BOSTON – In front of a capacity crowd in the TD Banknorth Garden, Edge stunned the WWE Universe by returning from Hell to become the new WWE Champion, defeating former champion Triple H and Vladimir Kozlov as a late entrant in the Triple Threat Match.

With Jeff Hardy out of action after being found unconscious in the stairwell of his Boston hotel earlier in the morning Kozlov and Triple H battled each other one-on-one. Just when it looked like the champion had Kozlov where he wanted him with a hard-hitting Pedigree, SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero interrupted the match to announce that it would indeed be Triple Threat – with Edge as the third competitor.

The WWE Universe had not seen any sign of life from Edge since Undertaker sent him to Hell at SummerSlam in a Hell in a Cell Match. But on this night, he was full of energy and unleashed on The Game with a vicious spear. Next, Hardy shocked the WWE Universe by running into the ring and attacking Edge. Then, Hardy jumped out of the ring to get a steel chair. He returned, knocking both Triple H and Kozlov to the canvas with angst-ridden chair shots to the head. A fired-up Edge took down Hardy with a spear. After the carnage, the Ultimate Opportunist capitalized, covering Triple H for the win.

Coincidently, the last time Edge won the WWE Championship was in a Triple Threat Match on Raw in July 2006, when he defeated John Cena and Rob Van Dam.

Edge’s victory ended the 12th reign of The King of Kings, who has held the WWE Championship since April.

The stunning course of events leaves the WWE Universe asking some compelling questions.

Exactly what happened to Hardy in his hotel? What will Triple H do to try and regain the gold? And what is the state of the relationship between SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero and her husband, Edge? Finally, how will Kozlov react to not winning the coveted gold he has been seeking?

Things are sure to be very interesting on Friday Night SmackDown.