On Sunday night at the AEW WrestleDream pay-per-view event, Adam Copeland (Edge) made his debut by saving Darby Allin and Sting from an attack by Christian Cage, Luchasaurus, and Nick Wayne.
Copeland has signed a full-time deal with AEW and will be wrestling on a regular basis in the promotion. He issued a statement on his decision to sign with AEW, which you can read here.
Fightful Select reports sources in AEW told them that it has only been positive reactions to the company signing him. A longtime AEW star said that Copeland had talked about filling the gap that CM Punk left behind in that he’ll be helpful and not cause any issues internally. That person did reiterate that Punk had been helpful to many in AEW.
Some people in AEW were surprised that WWE had allowed the “Rated R Superstar” trademark to lapse, allowing AEW to use it.
Some people in WWE noted that it became apparent at the start of the summer that Edge wasn’t returning, while one AEW star said they were not officially clued in, but another example of it being a badly kept secret.
The report noted, “Talent in AEW and WWE both spoke about Adam Copeland jumping ship as if it was going to happen as far back as mid-August. Sources that had worked with Copeland spoke as if it was a fact even before his last WWE match, though many were not told in an official capacity until well after that.”
WWE and AEW talent started speaking matter-of-factly over the weekend about Copeland joining. Copeland was in town all weekend and somewhat hidden, although he did come around to hang out with Allin and get food.
Those in WWE noted Copeland left on good terms and would be welcomed back into the company if he ever returned.
It was added, “The overwhelming consensus was a positive within AEW and a “happy for him” within WWE.’
