During his 2025 retirement tour, John Cena addressed why a highly anticipated farewell match against longtime rival Adam Copeland, known as Edge in WWE, never came to fruition. Speaking to The Takedown, Cena explained that although the dream encounter never happened, he and Copeland stayed connected throughout the 36-date trek.
Limited Tour Dates Prevented Desired Showdown
Cena expressed that the tour’s tight scheduling allowed only so much flexibility, making it impossible to include every meaningful opponent.
“I talk to Adam all the time. I have great respect for him. We refer to each other as ‘old shoe’ because Adam’s got a very special place in my heart. Now here we both are, celebrating a long living space in a wonderful business. So I talk to him often. I think both of us understood about something like (the retirement tour) it is the sports entertainment business. But then again, I only had 36 dates. I can’t work with everybody,”
Cena said.
Speculation on Cross-Promotional Matches Unfulfilled
Rumors had suggested a potential cross-company match between WWE and AEW might facilitate a Cena-Copeland finale. However, Tony Khan, AEW’s president, confirmed no outreach was made by WWE to collaborate on such an event, putting those hopes aside.
Reflecting on a Storied Career and Rivals
Cena recalled the many opponents who influenced his journey, including legends like Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Batista, and The Great Khali. Still, Copeland occupies a uniquely significant place as their bitter rivalry defined much of WWE’s mid-2000s era, through intense TLC matches and championship battles.
Mutual Respect Visible Across Promotional Lines
Even without one final match, Cena and Copeland recently exchanged gestures to honor their shared history. In September, Cena surprised fans with a Spear move during a Chicago appearance, while Copeland replied by performing his signature “Five Knuckle Shuffle” at AEW All Out in Toronto. Cena described their connection as effortless, saying it felt
“like putting on an old pair of shoes.”
The Future of the Cena-Copeland Rivalry
As WWE’s focus shifts to new rivalries and upcoming talent ahead of WrestleMania 42, a concluding Cena-Copeland showdown seems unlikely. Nonetheless, Cena’s reflections reveal a lasting friendship and mutual admiration that continue beyond the ring, preserving the legacy of one of sports entertainment’s defining rivalries.
