Adam Copeland Evokes John Cena’s Signature Moves at AEW All Out, Highlighting Enduring Cross-Promotional Respect

Toronto, ON – In a rare display of inter-promotional camaraderie, Adam Copeland, known to many wrestling enthusiasts by his previous moniker Edge, paid a distinct tribute to WWE luminary John Cena during his match at AEW All Out on Saturday, September 20, 2025. The gesture occurred just hours before Cena was scheduled to face Brock Lesnar at WWE Wrestlepalooza, underscoring a bond that transcends the competitive boundaries of professional wrestling promotions.

The tribute unfolded during the opening contest of AEW All Out at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, where Copeland teamed with his long-time ally Christian Cage to face the acclaimed tag team FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood). In a pivotal moment of the bout against FTR, Copeland notably utilized a sequence of maneuvers famously associated with John Cena, colloquially known as the "five moves of doom." Copeland executed a powerful side-release powerbomb on Cash Wheeler, followed by the distinctive "Five Knuckle Shuffle," and concluded the homage with Cena’s signature Attitude Adjustment. The crowd reaction in Toronto, a city with a deep appreciation for wrestling history, was notably enthusiastic, acknowledging the significance of Copeland’s actions.

This public acknowledgment by Copeland arrives several weeks after Cena himself initiated a similar gesture. Earlier in the month, during a WWE SmackDown broadcast, Cena competed against Sami Zayn. In that contest, Cena incorporated several signature maneuvers belonging to past rivals into his offense, including Copeland’s iconic Spear. Cena has publicly framed these actions as a means of honoring adversaries he may not have the opportunity to face again during what he has indicated could be a farewell tour, marking the twilight of his full-time in-ring career. The reciprocal nature of these tributes highlights a deep professional respect and a shared history between two of wrestling’s most prominent figures of the 21st century.

Speaking to The Score earlier in the week, Copeland reflected on Cena’s initial acknowledgment, stating, "Super fun. 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 further elaborated on the dynamic of their legendary rivalry, emphasizing its mutual benefits. "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 (then known as Edge) and John Cena stands as one of the most defining and influential feuds in WWE history during the mid-2000s. Their contrasting personas – Cena, the unwavering heroic figure championing "Hustle, Loyalty, Respect," and Edge, the cunning "Rated-R Superstar" who epitomized opportunistic villainy – created a compelling narrative that captivated audiences for years. Their first major championship encounter occurred at New Year’s Revolution in January 2006, a pivotal moment in both their careers. Cena had just successfully defended the WWE Championship inside the Elimination Chamber, enduring a brutal contest. Capitalizing on Cena’s exhaustion, Edge famously cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase, pinning Cena to capture his first WWE Championship. This shocking victory cemented Edge’s status as a main event player and ignited a series of high-stakes matches that would define the championship landscape for the better part of two years.

Their feud encompassed multiple pay-per-view main events, including iconic matches at SummerSlam, Unforgiven, and Royal Rumble. These encounters frequently featured unique stipulations, such as Tables, Ladders, and Chairs (TLC) matches, and Last Man Standing bouts, which pushed both competitors to their physical limits and consistently delivered critically acclaimed performances. Their chemistry was undeniable, with both men elevating each other’s careers through their intense rivalry. Cena’s resilience and ability to overcome Edge’s manipulative tactics solidified his position as the company’s top babyface, while Edge’s innovative heel work and ability to elicit genuine disdain from the audience established him as one of the most compelling villains of his era. The narrative thread of their rivalry was a masterclass in professional wrestling storytelling, emphasizing the clash of ideologies and the relentless pursuit of championship gold.

AEW All Out 2025, from which Copeland’s tribute originated, is one of All Elite Wrestling’s flagship pay-per-view events, traditionally held over the Labor Day weekend in North America. This year’s iteration in Toronto marked a significant return to Canadian soil for a major AEW spectacle, drawing a capacity crowd eager to witness the promotion’s top stars. The event’s card was stacked with high-profile matches, reflecting AEW’s continued growth and its commitment to presenting a distinct alternative in the professional wrestling landscape. Copeland’s match with Christian Cage against FTR was a highly anticipated tag team encounter, pitting two of wrestling’s most respected duos against each other. FTR, renowned for their traditional tag team wrestling style and numerous championship reigns across various promotions, presented a formidable challenge to the veteran pairing of Copeland and Cage. The match itself was a testament to the enduring quality of tag team wrestling, with all four competitors delivering a physically demanding and technically proficient performance.

Meanwhile, John Cena’s participation in WWE Wrestlepalooza 2025 underscores his continued, albeit increasingly part-time, presence within WWE. Wrestlepalooza, while a relatively newer addition to WWE’s pay-per-view calendar compared to flagship events like WrestleMania or SummerSlam, has rapidly established itself as a significant event, often featuring high-profile matchups and important storyline developments. Cena’s scheduled bout against Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza was a marquee attraction, reigniting a rivalry that has also historically been a cornerstone of WWE programming. Cena and Lesnar have a storied history, marked by intense physical confrontations and a clash of styles – Cena’s technical and power-based offense against Lesnar’s dominant, unyielding brawling. Their previous encounters, most notably at SummerSlam 2014 where Lesnar decisively defeated Cena to capture the WWE Championship, have been etched into WWE lore. The anticipation for their Wrestlepalooza rematch was palpable, promising another chapter in their violent saga.

The “five moves of doom” employed by Cena throughout his career – the flying shoulder block, the sit-out hip toss, the spinning back suplex, the Five Knuckle Shuffle (a fist drop with showmanship), and the Attitude Adjustment (a firemen’s carry takeover) – became synonymous with his character and his ability to rally from behind. These moves, while sometimes criticized by purists for their repetitive nature, were incredibly effective in eliciting crowd participation and were integral to Cena’s connection with his fanbase, particularly younger audiences. Similarly, Copeland’s Spear, a full-body tackle delivered with explosive force, became a defining finisher for him, often delivered with dramatic flair and precision. The mutual use of these iconic maneuvers by two legends from different promotions serves as a powerful reminder of their intertwined legacies and the profound impact they have had on the industry.

This exchange of tributes between Adam Copeland and John Cena, while separated by promotional banners, speaks volumes about the respect and camaraderie that can exist at the highest echelons of professional wrestling. It demonstrates that beyond the competitive narratives and corporate structures, there remains a deep appreciation for the contributions made by individuals who have dedicated their lives to the craft. As both Copeland and Cena continue their respective journeys, their recent gestures serve as a poignant acknowledgment of a shared past and an enduring professional kinship that continues to resonate with fans across the wrestling world.

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