October 14 It was an emotional day for many wrestling fans as they learned about Adam “The Edge” Copeland plans to officially retire from ring competition in 2027. No specific time or place has been set for Copeland’s send-off, but according to AEW CEO Tony Khan, the time leading up to it is sure to be memorable.
“Absolutely, I knew Adam was going to say 2027 was his last year,” Khan said during the AEW WrestleDream media call, referring to Copeland’s announcement at AEW Dynamite. “I’m very close to Adam, I talk to Adam very regularly and of course as a producer of the show I’m going to talk to him about what he wants to say on the mic.”
“I think he’s going to have a great run here over the next year,” Khan continued. “Until 2027, I don’t know how much longer Adam would want to go, but I would say that’s what he talked to me about, that 2027 was going to be the last year he wanted to wrestle. I have accepted it. I think Adam is the guy who has done so much in wrestling.”
Copeland, a former WWE World Champion, first He retired from wrestling in 2011 due to spinal stenosis. Nine years later, he returned to action as a surprise entrant in the 2020 Men’s Royal Rumble. He continued to wrestle for WWE for three more years before jumping to AEW in the fall of 2023.
In 2026, The Rated R Superstar reunited with his longtime friend Christian Cage and even enjoyed a reign as the AEW Tag Team Champions. Their reign ended at All Out 2026, however, in a match that left Cage with multiple broken ribs and a collapsed lung.
Khan addresses Christian Cage’s recent injuries
“Christian Cage is recovering from those injuries,” Khan said, referring to Cage’s continued absence from AEW programming. “He’s one of the toughest guys out there, but he fought and had one of the greatest matches ever. When you know he hurt himself and tried to force himself and frankly dismiss the medical team saying he wasn’t hurt and downplay it and say he can carry on. The ring we all love, Adam said so well that we didn’t expect it.
Copeland broke the news about Cage’s status during his aforementioned “Dynamite” promo. The injuries themselves occurred after Cage was thrown into the ladder for about five minutes in the AEW Tag Team Championship Ladder Match at All Out on September 26.
With the same call to the media, Khan confirmed that he originally considered Cage in the subsequent pay-per-view, WrestleDream on October 17th. However, Cage’s injuries prevent him from competing. The timeline for his recovery is also unclear.
In the absence of a cage, Copeland entered the Clockwork Carnage match at WrestleDream In order to capture the AEW World Championship. His pursuit came close to success, but was ultimately thwarted when reigning champion Will Ospreay hit him with a hidden blade.
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit AEW with ah/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
