Tag: Adam Copeland

Adam Copeland: Sting’s son Steven ‘looks the part’ of a pro wrestler

Posted on by Joseph Currier

If Sting’s son Steven Borden wants to become a pro wrestler, Adam Copeland thinks he’d be successful at it.

Borden has been training with Darby Allin and recently took part in a training session with Allin, Copeland, and FTR. After that experience, Copeland spoke with The Takedown and gave his thoughts on Borden potentially following in his legendary father’s footsteps.

“I think at Revolution there in Greensboro, he got a bit of the itch,” Copeland said. “He felt what it is. And once you feel that, man, it’s hard to walk away from that. It’s hard to go, ‘Wait, that wasn’t cool.’ You’re going to go, ‘That was really cool and really fun.’

“It’s a great gig. So I think he felt that. Also in terms of his physicality, I mean, he’s 6-3. He’s about 230 pounds. He’s probably sitting about eight percent body fat. He looks the part. He’s got a good head on his shoulders, very similar to his dad in how he conducts himself, which is a great thing.”

Steven and his brother Garrett both appeared for AEW during Sting’s retirement run and were part of his final match at AEW Revolution, where Sting & Allin defeated The Young Bucks. Copeland admits that there will be a lot of pressure on Steven if he decides to enter the business, but Copeland thinks he could handle it.

“I think now it’s really up to him,” Copeland said. “What does he want to put into it? Does he want to put in the work that it will take? Because you got to figure it. You might look at it and say, ‘Ok, an easier pathway into the business.’

“But once he’s in the business, there’s going to be a big spotlight on him, and with that comes extra pressures. You’re Sting’s son and trying to break out of that. But, he’s smart. He’s smart, and I think if he wants to do it, he absolutely could do it.”

Borden is a former college football player for the University of Kentucky. His final season was in 2014-2015.

The 50-year-old Copeland is recovering from a fractured leg that he suffered at AEW Double or Nothing this May. Copeland feels “really good” but doesn’t know what the timeframe for his return to the ring is.

Adam Copeland: ‘I don’t know what a timeframe is’ for return from injury

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Adam Copeland does not have a timeframe for his return to the ring after suffering a broken leg in a match in May.

In a new interview with Sports Illustrated, Copeland noted that he had just passed the three month mark since undergoing surgery to repair a broken tibia incurred when he jumped off the top of the cage in a barbed wire steel cage match against Malakai Black at AEW Double or Nothing in May:

“It feels really good. I got the surgery. I guess it was June 1, by the time I finally got the surgery done. So I guess yesterday was three months. I’ve never broken my leg before, so I didn’t know what that entails or what that entailed. With my Achilles, it was a process. This is not that which is good, because the Achilles, I was working eight hours a day on that thing. It became a full-time job and I got back in six months. But it was a lot of grinding of teeth. This isn’t that more than anything.”

Copeland said that he has a plate inserted in his leg:

“It’s trying to get the power back and flexibility from bringing your toes to your knee. That’s the last area that doesn’t want to go yet because the plate goes down to the ankle because it was a lower fracture. It was a lower tibia fracture, so the plate butts up against that ankle bone. I think that’ll be what I need to get through in order to be able to get all of that power back. I don’t know what a timeframe is. I don’t know any of that. I know that now I can walk, get in the ring, and move around a little bit, but I still feel the deficiency. So, I know I still have some work to do to return to where I need to be.” 

Daily Update: Sika, Adam Copeland, WWE 2K24

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered in this issue:

  • WWE sets gate record at Clash at the Castle, as well as a look at other metrics
  • Running down the news of the show
  • The Drew McIntyre angle
  • A look at the next two PPVs
  • What the other metrics tell us about the interest level for Clash
  • Why the Cung Le lawsuit that was thought to be settled hasn’t been ratified
  • What worried the Judge
  • What worries the lawyers on both sides
  • The real world and real life issues regarding the settlement
  • Update on Forbidden Door, All In and the Owen Hart tournament
  • Kevin Kelly talks suing AEW
  • The G1 Climax tournament
  • Key news notes on the tournament
  • Review of TripleMania in Tijuana
  • A look at this week’s episode of Who Killed WCW
  • The most detailed look at the ratings this past week for all the shows, quarters, competition and placings
  • CMLL Anniversary show note
  • Mistico anniversary week notes
  • Former WWE star now agent for AAA
  • Update on Giulia, Marigold and WWE
  • Notes on the death of one of Argentina’s top stars from the heyday
  • Shocker rehab notes
  • More on the shooting involving Shannon Ritch
  • Life of James Castle
  • TNA PPV rundown
  • AEW’s new Triller deal
  • Details on the Shane McMahon story going around
  • Attendance advances for all the upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • Streaming numbers for the week
  • International ratings
  • Update on McGregor vs. Chandler
  • Thoughts on Jake Paul’s next fight
  • New Wyatt Sicks news
  • Injury updates
  • Timeline of Hulk Hogan coming to WWF from AWA

This week’s Wresting Observer Newsletter back issue

Tuesday Update

WWE

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • Adam Copeland on Instagram posted an update on his foot injury: “The splint is off! More scars! 5 more screws and another plate. I’m becoming Robocop.”
  • Renee Paquette talks to Nyla Rose this week on Close Up with Renee Paquette.
  • The Huber family is donating 100% of the royalties from the upcoming Brodie Lee Reebok sneakers to Highmark Caring.
  • In an interview with Tokyo Sports, Tetsuya Naito said he would give his G1 Climax spot to Jon Moxley if he fails to win the IWGP World Heavyweight title at Forbidden Door. 
  • TMZ has more on the 2 Cold Scorpio stabbing incident, including images from the victim who required dozens of staples and stitches following the altercation.
  • A no rope death match between Matt Riddle and Sami Callihan is set for MLW Blood and Thunder on July 12.
  • PWInsider reported that UWN’s Dave Marquez is the new head of production for MLW, which is upgrading their production setup ahead of Blood and Thunder.
  • Stevie Richards is launching a podcast that debuts on Friday.
  • Mance Warner will defend the GCW World Championship in a ladder match against Blake Christian and Joey Janela on August 24.

Adam Copeland says doctor is ‘optimistic’ about fractured leg recovery

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Adam Copeland is taking a positive approach to his recovery from a fractured leg.

Copeland told Sports Illustrated that, while he expects rehab to be difficult, his surgery was successful and his doctor is optimistic about Copeland’s prognosis. A silver lining is that Copeland will be able to spend even more time with his family as he recovers from the injury.

“My Achilles tear a few years ago led to my most difficult rehab, and I’m expecting more of that,” Copeland said. “I’m 50. I know what’s in front of me. But the surgery was successful, and the doctor was optimistic because my bones are healthy.

“It’s my seventh surgery, so I know the drill. We’ll see how my body cooperates.”

A timetable for when Copeland will be able to make his AEW return has not been disclosed. For the next 8-10 weeks, he won’t be able to put weight on his injured leg.

The injury occurred at AEW Double or Nothing when Copeland faced off against Malakai Black in a barbed wire steel cage match for the TNT Championship. During a spot where Copeland jumped from the top of the cage, he landed feet-first and fractured his tibia. Copeland was able to finish the match despite being hurt.

Copeland explained to Sports Illustrated that his biggest concern with the spot was making sure that he didn’t hurt Black.

“My biggest concern when I got up there was, ‘How do I not crush him?’ I didn’t even consider getting injured,” Copeland said. “My take was if I jumped to the side, landed on my feet, and hit him with my arm but not my body, then the table would break just because of the sheer height. It happened exactly how I planned it.”

The risk of jumping off the top of the cage was an unnecessary one, Copeland admits. He feels he could have gotten the same mileage from the spot if he jumped off the top rope instead.

Copeland retained the TNT Championship against Black at Double or Nothing but had to vacate the title due to his injury. There will be a ladder match at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door on June 30 to determine the new champion. So far, Konosuke Takeshita and Mark Briscoe have qualified. The qualifying matches will continue this week with Jack Perry vs. Dustin Rhodes on Dynamite and Lee Moriarty vs. Dante Martin on Collision.

Adam Copeland on AEW Double or Nothing injury: You ‘live and learn’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Adam Copeland doesn’t expect to reinvent his character much during his time away from the ring.

At AEW Double or Nothing, Copeland suffered a fractured tibia while facing off against Malakai Black in a barbed wire steel cage match. He’s now starting his road to recovery after having successful surgery done earlier this week.

Copeland was a guest on Friday’s episode of Busted Open Radio. During the interview, he was asked about the mindset for his character going forward and if he’ll be starting a new chapter when he returns. The 50-year-old Copeland said that, at this point in his career, he thinks each injury adds something to his “grizzled vet” persona.

“Part of me goes, ‘Well, you recreate yourself.’ But each injury kind of adds itself to the character that I was already portraying, which — to be honest — is not that far removed from me at this point,” Copeland said.

“I don’t know how much I change, honestly. I think it’s just one more instance of, like, grizzled vet fighting back from another one.”

Copeland pointed to Chris Jericho’s new “Learning Tree” character as an example of successful recreation, but he doesn’t expect to follow a similar path right now.

“There’s something to recreation,” he said. “I just don’t know if this is the instance for that with me.”

Copeland’s fractured tibia happened when he jumped off the steel cage and landed feet-first while putting Black through a table. On Busted Open Radio, Copeland joked that it was “less a leap and more a fall.” Your brain tells you that you can do it, but — when you land — your body remembers it’s 50. He was hopeful the injury wasn’t too bad. It didn’t hurt too much, but the emergency room told him his leg was broken and he needed to get off of it.

Copeland admits that the risk he took jumping off the cage was not a necessary one. But he’s happy that he was able to finish the match and hopes it was a reminder of what Malakai Black and the rest of House of Black bring to the table.

“I think I could have got the same mileage if I did it off the top rope. So, live and learn. But at the same time, I finished the match,” Copeland said.

“Hopefully also throughout this story, it’s a reminder of what [Malakai] Black brings to the table. And kind of just let people understand, ‘Oh yeah, by the way, there’s this group of badasses that have an insane presentation.’ So, a few missions accomplished and a setback.”

A timetable for when Copeland will be able to return to the ring has not been disclosed. The injury forced him to vacate the TNT Championship. At Forbidden Door later this month, there will be a ladder match to determine the new champion. Konosuke Takeshita and Mark Briscoe have already qualified.

AEW’s Adam Copeland undergoes surgery for fractured tibia

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Former TNT Champion Adam Copeland is starting his road to recovery after undergoing surgery for a fractured leg.

Copeland suffered a fractured tibia during his barbed wire steel cage match against Malakai Black at AEW’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view on May 26. The injury happened during a spot where Copeland jumped off the cage and landed feet-first while putting Black through a table.

Two days after Double or Nothing, Copeland confirmed his injury and announced that he would need to undergo surgery. He then shared an update today revealing that the surgery has been completed. Copeland posted a video joking that, while he won’t be able to compete at AEW & NJPW’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view, he can walk through the “Forbidden Door” sign that he put on his gym.

“First day, first morning post-surgery, and I wanted to see what I can pull off,” Copeland said. “So right now I’m about to walk through the Forbidden Door. Since I can’t walk through the Forbidden Door of the pay-per-view and face someone from New Japan Pro-Wrestling, I can walk through [the Forbidden Door of the gym].”

Copeland showed himself getting ready to do some single-leg planks in the gym.

Due to his injury, Copeland was forced to vacate the TNT Championship. A new champion will be crowned in a ladder match at Forbidden Door on Sunday, June 30. Konosuke Takeshita is the first wrestler to qualify for the match.

A timeline for when Copeland will be able to return to the ring has not been announced.

Ladder match for vacant TNT Championship to take place at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A ladder match at Forbidden Door will determine the next TNT Champion.

On Wednesday, The Young Bucks and the rest of The Elite appeared on Dynamite and said that as a result of Adam Copeland’s broken tibia, he had to be stripped of the TNT Championship. They were about to award the title to Jack Perry when Christopher Daniels appeared and announced that Tony Khan has appointed him as an interim executive vice president. He rejected the idea of Perry being awarded the title and instead announced a series of qualifying matches will take place on AEW television that will lead to a ladder match at Forbidden Door that will determine the next TNT Champion.

Later, it was announced that Konosuke Takeshita will face Penta El Zero Miedo on Rampage this Friday in what will be the first TNT Championship eliminator match.

Copeland was injured at Double or Nothing this past weekend when he climbed to the top of a barbed wire steel cage and jumped off, landing feet first upon impact. He later revealed on X that he will need to undergo surgery to repair his tibia.

“My brain forgets what my body always seems to remember, a little late, is that I’m 50 and I need to make better choices,” he said in the video. “So, my body pulled the emergency brake on me the other night and I ended up fracturing my tibia, which is going to require surgery, don’t know the time frame on that yet.”

We’re Live, Pal: AEW Double or Nothing aftermath, WBD & AEW negotiations

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Photo via JJ Williams

It’s another episode of We’re Live, Pal which is also available for free on YouTube below.

Andrew Zarian and I opened up the show talking about all that was going on in Las Vegas last weekend.

We also discussed:

  • Adam Copeland’s leg injury
  • How to top Anarchy in the Arena next year
  • A Mercedes vs. Willow rewatch
  • WWE King & Queen of the Ring thoughts
  • Becky Lynch’s contract being up
  • Matt Belloni’s story on AEW TV negotiations

You can follow us on Twitter.

For website subscribers, you can click here to listen (sub needed).

Wrestling Observer Live: AEW TV deal notes, Copeland injury, more belts, RAW

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including all of the rumors about AEW TV contract negotations, the injury update on Adam Copeland and what was unusual about what happened, AEW talking about adding MORE BELTS, RAW notes and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Right Click to Download

Adam Copeland suffered broken tibia at AEW Double or Nothing

Posted on by Ian Carey

Adam Copeland is injured.

The 50-year-old jumped off the top of a steel cage and landed feet first during his match with Malakai Black at AEW Double or Nothing on Sunday. He posted a video to social media on Tuesday revealing he suffered a broken tibia that will require surgery.

“I’ve been feeling really good lately, been having so much fun in the ring and I got cocky, is I guess what it really comes down,” Copeland says in the video.

“My brain forgets what my body always seems to remember, a little late, is that I’m 50 and I need to make better choices,” he continued. “So, my body pulled the emergency break on me the other night and I ended up fracturing my tibia, which is going to require surgery, don’t know the time frame on that yet.”

Copeland continued to say he hopes to find out more next week regarding how long he’ll be out of action.

Copeland’s decision to jump off the cage on Sunday was addressed during the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio by our own Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez.

“He decided to jump off and land on his feet and that was a long way down, and he landed on his feet and it looked like he paid for it. It’s just one of those things, nobody should be jumping off a cage and landing on their feet, I don’t care how old you are.”

Meltzer also brought up that it was a particularly high cage they were using at Double or Nothing and a lower cage might not have been as bad.

“It was like he got up there and when he came down it was almost like, ‘I’m not sure what I’m going to do’ and that was, I think, the kiss of death,” Meltzer said. “Instead of splashing he decided that he would do this elbow but he didn’t want to do the full elbow and that’s what the problem was. If he had done the full elbow, he could have hurt his hip still, though.”

Gangrel aids Adam Copeland in barbed wire cage match at AEW Double or Nothing

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: Bryan Rose

Just when TNT Champion Adam Copeland appeared to be down and out at Double or Nothing, former Brood-mate Gangrel made his AEW return Sunday to play a role in Copeland leaving Las Vegas with his title.

Malakai Black’s House of Black teammates Brody King and Buddy Matthews came out during Copeland and Black’s barbed wire cage match to help Black. As the three men had wrapped Copeland in barbed wire and were ready to finish him off, the lights went out and began to flicker red.

King went over to a spot in the ring and was sprayed by something which turned out to be Gangrel. He then emerged through the mat and sprayed Matthews in the face as well. He punched Black and then delivered Impaler DDTs to both Matthews and King to take them out, leaving a window open for Copeland to spear Black.

Gangrel has made two appearances in AEW before, once in Matt Hardy’s Elite Deletion match at 2020’s Full Gear and again on a May 2022 Rampage, accompanying the Young Bucks to the ring when they were in a feud with the Hardys.

Copeland came out to Slayer’s “South of Heaven” with a modified entrance, complete with a Brood graphic.

The match itself was a violent spectacle that involved chairs and tables in addition to the barbed wire. At one point, Copeland wrapped Black in barbed wire on a table and then went to the top of the cage, leaping off with an elbow drop. However, Copeland’s legs went straight down into the mat. While he was able to work the rest of the match, he was noticeably favoring his left leg walking out with Gangrel at the match’s end.

The finish of the match came when Copeland had a crossface on Black while his head was wrapped with barbed wire, causing the bloodied Black to pass out.

Copeland’s reign started in March with Sunday’s win as the sixth of his second run with the title.

Adam Copeland challenges Malakai Black for AEW Double or Nothing

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Adam Copeland has challenged Malakai Black.

After defeating Kyle O’Reilly on Collision to retain the TNT title, Copeland appeared on Rampage behind steel and barbed wire. He mentioned his victories over Buddy Matthews and Brody King, and he next wanted to focus on Malakai Black, challenging him to a barbed wire steel cage match for the TNT title at AEW Double or Nothing on May 26 in Las Vegas.

Copeland has continued his feud with The House of Black following AEW Dynasty in April, when he lost a six-man tag team match to the stable, being pinned by Black. On Wednesday, Black said his goal would be to remind Copeland of the cold-hearted son of a b**** he was.

Copeland went on to defeat King in the main event of Dynamite. After the match, King attacked Copeland until O’Reilly came out for the save. Backstage, the two set up a title match for Collision, which took place in O’Reilly’s hometown of Edmonton, Canada.

AEW Collision live results: TNT Title match

Posted on by Suit Williams

A TNT title match is set for AEW Collision.

Saturday will see Kyle O’Reilly challenge Adam Copeland for the TNT title. After Copeland successfully defended the title against Brody King on Dynamite, all of House of Black attacked Copeland. O’Reilly, who previously promised he’d have Copeland’s back, came out for the save. Backstage, O’Reilly made it known to Copeland that he wanted a title match in his hometown of Edmonton, which Copeland agreed to.

Bryan Danielson will also return to the ring following his loss at AEW Dynasty, where he’ll team with Claudio Castagnoli against Top Flight. Danielson has been selling the effects of a Tiger Driver 91 that was taken during his Dynasty match against Will Ospreay.

Ospreay will also be in action on Saturday, taking on Lee Moriarty. Tommy Billington, the nephew of the Dynamite Kid, will make his AEW debut against Dax Harwood. Thunder Rosa will also take on Robyn Renegade, and the team of Brian Cage & The Gates of Agony will be in action.

Live coverage of Collision will begin at 8 pm ET on TBS. Rampage will air immediately after Collision at 10 pm ET.

We’re on the Superstation TBS, as the Blackpool Combat Club make their way to the ring to kick off another three-hour block of AEW television. Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness were on the call.

Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli defeated Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin)

A solid opener with a red-hot crowd. Danielson made his motivations for being in Anarchy in the Arena clear after the match, even if they were a bit generic.

The crowd in Vancouver was red hot in AEW’s debut in the market. The two teams traded offense until Castagnoli sent Darius into the ring post as we went to commercial. After the break, Darius drilled Danielson with a rope-walk Pele kick. Schiavone noted that this was the first time live pro wrestling had been on TBS on a Saturday since 2000.  

Dante got the tag and ran wild on Castagnoli, hitting a frog splash for a nearfall. Castagnoli snatched Dante up into a giant swing. Castagnoli locked on the Sharpshooter before Darius broke it up with an outside-in facebuster. The match broke down into a Pier Six brawl, ending with Dante hitting the Nose Dive for a nearfall. Danielson caught Dante with the Busaiku Knee before kicking Darius into a Sudden Death uppercut from Claudio. Claudio pinned Darius for the win.

Danielson took the mic and gave kudos to Top Flight. He noted that the first Anarchy in the Arena match almost ended his career, but he would fight in it again because he loved AEW. He said The Elite started AEW but doesn’t represent what AEW stands for anymore. The Young Bucks wanted to run the company like Tony Khan did, but they weren’t even here like Tony Khan would be. Danielson said that he loved AEW, and would do anything to protect it.

We got a recap of The Embassy turning on Swerve Strickland from Dynamite, seemingly at the behest of Christian Cage.

Will Ospreay defeated Lee Moriarty (w/Shane Taylor)

Ospreay continues to be one of the most consistently great wrestlers I’ve ever seen. He brings a top-star energy to AEW that not many others can bring. He gave Moriarty some convincing nearfalls before ultimately putting him away with the Stormbreaker, another finisher in his arsenal. The post-match attack from Taylor could set up another television match before the PPV.

International Champion Roderick Strong joined commentary, with The Kingdom joining him. Moriarty and Ospreay traded monkey flips until Ospreay sent Moriarty to the floor with a headscissors. Ospreay followed Moriarty to the floor with a house show dive as we went to break.

After the break, Moriarty caught Ospreay with a neck crank. Ospreay came back with a handspring kick that Strong had to admit was impressive. Ospreay hit a springboard forearm and teased the Tiger Driver but couldn’t go through with it. That hesitation allowed Moriarty to hit a Falcon Arrow for a nearfall. Ospreay caught Moriarty with a Cheeky Nandos kick before pulling him out of the corner into a Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall.

Shane Taylor got in the way of an Oscutter and ate a superkick for his troubles. Ospreay went for another Oscutter but Moriarty caught him in an armbar. Ospreay rolled his way free before knocking Moriarty out with the Hidden Blade. Ospreay stared down Strong on commentary as he hit the Stormbreaker to score the win. This was the first time Ospreay has used the Stormbreaker since coming to AEW full-time.

After the match, Ospreay stared down Strong before Taylor jumped Ospreay from behind. Taylor knocked Ospreay out with the right hand, allowing Strong to stand tall over Ospreay.

Tony Schiavone announced that Willow Nightingale would be defending the TBS Championship against STARDOM’s Tam Nakano at STARDOM Flashing Champions next Saturday, ahead of the Double or Nothing match against Mercedes Mone. We cut to footage of Mone throwing out the first pitch at the Red Sox game earlier today. The Sox beat the Nationals 4-2, no doubt inspired by Mone’s stellar first pitch. Nightingale and Mone will have a contract signing on Dynamite.

Brian Cage & Gates Of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) defeated Evan Rivers & The Voros Twins

Swerve looked like a boss here, getting his heat back from Dynamite by destroying both of the Gates of Agony.

These poor geeks got murdered by the former Embassy members, with Rivers getting pinned after the pendulum powerbomb. After the bodies were scraped out of the ring, Tony Schiavone asked Brian Cage why they jumped Swerve Strickland. Cage said that Swerve and Nana used them to get to the top, then left them hanging until they were needed. Cage said that they needed better leadership, leadership that the Young Bucks could give.

Swerve’s music hit, leading Cage to meet him on the ramp. But Swerve came out of the crowd with a chain and took out the Gates of Agony. Swerve took Cage out with a suplex before hitting the Swerve Stomp on both of the Gates. Swerve went to hang Kaun with the chain before Liona hit Swerve with a Pounce. Liona went for another Pounce, but Swerve caught him in the gut with a cinderblock. Swerve laid Liona across the ring stairs and hit a Con-Chair-To while staring down Cage on the ramp.

Swerve Strickland was in the back after the commercial. He tried to be the champion that he thought the company needed, but after being taken advantage of by Christian Cage, the EVPs, and the Mogul Embassy, he’s done being nice. He challenged Brian Cage to a singles match on Dynamite in his home state of Washington.

Daniel Garcia defeated KM

I like Garcia getting highlight wins, even if he’s not in a featured program at the moment.

Matt Menard joined commentary, as per usual with Garcia’s matches. KM overpowered Garcia to start and mocked Garcia’s dancing. Garcia quickly came back with strikes before powering KM up with a back suplex. Garcia got the quick submission win with a Dragon Sleeper.

We got a recap of the brawl to end Dynamite with The Elite and Team AEW after the announcement of Anarchy in the Arena.

Dax Harwood (w/ Cash Wheeler) defeated Tommy Billington

“Dynamite Kid” Tommy Billington came out to Rule, Brittania. He is the nephew of the original Dynamite Kid, Tom Billington. Harwood held serve early on, surviving some headbutts from Billington to keep control on the mat. After several shoulder block attempts, Billington finally took Harwood down with a shoulder block to send Harwood to the floor. Harwood dropped Billington with a back elbow after another exchange. Billington came back with a crossbody that sent both himself and Harwood crashing to the floor as the match went to a commercial.

After the break, Billington came off of the top rope with a crossbody to Harwood on the floor. Billington hit a missile dropkick as the crowd chanted Dynamite. No guys, this is Collision. Billington ran wild, hitting a top rope elbow for a nearfall. Harwood sent Billington to the top rope and hit a superplex. The two traded German suplexes before Harwood caught him with a Dragon suplex to shut him down.

Billington went for a pair of Owen Hart rollups, but Harwood caught him with a slingshot powerbomb to get the win. After the match, Harwood and Wheeler gave Billington props as the crowd gave him an ovation.

Tony Schiavone announced IWGP World Champion Jon Moxley & Bryan Danielson vs. Kyle Fletcher & Jeff Cobb for Dynamite, with Don Callis bringing the NJPW World TV Champion Cobb in to get revenge for Moxley injuring Powerhouse Hobbs on Dynamite a few weeks back.

In footage from after Dynamite, The Elite was backstage. Kazuchika Okada challenged Dax Harwood to a singles match and stormed off. Jack Perry noted that he was one of four Pillars of AEW last year, and he was miserable. He never felt more alive than he did now before promising that Team AEW was dead at Double or Nothing. The Young Bucks were getting started when Christopher Daniels passed by. Matthew got in his face for getting in their business during the brawl, telling him how he hired Daniels and how he should be thankful to him. Daniels got back in Matthew’s face, telling him that he earned this job and put his career to the side to help AEW grow. He threatened “Matt” to stay out of his face.

Christopher Daniels was backstage here, telling the Young Bucks that they forgot where they came from. Daniels was there on day one alongside the Bucks, Kenny Omega, and Tony Khan. Daniels didn’t appreciate being treated like a lackey and didn’t appreciate being punished by being put in the ring against the Young Bucks on Dynamite. Daniels chose Matt Sydal as his partner against the Bucks, noting that the punishment the Bucks wanted wasn’t the one they would get. It will be Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal vs. The Young Bucks on Dynamite.

After a commercial, FTR was backstage. Harwood noted that he had never been in a match as dangerous as Anarchy in the Arena was, but he was set for it. Harwood warned Kazuchika Okada that he had never wrestled anyone as dangerous as him. Harwood vs. Okada is official for Dynamite.

Thunder Rosa defeated Robyn Renegade

Commentary noted that this was the three-year anniversary of Renegade’s debut in AEW, also coming against Thunder Rosa. Renegade got some offense in, but Rosa got the submission win with a sitting Cobra Clutch.

Johnny TV & Taya Valkyrie were backstage with Lexy Nair. After razzing the Canucks, Johnny challenged PAC to a match on tonight’s Rampage. Johnny and Taya made out to end the interview.

We got a video from Hook. Hook had his hesitations about Chris Jericho. Jericho’s actions have pissed him off, but they haven’t surprised him. Hook warned Jericho that he didn’t know what Hook could be, but Hook would be happy to show him.

The announcers ran down the Dynamite card, announcing that Kazuchika Okada would be defending the Continental Championship against Dax Harwood. It was also announced that Will Ospreay would go one-on-one with Shane Taylor on next week’s Collision, which will be back on TNT.

AEW TNT Title Match – Adam Copeland defeated Kyle O’Reilly to retain

Copeland is having the run of his lengthy career here in AEW. This match was an excellent main event to Collision, with the Vancouver crowd getting behind O’Reilly as the match progressed. They got me with the guillotine counter to the spear deep into the match, but Copeland ended up retaining. I will say that I’m not a fan of the story with the House of Black potentially making Copeland too violent, as these are professional fighters paid to fight. Be as violent as you need to be, this is your job.

Tony Schiavone noted that this would be the 100th TNT Title defense in the championship’s history. We got a pop at the bell from the Vancouver crowd for the two Canadians, with O’Reilly being from Vancouver as well. O’Reilly worked on Copeland’s arm to start before Copeland sent him into the post Bret Hart-style. Copeland worked on O’Reilly’s midsection with a gutbuster, setting him up for the spear. O’Reilly caught Copeland with a guillotine choke off of the ropes, but Copeland lifted him onto the ropes before shoving him off the apron to the floor.

After a commercial, Copeland knocked O’Reilly off the top rope. Copeland went for an elbow drop, but O’Reilly caught him in an armbar to a huge reaction. Copeland reversed the hold into the Grindhouse before O’Reilly got to the ropes. Copeland caught O’Reilly with a gutbuster, but O’Reilly hit a McGuinness-style pendulum lariat to take him down as well.

O’Reilly hit a flurry of strikes before transitioning a back suplex into a leg bar. There was a great camera shot here of Copeland straining for the ropes before eventually getting the bottom rope to break the hold. The two men fought to the apron where O’Reilly dropped Copeland shoulder-first. O’Reilly hit a King Kong Knee Drop for a nearfall before locking on a Fujiwara armbar. Copeland stood up and hit a reverse DDT.

The two traded shots, with O’Reilly jumping out of the way of a spear before rolling Copeland up for a nearfall. Copeland kept O’Reilly close so he could lock on a Bully Choke, but O’Reilly countered into a cross-arm breaker. Copeland stacked O’Reilly up to get out of it before hitting another gutbuster. Copeland brought O’Reilly to the top rope, but O’Reilly brought him down with an armbreaker.

Copeland booted his way free, with O’Reilly going down hard from it. Copeland loaded up the spear, but O’Reilly caught him in a guillotine. Copeland stood up, laid in a liver punch, and dropped O’Reilly with an Impaler DDT. Copeland finally scored with the spear to get the win and retain the TNT Title. After the cut to Rampage, Copeland and O’Reilly shook hands to a standing ovation. Copeland held on a little too long, causing O’Reilly to stare him down. The announcers wondered if everything was ok with Copeland, and whether his schedule or the run-ins with the House of Black were weighing on him.

Adam Copeland says he was ‘really close’ to joining AEW before 2020 WWE return

Posted on by Ian Carey

Adam Copeland almost joined AEW before making his WWE return in 2020.

Copeland told Chris Van Vliet recently that he had “great discussions” with AEW back in late 2019 and was “really close” to joining the company.

Copeland said:

So when I first started talking to AEW, I wasn’t yet cleared. I had made it, we talked about it like the bosses of each video game level. But I still wasn’t cleared by company doctors, right? So once all of those clearances started to come, I was like, Oh, this is real now. Okay. So before I did anything, I had to go kind of get the final clearance needed for either company. But I had negotiated with everybody. I was like, Okay, here’s where I’m at, here’s what I’ve been told I can do and started the process. And then in going to WWE, and sitting down with Vince, he goes well, it’s got to happen here. At that stage, I looked at the equity built and it felt like having to start over, especially having to start over after having been gone for nine years felt really daunting, if that makes sense. It felt like at least with WWE that’s one thing off the table that I don’t have to worry about. I can come back and walk into the history of this character. I do feel like it needed to have happened there initially. I really do, if only for that Royal Rumble moment right before the pandemic hit and just feeling and experiencing that I’m happy the way it turned out.

Copeland was also asked about the possibility of extending his in-ring career if AEW were to offer him a contract extension.

He responded:

I mean, if I can still keep performing at a level, but more importantly a level that I can feel proud of. I just don’t want to get to a point where I’m like really struggling and just it’s like pulling teeth to get it done. I don’t want to do that. And thankfully, because of my career, I’m at a point where I don’t have to do that. I’m doing this because I just love it. 

Copeland continued to say that he doesn’t want to miss spending time with his family but he’s also hoping that his daughters see the hard work he’s putting in.

Copeland continued:

I also think, and I’ve talked to the girls about this, I’m hoping they see the work ethic and the work that I still put in to do this thing that I want to do even though I don’t have to do it. I’m hoping that they see that and can rub off and they pick up some lessons from that too.

But by the same token, I want to be here for everything for them. And I’ve been able to manage it and be around for the Shakespeare plays and be around to run drama club with Beth and take Lyric to her audition tonight. I’m still able to be there for those things. I haven’t missed a birthday. So it’s just a matter of being able to balance both so far. It’s possible.

In March, Copeland defeated his longtime friend Christian Cage in the main event of AEW Dynamite from their hometown of Toronto. When asked if he believes Cage is doing the best work of his career right now, Copeland responded:

I think so. And that’s only because I do feel like he was limited beforehand. Throughout the years, I think, again, you keep hitting the glass ceiling and some will break through, but I don’t think it was ever meant for him to break through and that has got to be frustrating.

When asked about Cage frequently mocking wrestlers for having dead relatives, Copeland said:

And I think that was a happy accident. I think like so many things that end up working. It just ended up being a happy accident and then you start to like go oh, well if this person will be that. And I am in virgin territory for that, never met my dad. Are you kidding? Like he’s gonna have a field day with this.

The full interview with Copeland is available below.

TNT title match, Bryan Danielson in action set for AEW Collision

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Adam Copeland will defend the TNT Championship against Kyle O’Reilly on the Saturday, May 11 Collision episode. The match was announced during Wednesday’s Dynamite in a backstage promo segment with both Copeland and O’Reilly.

Copeland defended his TNT title on Dynamite against Brody King in a No DQ bout, but King attacked Copeland after the match. O’Reilly made the save, then challenged Copeland for the title in the promo.

After making his return on Dynamite in the show-closing segment, Bryan Danielson is also set for action on Saturday’s Collision.

Danielson was announced Wednesday as the fourth member of Team AEW for an Anarchy in the Arena match at Double or Nothing later this month, teaming with Eddie Kingston & FTR against The Elite. As the two sides brawled to close Dynamite, Tony Schiavone announced on commentary that Danielson will return to the ring for the first time since last month’s Dynasty pay-per-view on Saturday’s show.

AEW will have a three-hour block of programming on TBS on Saturday, May 11 with a two-hour Collision, followed by a live Rampage.

The announced lineup for Collision:

  • TNT Champion Adam Copeland defends against Kyle O’Reilly
  • Bryan Danielson in action