Randy Orton def. Christian in a No Holds Barred Match (New World Heavyweight Champion)

LOS ANGELES – The WWE Universe was stunned to see Edge walk into the sold-out STAPLES Center to be in Christian’s corner for his World Heavyweight Championship match against Randy Orton.(PHOTOS)

But after the 11-time World Champion received a standing ovation from the more than 17,000 in attendance, the bigger surprise was when Edge berated his lifelong friend for how he won the World Title – through whining for rematches, hiding behind lawyers and eventually capturing the title by disqualification. Although proclaiming to be Christian’s friend until the day he dies, he walked out him, forcing him to fend for himself.

What ensued was a brutal No Holds Barred Match involving kendo sticks, steel ring steps, steel chairs, TV monitors, tables and metal garbage cans. After both Superstars inflicted pain and suffering on each other with all of the weapons at their disposal, it was a blistering RKO from Orton to Christian directly onto a set steel ring steps that ended the battle.

The victory was the culmination of an emotional war that has gone on for months between the two.

At Extreme Rules 2011, Christian captured the first World Championship in his 17-year career (PHOTOS), but then lost it to Randy Orton just five days later. After that heart-breaking night, he mounted a relentless quest to regain the title. At WWE Capitol Punishment (PHOTOS) and Over the Limit (PHOTOS), Christian failed to dethrone Orton. It wasn’t until Money in the Bank that Christian finally wrested the title from The Viper (PHOTOS).

How will Christian handle losing the title he so coveted? Who will be next to challenge WWE’s Apex Predator? Find out on Friday’s SmackDown at 8/7 CT on Syfy.