Adam Copeland isn’t announcing his retirement, but he’s no longer pretending the end of his wrestling career is somewhere far off in the distance. At 52 years old and after losing nearly a decade of his career to neck problems, Copeland understands that every major appearance could be one of his last.
While speaking to Rob Wolkenbrod of Forbes, Copeland discussed preparing for his first All In match and his first appearance inside Wembley Stadium. He and Christian Cage will defend the AEW World Tag Team Championship against the Young Bucks on August 30.
Copeland was asked whether having wrestling taken away through retirement and later injuries changed how he processes major moments. He admitted that he now makes a deliberate effort to stop, look around and absorb experiences he once might have rushed through.
“Yeah, I think so. I think having lost this once and coming back—and I think you can also see me doing it every time—I make a point to try and soak in that experience.”
“When you’re in your 20s and 30s, you just don’t think about the end. That’s a ways off. But now you have to think about that, and because of that, I think it’s caused me to really just be in the moment and not be anxious about this, that or the other.”
“I just want to go out and have fun doing the only thing I ever wanted to do.”
Copeland was forced to retire in 2011 because of cervical spinal stenosis. He completed a stunning return nine years later, but his comeback hasn’t been free of setbacks. Additional injuries have forced him back onto the sidelines and served as reminders that his body can only take so much more punishment.
That reality has changed the way Copeland approaches nights like All In. Wembley isn’t just another stadium or another title defense to check off the schedule. It’s a chance to experience something entirely new while he can still physically do the job he spent his life chasing.
There’s no retirement date on the calendar yet, but Copeland is clearly wrestling with the end in mind. Instead of allowing that to make him anxious, he’s using it as a reason to enjoy every crowd, every match and every remaining opportunity before the final bell eventually rings.
How much longer do you think Adam Copeland should continue wrestling, and what matches do you want to see before he retires? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
