13 years after his shocking retirement, Adam Copeland, formerly Edge, crowns himself champion again at 50 with WWE rival AEW – under emotional circumstances.
Thirteen years ago, he announced the end of his career with a bang due to a life-threatening injury – now, at the age of 50, he celebrated the late coronation of his sensational comeback.
The “Rated-R superstar” Adam Copeland, formerly Edge, has once again won title gold: Less than six months after his move to competitor AEW, the WWE Hall of Famer captured the league’s TNT title on the TV show Dynamite in his home country – in an emotional match against his childhood friend and ex-partner Christian Cage.
AEW Dynamite: Big duel between the former Edge and Christian
Copeland and Cage – who himself retired a few years ago due to health reasons – share an almost lifelong friendship and camaraderie: Both grew up near Toronto and have known each other since they attended 6th grade together, as storyline brother duo “Edge & Christian” they celebrated their big breakthrough together at WWE.
After the team split up in 2001, both also became successful as individual wrestlers, especially Edge, who is best remembered in WWE for his big title feuds against John Cena and the Undertaker.
In 2011, Edge was forced to retire as reigning World Champion due to a serious neck injury that could have left him paralyzed or worse. Nine years later, his health had recovered sufficiently for him to attempt a comeback
Copeland has been in amazing age form ever since, adding more milestones to his career, including another WrestleMania main event against Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan in 2021 and the formation of the now hugely successful Judgment Day group with rising stars Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley.
Copeland and Cage crown “40 years of history “
After an emotional farewell match against buddy Sheamus last fall – also in Toronto – Copeland switched to AEW: He was reportedly lured by a better financial offer at the time and, above all, the prospect of one last hurrah with companion Cage.
At the beginning of Copeland’s AEW engagement, the two hinted at a reunion, but instead Cage gave Copeland the cold shoulder and made it clear that he didn’t want to share the limelight. A blood feud began, in which Cage, together with his alliance The Patriarchy (Killswitch, Nick Wayne and his mother Shayna), fought his companion tooth and nail.
The rivalry – Copeland spoke in Canadian media beforehand of the “culmination of 40 years of history” – now culminated in an “I Quit Match” without rules, which could only be won by quitting. The two used the opportunity to hark back to old times – including Copeland jumping off a ladder onto Wayne and Killswitch, as he once did in the legendary “TLC Matches” with the Hardys and the Dudley Boyz.
With the help of his new friends Daniel Garcia, Matt Menard and Angelo Parker, Copeland was able to neutralize the Patriarchy and corner Cage in the end: He handcuffed him in the corner of the ring, gave him several kicks to the soft parts and in the end took out a nail club previously used against him by Cage, which then caused Cage to lay down his arms.
A huge victory ceremony with confetti ensued, but that may not be the end of the story: Copeland and Cage are widely expected to reunite after all and go after tag team gold once more.
Newcomer Okada also wins title
In the shadow of the big legends duel, AEW also put its two newest stars in the limelight once again: Mercedes Mone, the former Sasha Banks, gave another promo speech.
Meanwhile, Japanese superstar Kazuchika Okada quickly secured his first title in AEW, taking the recently created Continental Title from Eddie Kingston.
There was also more hype for the new Pay Per View Dynasty with the “Dream Match” of exceptional wrestlers Will Ospreay and Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan) and the looming World Title match between champion Samoa Joe and up-and-comer Swerve Strickland.
