Adam Copeland wasn’t at this week’s episode of AEW Rampage, but the company did give a nod to the Rated R Superstar’s days before joining WWE.
Copeland joined AEW at WrestleDream in October 2023 and has been feuding with Christian Cage ever since. The two competed over the TNT Championship during a December episode of Dynamite which saw Cage retain the title. At AEW Worlds End, Copeland won the title, marking his first championship win in nearly 13 years. Unfortunately, his reign would be short-lived as thanks to Killswitch, Cage was able to reclaim the title moments later.
AEW’s Tribute to Sexton Hardcastle
Before he was known as Edge in WWE, Adam Copeland worked under the infamous name of Sexton Hardcastle on the independent scene in his native Canada. While fans didn’t see Sexton Hardcastle on Rampage, they did see Kennedi Hardcastle compete in a tag-team match.
While some may have seen this as a mere coincidence, further investigation shows that this was a deliberate reference by AEW. Kennedi Hardcastle’s real name is Kennedi Copeland, and though she shares the same last name as the former World Champion, the two aren’t related. On Twitter, Kennedi confirmed this wasn’t a coincidence and admitted to being a huge fangirl of the WWE Hall of Famer.
Admittedly I’m a huge fangirl. It’s a good thing he wasn’t there bc I would have lost my shit. ?
— Kennedi Hardcastle (@KennDawgHard) January 6, 2024
AEW Rampage Results: January 5, 2024
Here are the results for the January 5, 2024, edition of AEW Rampage:
- The Hardys and Mark Briscoe defeated The Butcher, Blade, and Kip Sabian.
- Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale defeated Kennedi Hardcastle and Notorious Mimi
- Hikaru Shida defeated Anna Jay
- Wheeler Yuta (c) defeated Komander (Ring of Honor PURE Championship)