Adam Copeland Reacts to John Cena Paying Tribute With Iconic Spear on WWE SmackDown

The September 5 episode of WWE SmackDown saw John Cena paying tribute to Adam Copeland by hitting a spear in the same way as Copeland did. Following the spear, Copeland has now addressed the tribute.

While speaking on theScore, Adam Copeland talked about John Cena paying tribute to him on SmackDown by using the spear. Copeland said he saw the clip and found it fun, even joking about Michael Cole’s commentary.

Copeland explained that his rivalry with Cena came at the perfect time. Cena needed a strong heel, and Copeland needed a top babyface to work with, and from their very first match, their chemistry clicked.

Copeland compared it to his early matches with Eddie Guerrero, where it took several bouts to find that magic. With Cena, however, everything worked right away. Their characters were complete opposites, and both understood what they had to do to elevate each other.

The Rated R Superstar believes their feud solidified Cena as WWE’s top star and established him as a main-event player. Looking back, he considers that period one of the most important and enjoyable chapters of his career.

“I saw a clip a couple of days ago where he did the whole setup and everything. I was like, ‘We get it, Michael, you’re a shill.’ It’s super fun.

For John and me, we met at the perfect time. He needed a bad guy, and I needed a good guy—and it just clicked. You never know when that happens. Like with Eddie [Guerrero] and me, it took three matches to really click. But with John, from day one, it just worked.

Our characters were complete opposites. We both knew the assignment and were willing to do whatever it took to get each other over. John was already on his way to being the top guy, but I think our rivalry really stamped him as the guy, and it made me a main-eventer. I’ll always look back on that run fondly—the matches we had and the fun we shared.”

Cena’s spear tribute was more than just a cool moment, it reminded fans of the classic feud that helped define WWE in the 2000s. For longtime viewers, it was a nostalgic callback to one of the most epic rivalries of that era, as Cena’s retirement run nears its end.

How does the John Cena–Adam Copeland rivalry rank among WWE’s all-time greatest feuds? Do you think Cena’s tribute captured the magic of their classic matches? Sound off in the comments.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.

September 17, 2025 5:35 pm

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