Adam Copeland entered AEW after allowing his WWE deal to expire. That was quite a shocking moment for fans all over, but he’s embracing this late chapter of his career and intends to make the most of it.
During a recent discussion with Sam Roberts for the Not Sam Wrestling podcast, the Copeland shared candid feelings about wrestling at 50 years old. He still senses the addictive nature of the business and feels capable competing at a high level, but doesn’t want to overstay his welcome.
“Well, it is it is and it is addictive, yeah, there’s no way around it. I’ve tried to explain to people, ‘You got theme music and as soon as a note hits, a crowd erupts. And you get pyro, and do like, you are a puppet master in a way because you’re telling a story live, and you’re getting instant gratification to know whether that story is hitting on all cylinders. If it’s falling flat, whatever it is, that’s super fun, and there’s a lot of little stuff in there in that bottle. Yeah, and that.. that’s… that’s tough to walk away from, when I was forced to.”
After departing WWE, he looked at the AEW roster and saw new challenges and lots of talent he wants to work with. It’s important for veterans to pass along their knowledge to the next generation, but Copeland says some ‘legends’ just don’t know when to walk away. He doesn’t want to be that 60 year old guy who is clinging on to the past.
“I don’t mean that in a disrespectful way at all, but I just don’t want to be that guy… maybe this is how I know I’m getting older. I’m at the point now where when I saw Dennis Stamp on ‘Beyond The Mat’ and I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s the guy you don’t want to be.’ But now I’m like, there is a certain romance to being that guy who’s just like, ‘Nope, this is my life and this is what I’m doing and I’m fully just I’m accepting it.”
Dennis Stamp was featured in Beyond The Mat, and his part in the documentary was both sad and enlightening for many. Copeland does not want to repeat any of those mistakes that he has seen veterans make as they cling onto the spotlight, even chasing it to disastrous ends.
When will Adam Copeland retire?
Adam Copeland has been given the gift to retire on his terms, so when will that be? He’s trying to stay realistic and sees himself competing for two or three years tops.
“Even though it’s been four or five years back now, it’s not like I got another four or five in front of me. I know I don’t. We’re looking at like a two year window here to be able to get as much done as I can get done, tell as many stories as I can”
Copeland and Christian are still engaged in a feud on television. This is something that Copeland wanted out of his time in AEW, but he also wants to work with other stars that he has not had a chance to share the ring with yet.
Through it all, Adam Copeland may be approaching an actual in-ring retirement eventually, but he will not lose focus or perspective.