WWE Hall of Famer Edge shocked the world when he left WWE and chose to sign with AEW. The Rated R Superstar has explained that he wanted to work a full-time schedule before retiring, something the sports entertainment giant wasn't on board with.
They wanted to use Edge, now going by his real name, Adam Copeland, sporadically and as a part-time draw similar to Brock Lesnar. Talking to the New York Post, Copeland explained why that no longer worked for him and how it led him to AEW.
"I think from their perspective and I see their perspective entirely, if we bring you out too much then it’s not special anymore. I get that. I really do. So it was for limited dates. With that though, you can’t really get into a proper story. You can’t really dive into what this thing could be. For me looking at it, it’s like I’m 49. I got a very, very limited time to capitalize on what I have left. Because three months off, that’s three months where I could have done some stuff."
"And I know it sounds great on paper and don’t get me wrong it wasn’t a horrible place to be. But, if I’m gonna do this man. I want to do it. I want to try to craft some stories and do what I can while I can. So limited time, yeah, because I’m far closer to the end of my career than I am to the beginning. But still think I got some good stories that I can tell and a whole new roster of people who I’ve never touched before."
Another bonus that comes with joining the Tony Khan-owned pro wrestling company is the fact Copeland can now reunite with his former tag team partner and rival Christian Cage.
The current TNT Champion didn't welcome Copeland into AEW with open arms and the two will clash for the first time in several years at AEW Full Gear this weekend. There, Copeland will team with Sting and Darby Allin in a match against Cage, Nick Wayne, and Luchasaurus.
Talking about the bout, the WWE Hall of Famer said:
"For me, to not only perform in the Forum for the first time, which is a building that I always held in high regard. There’s the Lakers, but then I think about all the concerts over the years, the Kings, Wayne Gretzky all the history. Then I’m getting to team with Sting, who I never before Collison this week had the opportunity to share a ring with. Darby Allin, who I can’t say enough about that guy and what think he brings to the table. He’s crazy but he’s good crazy."
"Then I get to stand opposite Christian. Very, I don’t know if surreal is the right word but just getting an opportunity to stand in a ring together again with an audience after we’d both been told we’d never do this again and to be involved in a story that has this momentum. This story feels like it’s clicking and that’s a fun thing to be a part of at this stage of our careers. It’s just doesn’t make sense sometimes."
The hope among fans is that they'll eventually team up again, but that currently appears to be a long way off from happening. Well, unless Copeland turns heel or Cage goes babyface. We'll just have to wait and see.