Copeland Honors Cena with Signature Moves at AEW All Out, Echoing Storied Rivalry Ahead of Wrestlepalooza

Toronto, ON – In a significant display of mutual respect that transcended the often-rigid boundaries of professional wrestling promotions, Adam Copeland, known to WWE audiences for decades as Edge, paid a distinct homage to long-time rival John Cena during his match at AEW All Out on Saturday, September 20, 2025. The gesture, executed hours before Cena was slated to face Brock Lesnar in the highly anticipated opener of WWE Wrestlepalooza, underscored a deep professional bond between two of the industry’s most enduring figures, despite their current affiliations with rival companies, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), respectively.

The tribute unfolded during the opening contest of AEW All Out at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, a city with strong ties to Copeland’s illustrious career. Copeland, alongside his long-time ally Christian Cage, squared off against the formidable tag team FTR, comprised of Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood, in a highly anticipated bout. FTR, renowned for their traditional tag team wrestling style and multiple championship reigns across various promotions, presented a significant challenge, making Copeland’s strategic choice of tribute all the more impactful within the competitive context of the match. It was during a pivotal sequence involving Cash Wheeler that Copeland conspicuously channeled Cena’s signature "five moves of doom." The sequence included a powerful side-release powerbomb, followed by the distinctive "You Can’t See Me" hand gesture and a five-knuckle shuffle, culminating in a textbook Attitude Adjustment. The crowd, immediately recognizing the iconic series of maneuvers, erupted in a mix of cheers and surprised appreciation, acknowledging the deliberate and respectful nod to the WWE stalwart. This act, broadcast live to a global pay-per-view audience, served as a poignant reminder of the shared history and enduring influence these two athletes have had on professional wrestling. The match itself, a hard-hitting affair characteristic of both teams, ultimately saw Copeland and Cage emerge victorious, but the lasting image for many was Copeland’s unexpected tribute.

This public acknowledgment by Copeland was not an isolated incident but rather a direct response to a similar gesture made by John Cena several weeks prior. Earlier in September, during an episode of WWE SmackDown, Cena engaged in a singles match against Sami Zayn. During this encounter, Cena, who has been on what he describes as a "retirement tour," strategically incorporated signature maneuvers from several of his past adversaries into his offense. Most notably, Cena executed Copeland’s iconic Spear, a move synonymous with the "Rated-R Superstar’s" career. Cena has publicly stated that this series of tributes is his way of honoring the formidable rivals he may not have the opportunity to face again before his career concludes. This exchange between Copeland and Cena, therefore, represents a unique "call and response" across promotional lines, highlighting a profound mutual respect built over years of shared battles. It subtly communicates a narrative of camaraderie and appreciation that often transcends the competitive nature of professional wrestling.

The historical tapestry of the Copeland-Cena rivalry is deeply woven into the fabric of WWE’s mid-2000s landscape, a period that saw both men ascend to the pinnacle of sports entertainment. Their feud, characterized by its intensity, personal stakes, and innovative storytelling, is widely regarded as one of the most compelling of the era. Their first major flashpoint occurred at the 2006 New Year’s Revolution event, where Copeland famously cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase on a battered John Cena, who had just defended his WWE Championship in an Elimination Chamber match. This opportunistic cash-in resulted in Copeland pinning Cena to capture his first WWE Championship, a moment that catapulted him into the main event scene and solidified his status as a top-tier heel. Over the subsequent years, Copeland and Cena engaged in numerous high-profile matches for the WWE Championship, including memorable encounters at Unforgiven 2006, SummerSlam 2006, and a pivotal Last Man Standing match at Backlash 2007. Their rivalry wasn’t just about championship gold; it was a clash of philosophies and personalities, with Cena embodying the heroic "never give up" ethos and Copeland epitomizing the cunning, manipulative villain. The rivalry played a critical role in establishing John Cena as the undisputed face of the company for over a decade, providing him with a credible, charismatic antagonist against whom he could hone his craft and solidify his connection with the audience. Simultaneously, it elevated Copeland, demonstrating his capability to carry main event storylines and deliver compelling performances on the grandest stages. Between 2006 and 2007 alone, these two competitors headlined multiple pay-per-view events, drawing significant viewership and cementing their legacies as era-defining performers. Their championship reigns during this period often intertwined, with the WWE Championship changing hands between them on several occasions, adding layers of unpredictability and excitement to their ongoing saga.

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Reflecting on their shared history, Adam Copeland offered insight into the dynamics of their relationship in a recent interview with The Score, remarking, "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’s comments underscore the serendipitous timing of their intertwined careers, suggesting a perfect storm of narrative necessity and personal chemistry. He continued, highlighting their professional synergy: "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." This candid reflection from Copeland not only emphasizes the mutual benefit derived from their rivalry but also speaks to the collaborative nature of professional wrestling, where even the most intense on-screen adversaries often share a deep respect and understanding behind the scenes. It highlights how a compelling rivalry can elevate both participants, solidifying their positions as cornerstones of their respective eras.

Currently, both Adam Copeland and John Cena continue to be significant draws for their respective promotions, albeit in different capacities. Adam Copeland, since joining AEW, has been a pivotal figure in elevating the company’s veteran presence and delivering high-caliber matches. His move to AEW allowed him to explore new creative avenues and engage with a different roster of talent, while still showcasing the intensity and storytelling prowess that defined his WWE career. He has been involved in several high-profile feuds and matches, consistently delivering performances that resonate with both long-time fans and new viewers. Meanwhile, John Cena’s "retirement tour" in WWE has seen him make sporadic but impactful appearances, primarily in non-title matches, focusing on acknowledging his career and the fans who supported him. His presence, though infrequent, still commands significant attention and viewership, underscoring his enduring star power. His upcoming match at WWE Wrestlepalooza against Brock Lesnar is particularly noteworthy. Lesnar, another titan of the industry, has a long and storied history with Cena, marked by brutal and often one-sided contests. Their rivalry dates back to Lesnar’s initial WWE run in the early 2000s and was reignited upon his return in 2012. A notable chapter includes Lesnar’s dominant victory over Cena at SummerSlam 2014, where he decimated Cena to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. This history adds another layer of gravitas to their Wrestlepalooza encounter, as it represents a clash between two of WWE’s most physically dominant and iconic figures, potentially marking one of Cena’s final high-stakes encounters.

The symbolic gestures between Copeland and Cena represent a broader trend in professional wrestling, where the lines between promotions, once rigidly drawn, have become more fluid. While not a direct "forbidden door" crossover in the traditional sense, these tributes highlight a shared fraternity among performers, irrespective of their current employers. They remind audiences of the rich history of the sport and the foundational rivalries that shaped its landscape. For fans, such moments are a powerful affirmation of the respect and camaraderie that often define the careers of these athletes, offering a glimpse into the genuine bonds that transcend competitive and corporate interests. As both men continue to carve out the concluding chapters of their legendary careers, these mutual tributes serve as a testament to their indelible impact on professional wrestling, reinforcing their status as generational talents whose legacies are intertwined.