Adam Copeland says there are no issues between himself and WWE.
Despite coming close to retirement when his WWE contract expired, Adam Copeland isn’t ready to hang up his boots quite yet. In fact, the WWE Hall of Famer is setting his sights on a whole new list of dream matches, and goals.
Although Copeland had been linked with a move to AEW in recent weeks, many never expected him to actually make the jump. But the star had other plans, stunning fans everywhere bursting onto the stage at WrestleDream to confront Christian Cage.
The switch has led to speculation over Copeland’s relationship with WWE, as some refuse to believe there hadn’t been some kind of fall-out. Despite the rumours, speaking to Justin Barrasso for Sports Illustrated, Copeland said he’s been inundated with positive messages from WWE staff.
“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.
I sat with this decision for a while. It wasn’t a quick overnight thing. When I looked at this on paper, it was a no-brainer. But I was thinking with my head and my heart, and those two things don’t always agree. 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.”
While joining up with his best friend might have been a big motivating factor behind the move, “Uncle Jay” wasn’t as delighted to see Adam Copeland on Dynamite.
When Did Adam Copeland Join WWE?
After beginning his career back in 1992, Copeland wrestled his first match for WWE four years later, appearing as a last-minute stand-in at a house show in Hamilton, Ontario. The would-be star continued to wrestle for the company without any kind of fixed contract but that changed in 1997.
Copeland wrestled his first match as Edge that November.