Edge’s final match in WWE took place on August 18, 2023, where he emerged victorious against Sheamus on SmackDown. Not long after, his contract with WWE reached its end, and within a few months, he made the move to All Elite Wrestling, officially debuting with the company.
His transition to AEW marked a major moment in his career, shifting from his long tenure in WWE to a fresh chapter elsewhere. Sheamus recently appeared on Insight with Chris Van Vliet and discussed the events leading up to Edge’s farewell match.
He shared that both he and Edge had developed an idea for a rivalry, but it was dismissed. Additionally, he disclosed that Damian Priest had originally been planned as Edge’s final opponent in WWE before plans changed.
Sheamus Reflects on Edge’s Final WWE Match
“We had several conversations about working together,” Sheamus recalled. “We came up with a storyline that, for whatever reason, didn’t get the green light. Then, it all just played unexpectedly.
I received a call, which I believe was influenced by the promo segment we had done a week earlier, and then the match was set for the following week.
Edge’s contract was coming to an end, but at the time, no one really knew what decision he would make. I had assumed he would re-sign because we had discussed the possibility of doing something after that match, but it turned out differently.”
Sheamus also spoke about how the opponent selection for Edge’s final match shifted at the last moment. “Originally, Damian Priest was penciled in as his opponent, but then the plans changed, and I was chosen instead.
I’m not entirely sure how that decision came about, but I was surprised when I got the call. At the same time, I was excited. Edge and I had never wrestled each other in a singles match before, so this was a first. It’s kind of crazy when I look back at my career and realize there are still guys I haven’t faced one-on-one.
Rey Mysterio is one of them. CM Punk and I wrestled a couple of times, but that was over a decade ago. Rey is probably the one person I still haven’t had a singles match with, despite the fact that we’ve been on the same roster for such a long time.”
Following his departure from WWE, Edge made his AEW debut under his real name, Adam Copeland, during the WrestleDream pay-per-view in October 2023. Once he arrived in AEW, he quickly became a major presence on their programming and remained active for several months.
His run in AEW saw him involved in various storylines and matches, keeping him at the forefront of the promotion. However, his momentum was halted when he suffered an injury during his match against Malakai Black at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view in 2024.
Copeland’s AEW Return and Feud with Jon Moxley
The injury forced Copeland to step away from the ring for several months, but he has since returned to AEW and is now performing under the name “Cope.” His comeback has placed him in a heated rivalry with Jon Moxley, with AEW seemingly positioning them for a major showdown.
The promotion appears to be building toward a Cope vs. Moxley match for the AEW World Championship, setting up what could be one of the most anticipated title bouts in the company.
As his AEW journey continues, Copeland has embraced his new role while remaining a key figure in the promotion. His transition from WWE to AEW was one of the most talked-about moves in professional wrestling, and despite facing setbacks due to injury, he has returned to solidify his presence once again.
With his current storyline against Moxley gaining steam, all signs point to an intense battle between the two, with the AEW World Championship at stake.
