Adam Copeland’s days as a WWE Superstar may be a thing of the past, but the Rated R Superstar paid tribute to one of his iconic WrestleMania matches last night.
Since joining AEW at WrestleDream, Copeland has been feuding with his former friend and ex-tag team partner Christian Cage. The two faced off for the TNT title in Montreal earlier this month on an episode of Dynamite in a match that Cage would win.
Copeland’s WrestleMania 22 Tribute
At AEW Worlds End, Copeland once again challenged for the AEW TNT Championship, this time in a No Disqualifications match. Throughout the match, Copeland paid tribute to his epic Hardcore match at WrestleMania 22 in 2006, which saw the then-Edge defeat Mick Foley. Copeland wore the same attire at Worlds End that he wore for the match with Foley, right down to his vest.
HE’S WEARING THE VEST FROM MANIA 22 OMG HE IS ABOUT GO CRAZY ????#AEWWorldsEnd https://t.co/gAoWM5RVZ7
— s e t h (@futurafreesky) December 31, 2023
Later in the match, Copeland used a flaming table, just as he had at WrestleMania 22 nearly two decades earlier. Rather than spearing someone through the table though like he did in Chicago, Copeland powerbombed Nick Wayne onto the table at Worlds End.
https://twitter.com/AIRGold_/status/1741304743354376211
Copeland was able to dethrone Christian Cage as TNT Champion and finished his former friend with Cage’s own Killswitch finisher. This marked Copeland’s first championship win since 2011 but was also his shortest reign. Post-match, he was attacked by Killswitch (the wrestler, not the move.) Killswitch had earned a shot at the TNT Championship by winning a battle royal on the Zero-Hour pre-show. Killswitch surrendered his title opportunity to Cage, who promptly won the title back from Copeland.