WWE Legend Adam Copeland Reveals Wrestling Retirement Deadline
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Adam Copeland, widely known as Cope (and formerly Edge in WWE), had previously given fans a timeframe for his eventual retirement. In April 2024, he estimated having about 18 months left as an active performer, pointing to a potential career conclusion near the end of 2025. However, based on his more recent comments, the landscape of his final run appears to have shifted.
Speaking on TSN 150's First Up with Korolnek & Colaiacovo, Copeland provided an updated outlook on his retirement horizon. He revealed that his current expectation involves stepping away from the ring when his existing contract with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) ends, an event projected to occur around the time he celebrates his 53rd birthday.
Elaborating on his decision-making process, Copeland highlighted the physical realities of performing at his age and the demanding nature of the profession, even with a more favourable schedule than in his past.
"Not much longer. The schedule is far better than what it used to be. If you asked me to try and pull off over 200 days a year that I pulled before, there is absolutely no way because the recovery takes too long now. I'll have a match and it'll take me a good week to finally start walking normal.
I've realised now, I'm 51 years old, I figure I have until maybe 53, the end of this contract, and then it's probably time to call it a day and get out while I can still limp away [laughs]. Lick my wounds and do a whole lot of yoga after," Cope stated during the interview.
EDMONTON, CANADA - May 8, 2024: AEW TNT Champion Adam Copeland enters the ring in a white coat before facing Brody King on AEW Dynamite.
EDMONTON, CANADA - May 8, 2024: AEW TNT Champion Adam Copeland enters the ring in a white coat before facing Brody King on AEW Dynamite.
Lee South/AEW
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This revised timeline pushes his potential retirement date further into the future than initially anticipated. Adam Copeland's 53rd birthday falls on October 30, 2026, suggesting his current AEW deal likely runs until approximately that period.
Since making his impactful debut for All Elite Wrestling at WrestleDream in October 2023, shortly after concluding his long tenure with WWE, Copeland has been a prominent figure in the promotion. His current run is itself a remarkable chapter, following his forced retirement from 2011 to 2020 due to a career-threatening neck injury.
It's possible that his perspective on retirement shifted partly due to unforeseen circumstances like a major injury. Copeland was sidelined for a significant part of 2024 after suffering a broken leg, leading him to extend his time in the ring to compensate for the missed period. Thus, fans can likely look forward to Cope's performances until late 2026.
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