Adam Copeland Channels John Cena at AEW All Out, Igniting Cross-Promotional Buzz Prior to Wrestlepalooza Showdown

Toronto, ON — Professional wrestling veteran Adam Copeland, known to WWE audiences for decades as Edge, delivered a significant cross-promotional tribute to long-time rival John Cena during his match at AEW All Out on Saturday, mere hours before Cena was scheduled to face Brock Lesnar at WWE Wrestlepalooza. The gesture, performed in front of a capacity crowd at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, underscored a bond between two generational talents that transcends the competitive landscape of their respective companies, AEW and WWE.

Copeland, a cornerstone of All Elite Wrestling’s roster since his high-profile arrival, opened the All Out pay-per-view alongside tag team partner Christian Cage in a highly anticipated contest against the acclaimed duo FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood). It was during this opening bout that Copeland strategically integrated several of Cena’s signature maneuvers, commonly referred to by fans as the "five moves of doom," into his offensive arsenal. Targeting Cash Wheeler, Copeland executed a powerful side-release powerbomb, followed by the distinctive "five-knuckle shuffle" — a fist drop preceded by a theatrical hand wave. The culminating move in the sequence was the Attitude Adjustment, Cena’s iconic finishing maneuver, which Copeland delivered to Wheeler, eliciting a palpable reaction from the Toronto faithful.

The tribute was not an isolated incident but rather a reciprocal acknowledgment that had been building for several weeks within the professional wrestling circuit. Earlier in the month, John Cena, during an appearance on WWE SmackDown, had himself paid homage to a number of his past adversaries. In a notable moment during a match against Sami Zayn, Cena utilized Copeland’s signature Spear, a move synonymous with the "Rated-R Superstar," to the surprise and delight of fans. Cena has reportedly embarked on what many observers believe to be a farewell tour, using these acknowledgments as a method to honor rivals he may no longer have the opportunity to face in the ring during his winding down period as a full-time competitor.

Speaking to The Score earlier this week, Copeland reflected on Cena’s earlier acknowledgment of his career. "Super fun," Copeland remarked, emphasizing the mutual respect inherent in their shared history. "I think for John and I, we’re two guys who met each other at the right time. You know, he needed a bad guy and I needed a good guy, and it just clicked. You never know when something will click." Copeland elaborated on the dynamic nature of their rivalry, highlighting its profound impact on both their careers. "You had two guys who were very willing to do what we had to do to get us both over. And John was already well on his way. But I feel like our angle is what really put the stamp on him being the top guy, and it put the stamp on me being a main-event guy. So, you know, I’ll always look back at that one fondly and at what we were able to do and the fun we had."

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The rivalry between Adam Copeland and John Cena stands as one of the most defining narratives of WWE’s Ruthless Aggression and PG eras, spanning the mid-2000s and solidifying both men as top-tier attractions. Their intense, often personal, feud kicked into high gear in January 2006 at New Year’s Revolution, where Copeland made history by cashing in the inaugural Money in the Bank briefcase on a battered Cena, pinning him to capture his first WWE Championship. This pivotal moment not only launched Copeland into undisputed main event status but also provided Cena with a formidable, consistent antagonist who could genuinely challenge his "never give up" ethos.

Their series of matches throughout 2006, including a memorable TLC match at Unforgiven in Toronto and a Last Man Standing match at Backlash 2007, were characterized by a blend of technical prowess, storytelling acumen, and a palpable hatred that resonated with audiences. Cena, often portraying the virtuous, unwavering hero, found his perfect foil in Copeland’s cunning, arrogant, and often villainous "Rated-R Superstar" persona. Their contrasting characters and in-ring styles created compelling television, contributing significantly to WWE’s ratings and pay-per-view buy rates during that period. Both men would go on to accumulate multiple world championships, with Cena eventually tying Ric Flair’s record of 16 world title reigns, and Copeland securing 11 world championships across his storied career. Their feuds are frequently cited by wrestling historians and fans as essential viewing for understanding the evolution of modern professional wrestling storytelling.

AEW All Out 2025, held in Copeland’s native Canada, represented one of the promotion’s tentpole events, traditionally drawing significant viewership and revenue. The decision to feature Copeland and Cage versus FTR as the opening contest underscored the match’s importance and the star power of all four participants. FTR, widely regarded as one of the premier tag teams in professional wrestling today, have held multiple tag team championships across various promotions, including AEW, WWE (as The Revival), and NJPW. Their hard-hitting, traditional tag team style provided a stark contrast to the more theatrical elements of Copeland’s tribute, yet seamlessly integrated into the narrative of the match.

Meanwhile, John Cena’s match against Brock Lesnar at WWE Wrestlepalooza was positioned as another marquee attraction for WWE’s annual summer spectacular. The rivalry between Cena and Lesnar is equally storied, marked by intense physicality and a stark power dynamic. Their encounters, particularly their dominant performance by Lesnar at SummerSlam 2014, have defined a significant chapter in WWE history, establishing Lesnar as a truly dominant force. Cena’s current role as a part-time attraction and elder statesman of WWE adds further layers of anticipation to his high-profile matchups, as each appearance is treated with heightened significance.

The act of a performer from one major promotion openly honoring a talent from another, especially given the historical competitive dynamics between AEW and WWE, is a testament to the respect shared among professional wrestlers. It serves as a reminder that beyond corporate rivalries, the bonds forged through shared experiences and mutual elevation in the ring often endure. Copeland’s tribute to Cena at AEW All Out, ahead of Cena’s Wrestlepalooza clash, not only provided an engaging moment for fans but also highlighted the enduring legacies of two individuals who fundamentally shaped an era of professional wrestling. Their careers, though now unfolding in separate promotional landscapes, remain intrinsically linked by a shared history of competition and mutual respect.