After teaming up to defeat Kip Sabian and Killswitch at AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door 2025, Christian Cage and Adam Copeland found tension rise within their ranks. The victory sparked distrust from their opponents, with one wrestler openly questioning his partner following the loss.
Tag Team Clash at Forbidden Door Highlights Unexpected Replacement and Reunion
At the Forbidden Door event held in 2025, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage formed a tag team to face Kip Sabian and the masked wrestler Killswitch of The Matriarchy. Killswitch stepped in for Nick Wayne, who was sidelined due to an injury, marking the debut tag team match for both Copeland and Cage since their recent reunion. The match concluded with Copeland and Cage securing a hard-fought win over The Matriarchy.
Post-Match Fallout: Distrust Surfaces Within The Matriarchy
In a backstage interview after the match, Kip Sabian openly criticized Killswitch for their defeat, blaming the replacement for their failure to secure the victory. Sabian explicitly expressed that the outcome would have been different had Nick Wayne been able to participate. Furthermore, he voiced a clear lack of confidence in Killswitch as a teammate.
“If Nick Wayne was there, none of this would’ve happened. Cope and Christian would’ve been laying in that ring. Instead, Killswitch didn’t just let me down, he let us down. (…) I don’t trust him.”
—Kip Sabian, Wrestler
Shayna Wayne, also a member of The Matriarchy, attempted to ease the tension by encouraging Sabian to focus on actions that benefit their faction despite their setback. She echoed the sentiment that their loss was tied to Wayne’s absence, hinting at possible fractures developing within their stable.
Subtle Signs of Unease Between Christian Cage and Adam Copeland After Victory
Following the match, Christian Cage and Adam Copeland shared a handshake to acknowledge their teamwork, but an attempted hug from Copeland was declined by Cage. This brief but telling moment quickly gained attention on social media, suggesting lingering friction despite their successful reunion. Fans and observers are left curious about what this tension might mean for their future as a tag team, considering their history as former WWE Tag Team Champions.
The developments after Christian Cage’s AEW Forbidden Door win underscore how victories can sometimes lead to unexpected challenges, particularly around trust and unity within closely allied wrestlers. The evolving dynamics between Copeland and Cage, alongside the instability within The Matriarchy, could significantly influence upcoming AEW storylines and alliances.
