Adam Copeland explains why he chose WWE over AEW for Shock’s 2020 return

Adam Copeland’s monumental return at the 2020 Royal Rumble was on the verge of not happening.

Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas was the site of a moment that many thought would never happen. 9 years after his emotional retirement, the opening riff of the title of Alter Bridge Metalingus rang out in the arena to a thunderous ovation. With Edge cleared to compete and able to end his career on his own terms, many were happy to see The Rated R Superstar back and eager to see the many never-before-seen matches that could take place. However, there was a world where this almost didn’t happen.

In a WWE documentary detailing his return, Copeland admitted that there were discussions with another company before his return, namely All Elite Wrestling. In a new interview with Chris Van Vliet, Copeland revealed how close he was to joining AEW in 2020:

“Really tight, we had some great discussions. (Was it late 2019?) Yeah. So when I started speaking at AEW, I wasn’t allowed yet. I realized it, we were talking about it like the bosses of each video game level. But I still haven’t been authorized by the occupational doctors, have I? So once all these approvals started coming in, I was like, “Oh, this is real now. All right.

So before doing anything I had to get the necessary final permission for either business. But I had negotiated with everyone. I was like, Okay, here’s where I’m at, here’s what I was told I could do, and I started the process. »

Continuing, Copeland recalled a conversation with Vince McMahon who ultimately made a decision on his future at that time:

“And then going to WWE and sitting down with Vince, it’s going well, it has to happen here. At this point I looked at the equity built up and felt like I had to start again, especially after being away for nine years, it was really daunting, if that makes sense.

I felt like at least with WWE it was an irrelevant thing that I didn’t have to worry about. I can come back and wander through this character’s story. I feel like this should have happened there in the first place. Really, if only for that moment in the Royal Rumble right before the pandemic hit and just to feel and experience that. I’m happy with how it turned out.

Adam Copeland’s new AEW challenge

After 3 years in WWE, Copeland finally debuted for AEW making his shock debut at WrestleDream in October 2023. Currently reigning as TNT Champion, the Hall of Famer is in action most weeks and continues to put on exciting matches. in Cope’s overtures. In a previous interview, Adam Copeland revealed the unique challenge he gave himself in each match.

During the same interview, Adam Copeland confirmed that talks to bring back an Attitude Era star had been “halted.”

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