Browsing: Copeland

WWE Has “No Interest†In Bringing Adam Copeland Back For John Cenaâ€s Retirement Match

John Cenaâ€s farewell match is set for December 13 at Saturday Nightâ€s Main Event in Washington, D.C., and WWE already knows who they want in the ring with him—and itâ€s not Adam Copeland. Despite speculation and fantasy booking from fans and pundits alike, WWE has made its position clear: theyâ€re not looking to bring Copeland back for any kind of special appearance, even on the biggest stage of Cenaâ€s final match.

The update came during the October 23, 2025 episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, where Dave Meltzer addressed David Otungaâ€s recent comments suggesting WWE could offer Andrade to AEW in exchange for one night with Copeland as Cenaâ€s last opponent. According to Meltzer, the idea isnâ€t just unrealistic—itâ€s completely off the table.

“They already decided what theyâ€re doing for Cenaâ€s retirement and Adam Copeland? They donâ€t want Adam Copeland. Why would they want Adam Copeland to begin with? Cena might want him, but you know that oneâ€s not happening, and thereâ€s nothing in that direction.â€

Meltzer added that Copelandâ€s recent absence from AEW is unrelated to WWE, confirming the former Edge simply left to focus on acting projects and hasnâ€t been in talks with WWE for any sort of return.

“I guess some people havenâ€t told people that he just left to do some acting work and itâ€s got nothing to do with WWE or being Cenaâ€s last opponent.â€

Even if AEW and WWE were in the business of talent trading—which theyâ€re not—thereâ€s zero indication WWE has any interest in bringing Copeland back. Internally, theyâ€ve already selected GUNTHER as Cenaâ€s final opponent, and any talk of rewriting that plan seems to be just speculation with no foundation.

At this point, itâ€s clear: WWE has closed the door on Adam Copeland, and he wonâ€t be part of John Cenaâ€s final chapter.

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

Would you have liked to see Adam Copeland face John Cena one last time? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.

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Barber’s evaluation of Kyle Fletcher after Hangman loss, Kris Statlander after her big unexpected win, MJF after losing to Briscoe, Copeland & Christian

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Kyle Fletcher

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HOUSEKEEPING

• Tony Khan officially announced the addition of AEW Womenâ€s Tag Team Titles. He didnâ€t specify when inaugural champions will be crowned, but he did have Renee Paquette show off the new belts.

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All Out is in the rear view mirror and WrestleDream is on the horizon. First, though, Dynamite will celebrate its sixth anniversary next week. Letâ€s break down where things stand ahead of that milestone.

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A Rough Night for the Family

Latest Developments

Kyle Fletcher came up short in a fantastic match with “Hangman” Page, Josh Alexander & Hechicero failed to win the AEW Tag Team Titles, and tension continued to brew Konosuke Takeshita and Kazuchika Okada as the latter retained his Unified Title in a not-so-great night for the Don Callis Family.

Analysis

The DCF’s night began midway through the PPV with Kazuchika Okada defending his Unified Title against Konosuke Takeshita and Mascara Dorada in a sensational three-way match. Dorada, wrestling his third match in three days, was the stand out in this one, hitting a plethora of incredible lucha spots throughout. He simply refused to get lost amidst the larger story of Okada and Takeshita each trying to prove their superiority. I didnâ€t love that Okada and Takeshita shared a ring before they had a one-on-one match, but this match did a good job threading the needle and building up interest in the eventual encounter.

Hechicero and Josh Alexander were among four teams in the four way ladder match in the semi-main event. Iâ€ve always believed ladder matches should only be used in specific situations, none of which this match met, but thereâ€s no doubt this match was great.

One of the scarier spots of the match came when “Speedball” Mike Bailey executed his moonsault double knee drop onto Hechicero who was stretched across a ladder. Iâ€m not sure what got the worst of it, Speedballâ€s shins or Hechiceroâ€s neck. In the end, Bandido took out the DCF members with a top rope moonsault with a ladder in his hands before ascending another ladder to retrieve the belts for his team.

The show closed with Kyle Fletcher challenging “Hangman” Page for the AEW Menâ€s World Title. If there were any doubters who believed Fletcher didnâ€t belong in the main event, he absolutely proved them wrong. The match was 38 minutes but never dragged. Champion and challenger beat the hell out of each other. Fletcher targeted Hangmanâ€s taped up neck which Fletcher injured in a show closing attack last Wednesday. He hit a brainbuster through the timekeeper’s table and then another in the ring, but Hangman kicked out.

Thatâ€s when he started to get frustrated and make mistakes. It eventually caught up with him as Hangman reversed an attempt at the top rope brainbuster into a top rope Dead Eye which he followed up with a Buckshot lariat for the win.

The main event was easily the match of the night. Fletcher established himself as a player who is ready for the main event physically but perhaps has emotional growing to do. This loss should be motivation for Fletcher to really focus on his TNT Title and eventually work his way back to a title match. As for Hangman, itâ€s hard to know if thereâ€s more battles with the Don Callis Family ahead or if a new challenger will emerge.

Grade: B+

Tic Tack Done

Latest Developments

Mark Briscoe finally got even with MJF, defeating him in the first even Tacks ‘n’ Tacks match.

Analysis

Mark Briscoe started of the match by emptying the contents of four buckets full of tacks into the center of the ring. MJF dodged being dropped into them a couple times before scoop slamming Briscoe into them. He then hit an Alabama Slam on Briscoe into the tacks. MJF also brilliantly got heat by putting the tables back under the ring. It was a simple thing but so effective. Briscoe took over and repeatedly dropped into the tacks. He put him through a table on the floor. The finish came after Briscoe hit two Froggy Bows, one through a table, and then the Jay Driller.

Briscoe had to win this match after all the heinous things MJF said about his family, specifically his late brother. It does seem like Briscoe is sliding back into his feud with the DCF and effort to get a TNT title match against Kyle Fletcher.

This loss capped off a bad weekend for MJF who lost a great match to Mistico the night prior at the CMLL Anniversario show. Iâ€m not sure whatâ€s next for him but he does still hold that Casino Gauntlet contract.

Grade: B+

Well That Was Unexpected

Latest Developments

Kris Statlander shocked the world, pinning Toni Storm with a seatbelt to capture the AEW Womenâ€s World title.

Analysis

When Toni Storm set up the four-way match for AEW Womenâ€s World Title it seemed like a foregone conclusion that she would retain her championship. That made Kris Statlanderâ€s upset all the more surprising. The match itself was fine, although it quite clicked into a higher gear. At the end, Toni was left alone in the ring with Stat. The two squared off with Stat getting the advantage and hooking on the seatbelt pinning combination for the unexpected victory.

I hope thereâ€s a good plan in place for Statlander given the equity that Toni has built up in the title since winning it back in Australia in February. Obviously sheâ€s been doing this weird dance with the Death Riders for weeks now and she won with Wheeler Yutaâ€s signature move. The thing is it feels like the best opportunity for her to turn heel was during the match, as a way to win. It would feel anticlimactic to do it once sheâ€s already beaten the champion clean.

Tony Khanâ€s announcement regarding the Women’s Tag Team Titles being introduced complicates matters further because itâ€s always felt like Stat and Willow were destined to make a deep run in the inaugural tournament or even win it. That would mean she’d have to remain a face. Itâ€s hard to say where this goes but we probably wonâ€t be able to fully judge it until after the fact. (Statlander seemed to definitely side against the Death Riders by clotheslining Yuta and flipping off Mox.)

Grade: B-

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The Mox, The Mox, The Mox is on Fire!

Latest Developments

Jon Moxley defeated Darby Allin in a coffin match with the help of the returning Pac only to be set on fire in a body bag backstage.

Analysis

The match was as violent and bloody as expected. At one point Darby hit a suicide dive onto Mox into a standing coffin. In a callback to last month at Forbidden Door, Darby retrieved a fork and stabbed Mox in the ear and the head.

Speaking of callbacks Bryan Danielson produced a duffel bag in which he had hidden a plastic bag identical to the one the Death Riders used on him. He passed the bag to Darby who then attempted to suffocate Mox. Just when it looked like Darby had the match won, Pac made his return after a several month injury layoff. Sporting street clothes and a new short haircut, Pac kicked Darby in the face and then Razorâ€s Edged him over the top rope onto the lid of a coffin. He picked up Darbyâ€s lifeless body, placed in a body bag, and dumped it in the coffin which Mox kicked shut.

This win was something of a surprise given that it seemed like Darby winning and symbolically closing the lid on the Death Riders made the most sense. Moxâ€s victory extends the story. What also extended the story was what transpired later backstage. Mox and the Death Riders had carried the coffin with Darby in it away from the ring after the match.

Marina Shafir found a cameraman in the back and directed him to film. Mox stood over the coffin and said he loved Darby. He dismissed the other Death Riders and then knelt next to the coffin. Thatâ€s when Darby, having Houdini-d himself out of the body bag popped out of the coffin and blasted Mox with a pipe. He then put Mox in the body bag, sprayed a flammable liquid on him, and lit him on fire. Officials quickly rushed to put the flames out as Mox screamed in pain. Darby told them to let him burn as he was forcibly dragged away from the scene.

Ordinarily, this would be a too over-the-top scene but given the escalatory nature of the violence within this feud, something the commentators pointed out, it somehow made sense. That said, I shudder to imagine whatâ€s next. Maybe Tony Khan is going to bring back the human torch match after all.

[Note: Darby showed at Dynamite with his flamethrower and challenged Mox to an Quit match at WrestleDream.]

Grade: B

The Ecstasy and the Agony

Latest Developments

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage defeated FTR only for FTR to attack them and the debuting Beth Copeland after the match.

Analysis

This match featured the most Canadian video package accompanying Copeland and Christianâ€s entrance with the two running into hockey legends and TV stars backstage. As for the match it was wrestled like an old school tag match with the heels isolating one of the faces. Things broke down after Christian hit Dax with a spear and Copeland used the Killswitch on Cash. Copeland made the cover but Stokely.

That brought out the former Beth Phoenix now Beth Copeland. She speared Stokely and then carried him to the back on her shoulders. FTR got a series of near falls on Copeland first with shot with the ring bell and then consecutive Shatter Machines. The finish itself was a little wonky with Christian yanking Dax out the ring and Cash walking into a spear.

After the match Beth returned to congratulate her husband when Mother Wayne suddenly rolled Nick Wayne onto the stage in a wheelchair. That allowed FTR and Kip Sabian to attack Copeland and Christian from behind. Sabian handcuffed Copeland to the bottom rope while FTR hit a spiked piledriver on Christian. They turned their sights on Beth. When she realized the situation she simply kissed her husband and then started punching FTR. They quickly overwhelmed her and Copeland was forced to watch Beth take a spiked piledriver.

This all worked well in front of the Toronto crowd. The hometown legends got their win but the heels got a ton of heat back to extend the feud. The go-home promo saved a lackluster build and this match set up the next steps nicely so I expect better from the buildup this time around.

Grade: B

Random Questions

– Can we get Mercedes Moné a real opponent now? Yes, she had a good match with Riho but the entire set up felt totally out of nowhere. There was an interesting feud going between Mercedes and Alex Windsor and Riho got dropped into the middle of it. Letâ€s get back to that.

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Fans Optimistic About John Cena vs. Adam Copeland (fka Edge) in 2025 After Massive AEW Easter Egg

The recent AEW Dynamite dropped a shocker on Adam Copeland’s future in the company.

On September 20, 2025, Cope teamed up with Cristian Cage to face FTR at AEW All Out. Cope was in a long rivalry with FTR, and Cage joined his old buddy to help him out in the feud. However, things went south as Cope’s wife, Beth Copeland, came out during the match to help her husband secure the win. FTR handcuffed Cope and attacked Copeland, hurting her badly.

This week on Dynamite, when Renee Paquette asked the Rated-R superstar for a medical update on his wife, he walked away without any statement. He met Cage while packing his stuff and said he ‘can’t keep doing this, it’s affecting my family,’ and left after having a heartfelt moment with his long-time tag-team partner. Check that here.

After this statement, Cope’s future in the company is unsure. His AEW contract is reportedly set for expiration in 2026 if one follows the technicality of his comments stating his plans to retire at 53. The Rated R Superstar will turn 52 this October. Despite this, the internet wrestling community sparked speculation on where he might be headed after recent developments disclosed on Dynamite.

How Are Fans Relating Adam Copeland’s AEW Break to John Cena?

Following the backstage interaction, fans were quick to theorize where Cope is headed next. Before joining AEW, he was a major part of the WWE programming, where he had a memorable rivalry with John Cena. Now, as the Greatest of All Time is on a retirement tour and has only 5 dates remaining with the company as a performer, fans were hoping for a final showdown between these two superstars.

But since Cope was a part of AEW, that didn’t seem possible, until today’s Dynamite episode. Cena paid homage to Cope, known as Edge in WWE, during his US Title match on his last SmackDown appearance, by delivering a ‘Spear’ to Sami Zayn. Cope acknowledged this on All Out by delivering a body slam on Cash Wheeler, followed by a ‘You Can’t See Me’ taunt, and a ‘Five Knuckle Shuffle.’ Now, these actions weren’t subtle enough to go unnoticed by the wrestling fans.

Recently, Cena asked for one final match with AJ Styles to Triple H, which was made official by the Chief Content Officer of WWE, as Styles joined in too with the request. Following these actions, fans think we can still get one final match between Edge and Cena.

Fans Connecting the Dots on Social Media

There were a lot of tweets following this announcement by Cope, where fans expressed their desire for him to return to WWE for a match with Cena in his retirement tour.

One fan wrote, “AEW & WWE can literally make history and do something incredible; let Edge (Cope) leave & come to WWE for 1 match to give the fans what they want. Wrestling is for the people, WWE knows this retirement tour has been a miss so ending on a high note CENA V. EDGE would be amazing.”

Whereas, another fan suggested Edge as Cena’s last opponent on his retirement tour, writing, “Adam Copeland said he may not be coming back???? Heard John Cena needs a final opponent for December. #AEWDynamite.”

Many others joined the conversation, expressing their thoughts and excitement about the recent news. Following are the multiple fan reactions:

Internet wrestling community supporting John Cena vs Edge one last timeThe internet wrestling community supporting John Cena vs Edge one last time

If what fans are saying on social media is true, and if Cope is headed towards WWE next for one final match with Cena, it would be a memorable moment. It would break the internet, giving the wrestling community what they want. Since we got Styles vs Cena for Crown Jewel on October 11, Cena’s one of the next four matches could be against Edge, summing up his retirement tour perfectly.

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What worked with Copeland and Christian’s promo and what really needs to be trimmed because it’s cringe, plus Darby and Hangman-Fletcher – AEW’S TOP PROMOS OF THE WEEK

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Darby Allin (on Collision 9/17)

I thought this was a very strong week for promos on Dynamite and Collision. Darbyâ€s promo from Collision talking about his climb to the top of Mt. Everest makes this week’s list. I thought he really did an amazing job tying in the climb on Mt. Everest, and how he kept his word that he was going to do it, to keeping his word about protecting AEW from Moxley.

His line about “not being able to politic to the top of the world†was a really strong line, and I liked him talking about how important it is for him to keep his word, and using that to set it up later in the interview when he made Bryan Danielson promise to give Darby his word that he would not get involved in his match with Moxley at All Out.

I also liked the whisper in the ear from Danielson to Darby at the end, too. It set up a little suspense gong into the match with Moxley at All Out. Just a passionate promo from Darby and a promo that helped sell the match with Moxley at All Out even more.

“Hangman” Page and Kyle Fletcher contract signing (on Dynamite 9/17)

In a few years we are going to look back and say the feud with Hangman was really Kyle Fletcherâ€s coming out party as a top star in AEW, and not just a guy who has potential but still needs to put it together. Fletcher has really stepped up his game in this feud with Hangman, and this contact signing is a huge example.

We still need to fix the collar on that dress shirt (collar stays, Kyle), but wow was this good.

I really enjoyed Hangman mentioning how other wrestlers are tired of getting involved in every AEW World Title match because so am I. Hangman explaining to Fletcher how he needs to earn the title, and Fletcher explaining how heâ€d do anything for a title shot really emphasizes the importance of the word title, and that is the point of all this.

Every wrestlerâ€s goal should be to be world champion. Hangman explaining the weight of carrying the title, and how he knows the feeling Kyle will have the morning after All Out after he loses was rally compelling: Waking up that morning after losing a title shot, and looking yourself in the mirror is a pivotal moment of who you are and where you are going to go next. I really liked Hangman bringing that up, and making fletcher ask himself “ who will you be.â€

I thought AEW did a great job of book-ending the show with the contract signing, and the end of the show with Fletcher keeping his promise of making sure Hangman would be broken by the end of the night. More of that please, and it was also nice that no one went through the table at the contract signing. Itâ€s too cliché now, and Iâ€m happy they stayed away from that.

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Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, and FTR (on Dynamite 9/17)

When AEW is in a smaller venue, and the setup involves a smaller stage, I really wish Adam Copeland would stop doing his run to both sides of the stage during his entrance. Its awkward and shows how small the venue is. I also feel like the singalong to his entrance music is becoming a little forced. When its in front of an audience when only half the audience knows the words, it becomes borderline cringy.

Alright, enough of the complaints, Taylor. This is supposed to be top promos not your top complaints. Christian standing in the ring with his arms folded, and not looking at FTR was so funny, and he was my favorite part of this promo segment. When he also corrected Copeland that its “Cage and Copeland,†I laughed out loud on my couch. He absolutely popped Dax with that microphone too, and I thought it was a great end to the segment.

The real reason I have this promo in the top three this week is because I thought Copeland did a really great job going over the backstory of the rivalry with FTR, and he didnâ€t fall into that trap he falls into too many times when he gets more concerned with trying to get over some corn line he thought of rather than trying to sell the match. I thought he had great intensity, and this was one of the best promos heâ€s had since joining AEW. He really sold the hatred he has for FTR right now.

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