As speculation builds around how Tony Khan could reintroduce Adam Copeland in AEW, fans are beginning to look at potential scenarios for the star’s return in the coming year. With Copeland away from All Elite Wrestling since his last high-profile match, the wrestling community eagerly awaits how the AEW President and creative lead might capitalize on the superstar’s comeback to Jacksonville-based programming.
Recapping Adam Copeland’s AEW Journey and Hiatus
Adam Copeland, universally recognized as The Rated-R Superstar, made waves when he joined All Elite Wrestling at WrestleDream 2023. During his time in AEW, Copeland quickly embedded himself into the company’s culture, working matches against top-level talent, partnering with notable figures like Christian Cage, and even notching a memorable run as TNT Champion. His journey also included facing and mentoring rising stars, earning Copeland the admiration of fans and peers alike.
Following a headline-grabbing tag match that saw Copeland and Christian Cage secure victory over FTR at All Out: Toronto, Copeland stepped away from AEW. During this absence, he focused on projects beyond wrestling. Recently, however, whispers of his return resurfaced after his name appeared in a video package connected to Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler. The mounting rumors suggest that Tony Khan could soon make Copeland’s comeback a reality, aiming to energize AEW as 2026 approaches.
Copeland and Christian Cage Targeting FTR for Tag Team Gold
One approach Tony Khan might take is to reunite Copeland and Christian Cage as a dominant tag team, renewing their rivalry with FTR. Their shared history with FTR remains unresolved, ignited at All In: Texas when Copeland dramatically returned to save Christian from betrayal by The Patriarchy, who staged an attempted assault with FTR in support.
The duo of Copeland and Cage, after repairing their storied partnership, rose to prominence in iconic fashion. Their wins over Kip Sabian and Luchasaurus at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025, and then FTR at All Out: Toronto, further boosted their tag credentials. A heated encounter unfolded at All Out when Copeland’s wife, Beth Phoenix, intervened to stop FTR’s manager, Stokely Hathaway. This act provoked Dax and Cash, who retaliated against both Cope and Phoenix in dramatic fashion, escalating tensions between both teams.
Following that turbulent confrontation, Copeland chose to take time away for family reasons, leaving both he and Cage off television. Meanwhile, FTR reclaimed the AEW World Tag Team Titles and fended off challengers like Juice Robinson and Austin Gunn, positioning themselves atop the division. However, many fans and insiders wonder if unfinished business with the tag team legends could lead to one final, climactic clash over the coveted belts—potentially marking the return and championship resurgence of Copeland and Cage.
The Quest to Reclaim the TNT Championship
Another compelling storyline could see Adam Copeland setting his sights back on the TNT Championship. After an intense exchange with Christian Cage at Worlds End 2023, Copeland ultimately secured the TNT title in March 2024. He went on to defend it successfully against a series of formidable opponents, including Matt Cardona, Penta El Zero Miedo, Buddy Matthews and Brody King from The House of Black, Kyle O’Reilly, and a high-stakes victory over Malakai Black in a Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match at Double or Nothing 2024.
The physical toll of AEW competition was apparent when Copeland suffered a fractured tibia following an aerial assault on Malakai Black, forcing him to vacate the TNT Championship. Upon his return at the end of 2024, Copeland focused on the AEW Men’s World Championship but found the top prize elusive following several hard-fought attempts against Jon Moxley.
Currently, Mark Briscoe holds the TNT Title but is on a collision course with Kyle Fletcher, the previous champion. Should Fletcher regain the belt, a rivalry with Adam Copeland could develop, with the returning legend aiming to once again symbolize the “Face of TNT.” Such a program would offer Fletcher a star-making opportunity if he could overcome a celebrated Hall of Famer and cement himself among AEW’s elite.
Potential High-Stakes Feud with MJF for the AEW World Title
As Copeland approaches the twilight of his wrestling career—an eventual retirement hinted at during an interview last April—a final run for the AEW Men’s World Championship remains a tantalizing option. After returning from an initial retirement in 2020, Copeland completed one last storied chapter in WWE before joining AEW, where he has enjoyed notable success apart from his world title program with Jon Moxley, which drew mixed fan reactions.
Setting up a retirement angle, Tony Khan could book Adam Copeland in a dramatic, career-defining feud against current champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF). MJF, known as The Wolf of Wrestling, reclaimed his world title at Worlds End 2025 and is set to defend it against Bandido on Dynamite: Maximum Carnage. With other top stars like Hangman Page, Swerve Strickland, and Kenny Omega also eyeing the top prize, the world title scene remains highly competitive.
If MJF retains his championship into 2026, a feud with the returning Copeland could provide powerful storytelling. Both men excel in character work, promising an emotionally loaded rivalry that could culminate in a Title vs Career match. Such a showdown would present the opportunity for MJF to solidify his own legacy by potentially being the one to end Copeland’s legendary career, amplifying the stakes for fans and wrestlers alike.
What the Future Holds for Adam Copeland in AEW
The anticipation around Tony Khan reintroducing Adam Copeland in AEW is fueled by unresolved storylines, competitive rivalries, and the legend’s enduring appeal. Whether Copeland and Christian Cage reunite to challenge for the tag team championships, Copeland seeks redemption as TNT Champion, or a blockbuster feud with MJF signals the end of his in-ring journey, each path offers high stakes and emotional resonance. As AEW prepares to enter a pivotal phase, all eyes are fixed on how Copeland’s next chapter will unfold, and what it will mean for the company, its stars, and its fans.
MJF on Adam Copeland: "I think he's another guy that's coming into my company that wants my spot, and he's got another thing coming if he thinks he's gonna take it." pic.twitter.com/rp9PVqBevA
— Drainmaker (@TheDrainmaker) October 2, 2023
