Adam Copeland plans to retire in AEW – rules out WWE return

Speaking in an interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, the 52-year-old confirmed that AEW is where he wants to bring his more than three-decade career to an end.

Copeland, known as Edge throughout his WWE career, admitted that his decision may disappoint some fans hoping to see him return to his former company one final time.

But when asked directly whether he plans to retire in AEW, Copeland made his intentions clear.

"Yes. Yeah. That's where I want to," he told Helwani.

Copeland went on to explain how much he enjoys the current AEW environment, highlighting the energy and enthusiasm within the company.

"I don't want to go anywhere else. I'm good," he added.

The comments effectively rule out the prospect of Copeland making one final WWE return before calling time on his career.

Adam Copeland explains decision to finish career in AEW

Few wrestlers are more closely associated with WWE than Copeland.

Performing as Edge, he became a multiple-time world champion and one of the company's biggest stars, producing memorable rivalries with the likes of John Cena, Randy Orton and The Undertaker.

His career appeared to be over when neck problems forced him to retire in 2011, but Copeland completed a remarkable comeback when he returned at the 2020 Royal Rumble.

He eventually left WWE in 2023 and made his AEW debut at WrestleDream later that year.

Copeland told Helwani that he believes he would already have retired if AEW had not provided him with a different environment in which to continue his career. He contrasted that with the latter stages of his WWE run, which he felt had become too "overproduced" and "over-rehearsed".

While Copeland has now made clear where he wants to retire, he has not confirmed exactly when his final match will take place.

For now, the WWE Hall of Famer remains a major part of AEW and will compete on one of the company's biggest stages later this month.

How to watch Adam Copeland at AEW All In on DAZN

Adam Copeland's AEW career continues on one of wrestling's biggest stages when AEW All In: London takes place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, August 30.

Copeland will team with long-time friend Christian Cage as they defend the AEW World Tag Team Championship against The Young Bucks.

The match forms part of a huge Wembley card headlined by Kenny Omega defending the AEW World Championship against Will Ospreay, while Mercedes Moné is also set to challenge for the AEW Women's World Championship.

Fans can watch AEW All In live on DAZN, with the event available as a standalone pay-per-view or included as part of an eligible DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.

AEW lists a 4:30pm BST start time for All In.

To find AEW All In on DAZN:

• Open the DAZN app on your smart TV, phone, tablet, games console or streaming device, or access DAZN through a web browser.
• Sign in or create a DAZN account.
• Search "AEW" using the search function.
• Select AEW All In from the results.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to purchase the PPV, or watch with an eligible DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.