Adam Copeland expressed his appreciation after John Cena paid tribute to him during Cena’s WWE retirement tour. Recently on WWE SmackDown, Cena competed for the United States Championship against Sami Zayn, incorporating signature moves linked to his former opponents, including the pop-up powerbomb, Angle Slam, GTS, and Spear. This tribute was part of Cena’s effort to celebrate wrestlers he can no longer face in the ring.
Adam Copeland Reflects on Cena’s Homage and Their Wrestling Bond
On The Score, Copeland reacted to Cena’s homage, recalling,
I saw a clip, you know, a couple of days ago where he did the whole setup and everything.
Showing admiration for the gesture, Copeland highlighted the connection between him and Cena, emphasizing how their characters and timing created a memorable rivalry in WWE. He recalled the dynamic between them as unlike any other pairing.
While some confusion arose during the broadcast when WWE commentators mistakenly attributed Cena’s spear move to Roman Reigns, Cena promptly corrected the record on social media. Copeland humorously responded to the mix-up, joking about WWE commentator Michael Cole’s partiality before going deeper into their shared wrestling history.
Super fun. Yeah, it’s just fun. And I think for John and I, we’re two guys that 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 is going to click. I remember with Eddie [Guerrero] and I, the first time we wrestled, it was like, it was okay, but it should have been more than that. The next one was a little bit more, and then finally, by our third match, we were like, ‘Okay, there it is.’ Yeah.
said Copeland.
He continued to describe their partnership, noting how their opposing characters helped fuel their success and the importance of their collaboration in helping Cena ascend as a top star.
With John and I, from day one, it just clicked. And I think it was, our characters were polar opposites. I knew what the assignment was, and so did he. And I think you had two guys that 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.
The Significance of Cena’s Tribute to Past Opponents
John Cena’s tribute extended beyond Copeland to include other notable wrestlers such as Kevin Owens, Kurt Angle, and CM Punk. Using their signature maneuvers during his SmackDown appearance, Cena’s tribute was a gesture of respect toward those who shaped his career but who he will no longer face in competition.
A fan tweet summarized the homage, highlighting the moves Cena performed: the Angle Slam and Ankle Lock for Kurt Angle, the Spear for Edge, the GTS for CM Punk, and the Pop Up Powerbomb for Kevin Owens. The tribute was a reminder of Cena’s gratitude and respect for his past adversaries as part of his farewell to the WWE audience.
What Cena’s Tribute Means for the Wrestling Community Going Forward
The John Cena Tribute Wrestling moment signifies a meaningful close to an era for WWE fans and wrestlers alike. Copeland’s positive reflections reinforce how rivalries can elevate careers and build lasting legacies. As Cena’s in-ring appearances dwindle, these respectful nods symbolize his acknowledgment of the journey shared with key opponents, shaping wrestling’s evolving narrative.
For Adam Copeland and others, this tribute not only honors past performances but also celebrates the connection and professionalism inherent in wrestling’s storytelling. WWE followers can anticipate further moments of recognition during Cena’s retirement tour as he bids farewell to the sport that has defined much of its modern history.
John Cena paying homage to his past opponents :
• KURT ANGLE – Angle Slam/Ankle Lock
• EDGE – Spear
• CM PUNK – GTS
• KEVIN OWENS – Pop Up PowerbombHe wasn’t able to wrestle everyone but showed love and respect to all of them 🫡
There’ll never be another like him 💔 pic.twitter.com/hM0qLu9ZHU
— Nightmare (@Jwrasslintakes) September 6, 2025
