Taking to Instagram today, Adam Copeland reflected on the six-year anniversary of his return to the ring at WWE Royal Rumble 2020.
Copeland (formerly known as Edge) had been retired for nearly a decade before coming back in that Rumble match. Because of neck issues, he was forced out of action from 2011-2020. He’s now been back for six years for a run that started in WWE and now has him with AEW. Copeland said he views all of this as a bonus — and everything that’s happened since his music hit during that Rumble match has been icing on the cake.
“I didn’t realize that today is six years to the day since I came back at the Royal Rumble. You know, for me, every second after that first ‘You think you know me’ at the Rumble in Houston has been a success, man. You know the story: I wasn’t supposed to do this, yet here we are six years later,” Copeland said
“If you had told me six years ago that I’d still be doing this after six years, I would have thought you were a little crazy. But, man, I’ve been so lucky. I feel like I got my dream career twice. I got to do it the first time, had to retire for nine years, and then get it back again. That’s good stuff. But I’m also a realist, and I know I’m coming close to the end here. So hopefully you’ve enjoyed this ride. If you haven’t, whatever. And if you have, great, little bit more to go.
“Thank you. Thanks for reminding me. Just reflecting — it’s been a four-decade career now. With everything that I did in WWE and then to move to AEW with a whole fresh slate of new opponents, and for six years now just been wrestling a lot of the talent that I never thought I’d get to but have been able to get in there with. So that’s been a blast, and I’m at a stage of life where I don’t do it unless it is a blast. So, yeah, anyway, thanks.”
Copeland last wrestled for WWE in August 2023. He’s now been signed to AEW for two-plus years, though he is currently off television amid an angle where his wife Beth (Beth Phoenix) was taken out by a piledriver from FTR.
More than two decades after releasing his first memoir, Adam Copeland is reportedly working on a follow-up.
First reported Wednesday by PWInsider Elite, their “publishing world” sources indicated the book will be released in October 2026 by HarperCollins. No other details were provided.
Copeland is currently with AEW, but hasn’t appeared on TV since right after September’s All Out, written off in storyline following Beth Copeland taking a spike piledriver from FTR. He has been working on acting roles like the second season of Percy Jackson & The Olympians that debuted last month in addition to a role in The Beekeeper 2 movie.
It would be Copeland’s second book with his first — Adam Copeland on Edge — coming out in 2004 from Simon & Schuster.
The 52-year-old has strongly hinted at his in-ring days coming to an end, saying in January 2024 that he was looking at “a two-year window.” That was before he missed a significant portion of the year with a fractured leg suffered during a cage match against Malakai Black at May 2024’s Double or Nothing.
John Cena acknowledged Adam Copeland (formerly known as Edge) twice on Friday night.
The first tribute to his former rival took place on WWE SmackDown in his United States title match against Sami Zayn. Cena used Kurt Angle’s Ankle Lock and Angle Slam, Kevin Owens’ pop-up powerbomb, and gave Zayn a spear during the match. On commentary, Michael Cole noted that the spear could be a tribute to Roman Reigns, while Corey Graves alluded to Copeland by mentioning a famous Canadian rival of Cena’s uses a spear as well.
Cena and Edge had 18 singles matches on WWE programming from 2006 to 2010, including 11 matches for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, four of which ended in a title change.
Cena posted an image of Edge to Instagram without any caption a few hours after SmackDown concluded on Friday night. His post is available below.
The much-anticipated reunion of Adam Copeland and Christian Cage will come at this month’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door — even if it’s unclear if they are on the same page.
The two will team for the first time in more than 14 years to take on Nick Wayne & Kip Sabian at the August 24th London, England, pay-per-view.
Copeland had picked up a DQ win over FTR manager Stokely Hathaway after Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler stormed the ring to prevent him from landing a piledriver. That ended the no physicality moratorium between Copeland and FTR (who asked for the clause.
The numbers game eventually caught up to Copeland. Harwood and Wheeler were about to finish him with a spike piledriver when Cage ran out with Copeland’s spiked 4×4 to run them off. Wayne then ran in with a chair, but Cage nailed it with the 4×4 to send Wayne running. (FTR was in the ring at All In: Texas when Wayne, Kip Sabian and Mama Wayne turned on Cage to begin with, and Wayne & Sabian took Cage out earlier this month with a conchairto.)
Copeland and Cage then eyed each other up and Cage handed the object to Copeland who then embraced Cage in a long hug. Cage eventually left the ring, looking at Copeland the entire way back.
It was Copeland who told Cage to “go find himself” at the aforementioned All In to help set the reunion back in motion. The last time they teamed up was as part of an April 2011 WWE SmackDown dark match.
The two longtime tag team partners and friends have been at odds since Copeland first joined AEW in 2023, feuding over the TNT title. Cage interjected himself into Copeland’s World title challenge of then-champion Jon Moxley at March’s Revolution, cashing in his anytime, anywhere title shot. He eventually was submitted by Moxley, costing Copeland the opportunity.
Current AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door card | Sunday, August 24 | London, England
AEW World Champion Hangman Page defends against MJF
AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against Swerve Strickland
AEW Tag Team Champions The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) defend against winner of Tag Team title eliminator tournament
Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. Nick Wayne & Kip Sabian
AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Athena
TBS Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Alex Windsor, CMLL TBD and Stardom TBD
TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher defends against Hiromu Takahashi
Lights out steel cage match: Darby Allin, Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi vs. The Death Riders (Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli), Gabe Kidd & The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)
Adam Copeland, aka Cope, posted a statement on Tuesday celebrating his 33rd anniversary in wrestling.
Copeland had his first match on July 1, 1992. He had begun training with Ron Hutchinson and Sweet Daddy Siki the year prior after winning free classes in an essay-writing contest run by The Toronto Star.
On Monday, Copeland posted to Instagram that he knows his career won’t last much longer, so he’s going to soak it all in while he can.
He wrote:
“On Canada Day 33 yrs ago I made my wrestling debut. In Oakland Raiders Zubaz and a pair of Converse. Nowhere to go but up. Since then, I’ve travelled the world. Literally. Everywhere you can think of. From Moose Landing to Monterrey, from Bloodvein to Bucharest. It’s been a long, fruitful, soul expanding, soul diminishing, amazing, frustrating, exhausting, exhilarating journey over 3 decades. The best part? I hear every one of you when I blast out of that entranceway and sing Metalingus at the top of your lungs. It’s never been lost on me what a privilege that is. Australia I’m lookin at you! It won’t last a lot longer so I’m gonna soak in every second. Thank you for coming along on this ride with me.”
Cope previously told Sam Roberts in January 2024 that he felt he had a “two-year window” left in his in-ring career.
The 51-year-old hasn’t wrestled since FTR turned on him after Rated FTR lost to The Death Riders at AEW Dynasty. Last week, Fightful reported that the plan had once been for Copeland to return in time for All In on July 12, where he would team with Christian Cage against FTR. However, Christian reportedly asked for the match to be delayed so that he can finish up his storyline with Nick Wayne.
WWE revived its attempt to maintain the trademark on Thursday, May 1. The USPTO notes:
“If the application was abandoned for failure to file a timely statement of use or a request for extension of time to file a statement of use, the application will be forwarded to the intent to use unit.”
The May 1 filing indicates WWE’s intent to maintain the trademark. The USPTO states:
“The trademark application has been accepted by the Office (has met the minimum filing requirements) and that this application has been assigned to an examiner.”
Copeland has been wrestling under his real name Adam Copeland, and his nickname Cope in AEW.
Well, not really, but a lot of people think Bryan doesn’t like certain people, and in pretty much every case they are wrong. So we’ll talk the Botchamania video with FTR and Undisputed Era, Triple H and wiener questions, why Bryan would enjoy living next door to Baron Corbin, how he and Punk had more in common then they’d like to admit, how to ask questions at press conferences, MAX numbers, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
It appears WWE doesn’t want Adam Copeland to use the name Edge when he returns to AEW.
WWE, through attorney Lauren A. Dienes-Middlen, filed to trademark the name for wrestling purposes on Monday, November 19, 2024, according to documents available on the US Patent and Trademark Office website.
The purposes of the filing are stated as, “Wrestling exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer rendered through broadcast media including television and via the internet or commercial online service; providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; providing information in the fields of sports via an online community portal.”
Copeland began wrestling as Edge upon making his WWE debut in 1998. He continued using the name until debuting for AEW in October 2023.
In an interview with Fox in 2022, Copeland spoke about how he came up with the name.
“I actually came up with Edge. I would have preferred Adam Copeland, but that wasn’t the way it really worked then, right? I was doing dark matches, and Don Callis and I were driving and the radio station, it was in Albany and it was ‘Edge 1-0-something,’ and growing up in Toronto, Edge 102 was always one of my favorite stations,” he said.
My Josh Nason’s Punch-Out pro wrestling year in review series begins its final descent with an extended look at October 2023.
Joining me is first-time guest Rich Fann of PW Torch and POST Wrestling.
Rich and I led off with the so-called Tuesday Night War between NXT and AEW that saw WWE bring in John Cena, Undertaker, Cody Rhodes, Paul Heyman and Asuka to ensure they didn’t lose to AEW’s Title Tuesday edition of Dynamite. We talk about what happened and some of the key learnings coming out of it.
We also delve into Paul “Triple H” Levesque being firmly entrenched as head of creative for WWE and what that meant for Vince McMahon in the new TKOverse.
After 25 years in WWE, Adam “Edge” Copeland found a new home in AEW, debuting at WrestleDream in Seattle. We talked about his debut and why it made sense for him to try something new.
We also talk the first-ever clash between MJF and Kenny Omega and the rest of the month in AEW.
Ronda Rousey made a surprise return to wrestling, so why didn’t it make a big impact? We discuss.
Plus, we cover the month in Impact Wrestling, Japan, and the junk drawer that covered all the other notable happenings.
I promise this is unlike any other year-end series you’ll hear or read, so catch up on the rest of the series in the archive and my MMA year in review series as well.
WWE’s chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque spoke to the media at a press conference following Saturday’s Fastlane pay-per-view.
Among the topics he discussed were Jade Cargill’s WWE debut, Edge’s WWE departure, the rise of LA Knight, the run that John Cena is on currently, plus business notes from Fastlane.
Among the highlights:
Triple H on when Jade Cargill can be expected to debut as a character —
“When she’s ready to blow the roof off of everything we do, right? There is one thing I am, it’s patient for stuff like this.”
“Her ability and her rise has been incredibly quick. This is a different system, this is a different level of everything. What doesn’t exist elsewhere, exists here. That opportunity for her to learn at a different level and get to a different place, that’s just the way it is.”
She’s ready for it all, she’s ready to dig in, she’s ready to work her ass off… But the thing you don’t want to do is you don’t want to put somebody in a position that they’re sort of ready for. You want to make sure they’re damn ready for it… No matter what happens, she’s gonna knock it out of the park. When is that? Not sure. Where is she gonna go? Not sure.”
“What a future.”
“I look forward to strapping the rocket on her.”
Triple H on Edge leaving WWE, signing with AEW —
“Time, right? The time was right for him, the time was right for us. I think he had an amazing career and an amazing sendoff here. I think he felt like he had done what there was to do, I think we sort of felt, ‘Yeah, I think you’re right,’ and I wish him the best.”
“I think he said it the other day, right? There’s no animosity here, there’s no hard feelings here. He’s doing what’s right for him and his family.”
“I’m happy for him. I’m very, very happy for him. I sent him that in a message, ‘I’m happy for [him] and proud of him, and happy for him.”
“If somebody feels like a different opportunity is better for them? Great, that’s wonderful. But the machine doesn’t stop for anyone.”
Triple H on the rise of LA Knight —
“Hard to imagine a year ago he was Max Dupri… We’re all pushing with him. We’re all pushing him up the hill too.”
Triple H on John Cena —
“I just want to say thank you to John. What he’s doing here, the run he’s doing, the moment that he’s givning people like LA Knight, that he’s giving people like Jimmy [Uso], Solo [Sikoa], there’s no experience like that in the world for them.”
“He doesn’t need to be here… You’re in different places in your life. To see John’s growth, but he always comes back to this. He doesn’t need to be here. He could be doing a lot of other things, maybe like resting or sleeping? I don’t know. He doesn’t seem to do either one of [those]. But he does it because he loves it.”
“He’s at an age, he’s doing a lot of other things. I would just say this to everybody out there: revel in it. I know I am. Because the appreciation level John should get is off the charts.”
“When he’s here, don’t criticize it, don’t overthink it, just enjoy it, because it won’t last forever.”
Triple H on WWE Fastlane business —
“Tonight is the highest-grossing event we’ve ever done in the city of Indianapolis. 14,529 loud, intense, crazy fans. We set gate records, we set sponsorship records here tonight.”
“We’re in one of the greatest runs in the history of this business right now.”
The “Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland will deliver his first promo in his new home on tonight’s AEW Dynamite Anniversary show as they celebrate four years as a company.
After making his surprise debut at WrestleDream, Copeland said that tonight, he will be “delivering the mission statement” for what his time in AEW will be. His first AEW match is scheduled for next Tuesday’s Dynamite.
Rey Fenix is scheduled to defend the International Championship against Nick Jackson of The Young Bucks in a rematch of one of the most critically acclaimed bouts in the history of Dynamite back in November 2019.
After never teaming before prior to last week’s Collision, Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega will pair up for the third time in five days as they face Sammy Guevara & Konosuke Takeshita.
Bullet Club Gold’s Jay White & Juice Robinson will also share some thoughts as part of tonight’s show.
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The 4 Year Anniversary of AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz as we go backstage to Renee Paquette standing by with Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega. Paquette mentions 4 years ago they were on opposite sides of the ring and Jericho said it’s hard to believe now they are partners. Adam Copeland walks into the shot and said maple syrup should be flowing with how much Canadiana is here. Copeland said it’s always good to see Jericho, while Omega said Copeland’s debut had him “on the edge of his seat” and shook hands with Copeland saying if he needed anything, just ask.
Rey Fenix (w/Penta El Zero Miedo & Alex Abrahantes) defeated Nick Jackson (w/Matt Jackson) for the AEW International Title
(A rematch from the 8th episode of Dynamite where these two had an absolute classic. The second half of this match was excellent, but more was told this time around with Fenix selling of his back earlier on in the match. Jackson had his close near falls, but Fenix got the victory and really had to be checked on post match by Penta & Abrahantes. Excalibur did mention before the match started the theory of how the holder of the International title might just be snake bitten with injuries.)
A very evenly fast paced back and forth led to a series of strikes and near falls. Fenix tried a fireman’s carry, but crumbled, as his back gave out, with Penta & Abrahantes checking on him. Jackson zoned in and tried for a sunset bomb on the floor, Fenix countered into an arm drag. Jackson was dumped over the barricade, but Fenix missed a barricade walk kick and Jackson hit a hurricanrana off the railing. Jackson connected on a backstabber in the corner, but missed the follow up running boot on the apron, smacking the post instead. Fenix swept the leg and spiked Jackson on the apron leading to a commercial.
The match picked up speed once returning from picture in picture, as Jackson connected with two superkicks, but Fenix kipped up and both collided on high kicks into the double down. Fenix hit a rolling hurricanrana into a pin attempt, but Jackson tried to answer with his moonsault off the apron outside, tweaking his ankle in the process. Fenix tried a rolling cutter, but Jackson countered with a cutter of his own as they teased a double countout. Back inside, Jackson spiked Fenix with his slingshot face buster, as he signaled for a BTE Trigger, but Fenix put on the brakes. Both men showed off unreal agility as they pulled one another up to the top rope, as Jackson hit an avalanche cutter for two.
Jackson connected on a Poison Rana and bounce back Canadian Destroyer for another close near fall. Running knee strikes landed flush, as did the BTE Trigger to the back of the head, but Fenix again kicked out. Fenix blocked a superkick, hung it up in the ropes, hit a double stomp and Frog Splash for two. The spinning sole butt in the corner hit, but Jackson countered the Fire Thunder Driver into a roll up, which Fenix in turn countered for the flash pin.
-Footage of Adam Cole putting off his surgery to visit Roderick Strong at his home is shown. The audio for this was really bad, as Strong was still in his hospital gown and wheelchair with Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as they presented Cole with a scooter to play around with. Strong & Cole chased each other around Strong’s house as Taven pet a giraffe stuffed animal. Cole asked what the emergency was and it was moving furniture, which Cole did on his one leg. Strong said he loved what Cole did with the place, it’s unique just like Cole. Strong said Cole couldn’t leave just yet and still needs Cole’s help, ending the video. Again, this was funny, but the audio was awful.
Wardlow defeated Griff Garrison via TKO
A surprise return here, as a very serious Wardlow mowed down Garrison immediately with shoulders to the midsection and boots in the corner. Five powerbombs led to Paul Turner calling the match, as Wardlow left through the crowd. It should be noted, Wardlow didn’t play to the crowd at all while doing his powerbomb symphony.
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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Konosuke Takeshita & Don Callis, who said the AEW foundation has been shook to its core since Sammy Guevara pinned Chris Jericho at WrestleDream that the quack doctors wouldn’t clear Guevara tonight. Thanks to the recommendation of Will Ospreay, Callis has named Kyle Fletcher as Guevara’s replacement. Callis said no one remembers who wins the battles; they remember who wins the war, a war that Callis will win.
-Excalibur told us about the audio issues TBS had during the Adam Cole & Kingdom segment, so they re-aired it with corrected audio this time.
The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass defeated The Butcher, The Blade & Kip Sabian (w/Penelope Ford)
(I have no idea if this was actually for the Trios Titles, as this match was pretty much there for Excalibur to plug the matches upcoming for Title Tuesday next week. That included the addition of Swerve Strickland vs. Bryan Danielson and Rey Fenix vs. Jon Moxley 3 for the International Title.)
Butcher, Blade & Sabian tried to attack at the bell, but the brawl spilled outside, which allowed The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass to scissor in the ring as the match officially started. Butcher & Blade took the fight to Caster, as Sabian followed with a springboard moonsault to the floor on both Caster & Bowens heading to commercial.
Caster was isolated the entire break before Bowens made the hot tag immediately when they returned. The match broke down soon after, allowing Bowens to hit Scissor Me Timbers on Blade and a springboard Sabian with a superkick. Bowens & Caster hit their over the top slam on Sabian to get the win.
-The final installment of Toni Storm: Portrait of a Star is shown with Storm telling RJ City he doesn’t know what it’s like to live in the spotlight, something everyone tries to take away from you. Storm sits awake at night wonder if she still has it, as City breaks the news to Storm that she isn’t even old, as Storm realizes she’s timeless. This was absurd and I loved every second of it. We’re informed Timeless Toni Storm premieres tonight.
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Juice Robinson & The Gunns make their way to the ring after footage was shown of Switchblade Jay White being laid out last week, as speculation of who was responsible and who was wearing the familiar MJF devil mask. Austin Gunn said it was Story Time with the Bang Bang Gang and ran down MJF’s promo last week against White, saying the reason MJF jumped Switchblade last week was because he was scared. Robinson demanded MJF come to the ring if he’s a man.
MJF came to the stage, started an Ass Boys chant and called Robinson “Talentless Taint”, which Robinson replied he had a rock hard taint, something I can’t believe I just typed. MJF conducted a duel chant of the nicknames and rattled off a list of the horrible things he’s done in his AEW career, involving throwing Chris Jericho off a cage, whipped Cody Rhodes, injured kids during dodge ball and called Tony Khan a f’n mark. MJF didn’t attack tofu Jay White and challenged Bullet Club Gold to a Stockton Street Fight. MJF hit the ring and the heels bailed long enough for Switchblade Jay White to appear behind MJF and lay him out with a Blade Runner. The Bang Bang Gang stood over MJF as White left with the AEW World Title.
White took the microphone on stage and said the AEW Title on his shoulder felt nice. MJF’s cheap tricks won’t work with him and said he’s not fooling anyone when saying he wasn’t responsible for White’s attack. They know the real MJF, a dirty, pathetic, liar and a slimy, gutless, coward. AEW needs an Elite champion, something MJF is not and issued a challenge for November 18th at Full Gear for the AEW World Title. MJF accepted the challenge and the main event for Full Gear is set.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with HOOK & Orange Cassidy, who said they were close to winning their match at WrestleDream, but HOOK is still a great champion. HOOK said it was Cassidy who should be getting the title shot against Fenix next week instead of Moxley. Cassidy said yeah, but Moxley was champion for about 3 weeks, while Cassidy was champion for…11 months. Everyone stood there awkwardly eating chips, except Paquette, who Excalibur told us prefers ketchup chips.
(I was worried this would be a quick TV match, but luckily it went two commercial breaks, so we ended up in a very solid match. Similar to his showing at WrestleDream, I thought Kyle Fletcher was a standout in this and hope, if Mark Davis is out a lengthy time, continues to get shown on TV. The post match was the bigger story here, as Don Callis appears to have a new Family member and it will only benefit that man as a result.)
Callis joined commentary, as we’re informed Kyle Davis suffered an injury at the PPV and wishes him a quick recovery. Jericho & Omega made fast tags early to isolate Takeshita, who was dropped with a double suplex. Takeshita did a series of ducks of clothesline attempts and hit a Takeshita-line to gain control heading into commercial.
Right when they returned from break, Jericho hit the Lionsault on Fletcher and make the hot tag to Omega, who ran wild with Polish hammers. Fletcher in fact escaped You Can’t Escape, but Takeshita couldn’t say the same, as Omega hit the rolling fireman’s carry followed by a corner backstabber on Fletcher. Omega & Takeshtia traded shots until Fletcher blindsided Omega with a Snap Dragon. Takeshita & Fletcher traded Helluva Kicks and Blue Thunder Michinoku Drivers for a double two count. Omega fought off a Tombstone into a Snap Dragon, as a groggy Jericho made the tag, unloaded ten corner punches and corner hurricanrana on Fletcher. Takeshita flew in with a clothesline, Omega hit a pump knee and Fletcher hit multiple thrust kicks and brainbuster for a complete reset. Fletcher & Jericho had a striking battle until both colliding on a double clothesline, which led us to our second commercial break of the match.
Jericho had the Walls of Jericho locked on Fletcher and it took multiple Takeshita boots to break it up. Omega made the tag and had a slugfest with Fletcher, who held his own initially, but a knee lift, powerbomb and charging knee got two. Takeshita put a stop to a V-Trigger, but suffered a knee to the back and Snap Dragon. Fletcher tried a Michinoku Driver, but Omega shoved him into a Judas Effect, as he fell back into One Winged Angel for the win. Callis is screaming how Fletcher screwed him and his family.
As Callis was trash talking from the stage, Jericho & Omega were blindsided by Powerhouse Hobbs, as he laid out Jericho with spinebuster. Omega was tossed to the floor, viciously beaten down before being launched into the third row. Hobbs trapped Omega head first between a railing before heading back to the ring where Callis & Takeshita taped Omega to the ropes. Jericho tried saving Omega, but Hobbs cracked him in the ribs with a chair. Omega’s hand actually came free from the tape, so Hobbs & Takeshita held him while Callis gave a chair shot to the head. Excalibur informed us after the opening match, Nick Jackson had to be taken to the hospital, as Matt Jackson & Hangman Page left with him, so Omega didn’t have his Elite partners to save him.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with MJF in the trainer’s office and asks how he’s feeling when The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass walked in from behind. Caster started massaging MJF, who snapped and said he’s had enough of Caster tweeting and stalking him. Caster wanted a scissor, but MJF told him to get lost. MJF then called Adam Cole, but his message went to voicemail, as MJF looked dejected.
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-A vignette of Samoa Joe is shown saying he knows what it takes to be a champion and he’s very satisfied, as he’s been a champion every place he’s been. That lies the problem, saying he’s focused, hungry and while MJF earned his respect, everyone needs to realize when Joe is hungry, he’s going to eat.
“Timeless” Toni Storm defeated Skye Blue
(This was deemed the debut of “Timeless” Toni Storm, who continues to be one of my favorite characters in all of wrestling. She’s fully committed to this new character and I hope this ends up with her regaining the Women’s Title or even the TBS Title down the line. I think the evolution of this character is just getting going, I can’t wait for what’s next.)
The black and white screen is shown, as Storm got her Hollywood starlet entrance, as Taz said she’s timeless and going to live forever. Storm is so timeless she has no time to worry about how her makeup is smeared and wanted to shake hands with Blue, but instead hit a short arm lariat. After a few hair mares, Storm posed for the crowd before Blue shoved her down and Storm was insulted. Blue went up top, but was cut off and Storm hit a hip attack to the floor and literally threw it to commercial saying “we’ll be right back after these very, very important sponsors.”
Blue spun out of Storm Zero into a roll up for two and lit up Storm with forearms. Blue followed with a rising up knee and enzugiri before going to the top for a high cross body for another near fall. Storm slipped through Skye Fall and hit a sitout chokeslam bomb for two. Storm was insulted by the two count and ate a Blue thrust kick as a result. Storm answered with a snap German, posed in the corner saying she’s ready for her close-up, complete with a zoom in, before hitting Sweet Cheek Music and Storm Zero for the victory.
-Stokely Hathaway is backstage with Renee Paquette and informed Eddie Kingston, since he’s the commissioner of Ring of Honor, there will be a 4 Way on Rampage to determine who gets the next shot at the ROH World Title. Hathaway informed Kingston he will have to be on commentary for that match, as Ring of Honor needs a World Champion who smells like Tom Ford, not Burger King & Newports.
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Adam Copeland addresses All Elite Wrestling
Tony Schiavone welcomed Copeland to the ring to a massive ovation from the Stockton crowd. Copeland said Schiavone’s voice was the soundtrack to his childhood, but politely asked him to hit the bricks. Copeland said it was fun hearing chants of Adam, something he’s never heard before. Years ago he was told he’d never wrestle again, but it’s 2023 and he’s standing in an AEW ring. Copeland said the AEW World Title would sure look good around his waist and lists many first time matches he could have, including Jon Moxley, Kenny Omega, Miro, Powerhouse Hobbs, Jay White & Juice Robinson. The main reason he’s in AEW is that he sat down with his family, asking if he should retire, which his daughter, Lyric, said he should go and have fun with Uncle Jay. Copeland calls Christian Cage to the ring and the TNT Champion obliges.
Copeland said for 40 years, they have been best friends, it’s why they got into professional wrestling. Copeland said he knows Cage wonders why he did what he did at WrestleDream and said he saw Cage standing over Sting, someone Cage idolized as a kid. Cage was Sting, while Copeland was Lex Luger growing up and he couldn’t stand by watching Cage Con-Chair-To Sting. Copeland said Nick Wayne & Luchasaurus will drop Cage like a bad habbit once they soak up all his wrestling knowledge. For the first time in over 20 years, it’s time for Copeland & Cage to team together again and face teams like FTR & The Young Bucks, showing people why they’re one of the greatest tag teams of all time. Copeland wants to end their careers as a tag team and show what they’re capable of.
Cage took the microphone, hugged Copeland and said “Go F Yourself” before walking off. Cage soaked in the boos from the crowd on the ramp and reminded Copeland of what he’ll be up against next week on Dynamite. Luchasaurus & Nick Wayne walked to the stage and had a stare down to end the show.
AEW Rampage 10/6/23
· Best Friends & The Hardys vs. Jake Hager, Daniel Garcia, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker
· Kris Statlander & Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose & Marina Shafir
· Johnny TV vs. Komander vs. Lince Dorado vs. Penta El Zero Miedo with the winner getting a ROH World Title shot
AEW Collision 10/7/23
· FTR defend the AEW Tag Team Titles against Ricky Starks & Big Bill
· “Timeless” Toni Storm takes on Kiera Hogan
AEW Dynamite: Title Tuesday 10/10/23
· Adam Copeland makes his AEW debut against Luchasaurus
· Swerve Strickland vs. Bryan Danielson for the #1 Contendership of the TNT Title
· Rey Fenix vs. Jon Moxley for the International Title
· Saraya defends the AEW Women’s Title against Hikaru Shida
Adam Copeland has numerous future opponents in mind now that he is in AEW.
Copeland told Sports Illustrated recently that he and WWE had ‘reached a place where we’d done all we could do together.’ However, future matchups in AEW against wrestlers such as Darby Allin, Sting, Kenny Omega, and Will Ospreay have the 49-year-old excited about the future, as does the possibility of wrestling for NJPW.
“I’ve never wrestled at Wrestle Kingdom,” said Copeland. “I’ve never wrestled at Tokyo Dome. How about a match against Kazuchika Okada? That would be pretty cool. I’m pretty excited by that. How about Jon Moxley? Hell yeah. A singles match in AEW against Bryan Danielson? Miro? Claudio Castagnoli? Kenny Omega? Will Ospreay? Adam Page? Chris Jericho? Malakai Black? FTR in a tag? Teaming with Darby against the Young Bucks? Facing Darby? Facing Sting? A promo battle with Eddie Kingston? The possibilities, they’re keeping me awake at night. These new matchups are all super exciting. It all starts next week against Luchasaurus.”
“The realization fully hit when I was staring at Sting in the ring,” he continued. “I know WWE like the back of my hand. I know Edge. I don’t know AEW. It’s new to me. That is very exciting for me. It’s like starting from scratch, but with a lot more experience.”
One potential future opponent for Copeland in AEW is not a new matchup at all. Copeland confronted his longtime friend, tag partner, and rival Christian Cage at WrestleDream. The prospect of him working with Cage again was something Copeland’s daughters were particularly excited about.
“My girls helped me see clearly on this decision. They love the idea that I get to work with Uncle Jay [Reso, Christian Cage’s real name], who is my best friend. My girls made it all make so much sense for me.”
Copeland’s first non-WWE match in 25 years has been scheduled for next Tuesday’s AEW Dynamite against Luchasaurus. The show has been bumped from its usual date due to coverage of the MLB playoffs. Copeland is scheduled for a promo segment on tonight’s show.
“I am so thankful for every aspect of my career, and I’ll be forever thankful for the WWE,” said Copeland. “It was the only place I wanted to work. We reached a place where we’d done all we could do together. And I guarantee you this–they’re not mad. I’m not mad. I’ve received so many texts from the office, from the travel department, from the talent relations department, from the music department, from the performers, from the big suits, and none of them are mad. They’re happy for me. And I’m happy. They’re going to continue to crush it, too. And I have more of an opportunity to help the entire wrestling business in AEW.”
Though she isn’t part of the company, Beth Phoenix is still playing some role in Adam Copeland’s AEW run.
Copeland confirmed to Bleacher Report’s Chris Mueller that Phoenix voices the “You think you know him” at the beginning of his AEW theme music. Copeland and Phoenix, who have been married since 2016, recorded the clip for Copeland’s music themselves.
“I don’t know if this counts as breaking news or whatever, but I was able to confirm with him today that not only is the voice at the beginning of Adam Copeland’s AEW entrance music that of Beth Phoenix, but that it was Edge and Beth who recorded the clip themselves,” Mueller wrote on social media.
Copeland retained “Metalingus” by Alter Bridge as his AEW theme song. It was also his music in WWE. The opening from Phoenix is a new addition to the theme.
Copeland and Phoenix are both WWE Hall of Famers. Copeland was inducted in 2012 and Phoenix was inducted in 2017.
While speaking at the post-WrestleDream media scrum following his AEW debut. Copeland was asked if we could see him and Phoenix work together in AEW. Copeland said he doesn’t know about the possibility of that in the foreseeable future, but Phoenix is always vital to his work as a sounding board.
I mean, any time I get to be close to Beth obviously I’m gonna be super excited about that. I don’t know about the possibilities of that in the foreseeable, but I love being around her obviously.
And we’ve had a blast when we did get to work together. But where she will be instrumental without everyone knowing it is she’s my sounding board. So if you’ve seen me do something, or you see something that you think worked, it was always bounced off Beth and then she always gives me better ideas back. It’s kind of amazing to be married to a Hall of Famer, it’s pretty cool… who can suplex you.
In WWE, Copeland and Phoenix teamed together twice in mixed tag matches. The couple has two daughters together.
Copeland is scheduled to appear on both AEW Dynamite and Collision this week. His AEW in-ring debut will be against Luchasaurus at Dynamite Title Tuesday on October 10.
Adam Copeland expects to end his full-time in-ring career in AEW.
After nearly three decades with WWE, Copeland (Edge) made his AEW debut at WrestleDream this past weekend. Copeland arrived in AEW by saving Darby Allin from an attack by Christian Cage, Luchasaurus, and Nick Wayne.
Copeland was interviewed by CBS Sports following his debut. Copeland was asked if he thinks this will be his last full-time run as a performer.
“I think that’s a very safe thing to say because I know how much work it’s going to take to be able to pull it off,” Copeland responded. “I know that. I’m not in any way trying to fool myself into thinking I’m just going to trot through this whole thing.
“It’s going to be hard. It’s going to be a lot of hard work. I enjoy hard work. I always have. It’s how I’m wired. It’s what I was born with. It’s in my DNA. So that’s super fun. But I’m also a realist and I understand that I’m not going to be able to maintain it for a super long time.”
On a SmackDown episode from Toronto this August, Copeland celebrated the 25th anniversary of his WWE debut. The final match on Copeland’s WWE contract took place that night. He defeated Sheamus in their first-ever singles match against each other.
Copeland told CBS Sports that retirement was a “very, very real option” as he got closer to the end of his WWE contract.
“As I got closer to the end of the deal, retirement was a very, very real option. It was not off the table,” Copeland said. “I really sat with the idea of retirement because I truly thought like, ‘Man, WWE gave me that night. I don’t know how that gets topped.’ And that’s still in my brain.
“But I guess now it’s like, ‘OK, how can I try and top it in this new environment.’ Honestly, that Toronto show was a send-off of that character and it was the perfect way for that character to go out. Wrestling a guy that I’ve never wrestled that I always wanted to. It was just so much fun in there. That night, I’ll never forget it. I’ll always have that night with me. I told Sheamus that too. That will be one of the most special nights in my career, always.”
Being able to work with Christian, his best friend and longtime tag team partner, was a key factor in Copeland deciding to go to AEW. In the CBS Sports interview, Copeland said his perfect world would be ending his career with Christian.
“I want to try and maximize what I still have left,” Copeland told CBS Sports. “If that’s one year, if that’s two years, I want to do it as much as I can while I still feel like I can. I know that’s going to be hard and I know that’s going to take a lot of work physically. I know there’s a different fallout now, but I know all of those things and I really just want to weigh the glory of this thing as much as I can.”
Several trademarks were filed on the day of Adam Copeland’s AEW debut at WrestleDream.
Wet Yeti, Inc filed to trademark “Ledgend,” “The Iconoclast,” “The Rogue,” and “Cope” on October 1. The filings were submitted through attorney Michael E. Dockins.
The US Patent and Trademark Office does not currently have any recent filings for “Rated R Superstar,” with the latest trademark on the name having been abandoned by WWE in May 2020. However, WWE continues to hold an active trademark for the name “Edge.”
A trademark for “Edge & Christian” was abandoned by WWE in 2003.
The Rated R Superstar Adam Copeland has arrived in #AEW!
No trademarks have been filed for Copeland’s old independent wrestling name, Sexton Hardcastle.
The stated purposes of the trademarks filed on October 1 are below:
“Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; Providing online interviews featuring a professional wrestling and sports entertainment personality in the field of professional wrestling and sports entertainment for entertainment purposes”
