Adam Copeland has revealed that a potential final match with John Cena was never seriously pursued because WWE was not interested in bringing him back for the occasion.
The WWE Hall of Famer, better known as Edge, discussed the possibility during an appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” Copeland was asked about the speculation that he could have been John Cena’s final opponent during the latter’s retirement run in 2025.
Adam Copeland believes AEW President Tony Khan would have allowed him to make a one-off return to the Stamford-based promotion for the match. However, he said WWE was the side that prevented the idea from moving forward.
“Here’s what I realized: they could’ve linked up with each other… One place didn’t want it to happen. Absolutely, [Tony would have allowed it].”
The reigning AEW World Tag Team Champion continued:
“I can see it from all sides… John knew I was there in spirit. Both of our careers would have been great, but I think that angle, that story, those two opponents kind of propelled us to a different place.”
Copeland also made it clear that he never formally pushed for the match. Having spent years in WWE, he felt he already understood how the company would view a one-off appearance involving one of its biggest stars.
“I [never pursued it]… Having been there long enough and kind of knowing how the mindset is there, I realized it ain’t gonna happen. If it were up to me and John? Sure.”
The idea carried plenty of history. Copeland and Cena were two of WWE’s defining stars during the company’s Ruthless Aggression era, regularly crossing paths over championships and major storylines. Their rivalry helped establish both men as top performers during the 2000s.
By the time Cena began his farewell tour, however, their careers had taken very different paths. Copeland had moved to AEW, while Cena was preparing to close out his WWE career.
John Cena’s Retirement Tour Had Plenty of Familiar Opponents
(Photo by WWE/Getty Images)
Cena’s retirement tour covered much of 2025 and featured several opponents from different stages of his career.
The former WWE Champion revisited rivalries with stars including Randy Orton, AJ Styles and Brock Lesnar while also entering a major WrestleMania 41 program with Cody Rhodes. His final in-ring victory came on the November 17 episode of RAW, when he teamed with Rey Mysterio and Sheamus against The Judgment Day.
“The Chain Gang Soldier” wrestled his final match on December 13, 2025, at Saturday Night’s Main Event. He challenged Gunther and ultimately submitted to “The Ring General,” bringing his 23-year WWE career to a close.
Copeland and Cena never received that final singles encounter, although the two former rivals still acknowledged their shared history from opposite sides of the wrestling landscape. “The Rated-R Superstar” noted that Cena knew he was “there in spirit,” while both men incorporated elements of each other’s signature offense during their respective matches.
