At the All Out 2025 pay-per-view, AEW star Adam Copeland, formerly known as Edge in WWE, paid a touching tribute to John Cena by mimicking Cena’s signature taunts and moves during a tag team match alongside FTR. This tribute caught the attention of many, including WWE veteran Freddie Prinze Jr., who shared his thoughts on the homage and reflected on Cena’s own recent nods to Copeland.
Prinze, who has a background as a WWE writer and producer, discussed these moments on his platform Wrestling with Freddie. He recalled how Cena had previously honored Copeland during a bout against Sami Zayn, performing Copeland’s signature spear maneuver during the match.
“This match was awesome, but the part that kinda like tickled my heart was when Cena had his match, I think it was against Sami Zayn. He was like shouting out all his bros in wrestling by doing their moves right? And he did Edge’s spear and he did the like, ‘come on, get up, get up you son of a…” […]
– Freddie Prinze Jr., WWE veteran and wrestling commentator
Freddie further expressed how much Copeland’s tribute to Cena resonated with him, noting the rarity of seeing Copeland embrace moves so distinctively associated with Cena.
“The good energy was returned in full by Edge as he legit did the Cena, you can’t see me and the shuffle, brush the dirt off his shoulder and hit him, which is so out of character for Edge. But for Adam Copeland at AEW, it feels right and it just made me smile when I saw it in the match.”
– Freddie Prinze Jr., WWE veteran and wrestling commentator
Clarifying Rumors: Adam Copeland’s AEW Future and WWE Return Speculations
Following Copeland’s heartfelt homage to John Cena, speculation grew among wrestling fans that he might make a surprise return to WWE, potentially to face Cena during Cena’s retirement tour. The two have a storied rivalry, which fueled hopes for a high-profile showdown.
However, these rumors were recently dispelled when reports confirmed that Copeland has not been slated to return to WWE in the near future. Instead, the Rated R Superstar’s absence from AEW programming, following his written off status on the latest episode of Dynamite, is due to his filming commitments for the concluding season of the television adaptation of the Percy Jackson series.
This development confirms that Copeland’s AEW presence will be on hold for the foreseeable future, much to the anticipation of fans eager to see when he might reappear on screen.
What This Tribute Means for AEW and Its Fans
Adam Copeland’s respectful nod to John Cena not only highlights the mutual admiration shared between generations of wrestling stars but also bridges the worlds of WWE and AEW in a meaningful way. Such moments emphasize the enduring legacies of top wrestlers and their influence across promotions.
With Freddie Prinze Jr.’s reflections bringing further attention to this exchange, fans are reminded of the camaraderie behind the competitive matches. While Copeland temporarily steps away from AEW due to other professional pursuits, his tribute cements his respect for Cena and raises anticipation for future showdowns, whether within AEW or beyond.
As the wrestling world watches closely, Copeland’s tribute is seen as a symbol of unity and mutual respect in an otherwise fiercely rivalrous industry, offering hope for more memorable moments that celebrate wrestling’s icons.
Credits for quotes: Wrestling with Freddie on YT; transcription courtesy Sportskeeda Wrestling.
Edge just paid tribute to John Cena by doing his iconic Five Knuckle Shuffle.
Love it ♥️
— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) September 20, 2025
