On the night dedicated to John Cena‘s retirement in December 2025, questions swirled regarding whether Adam Copeland, now with AEW, could make an appearance if WWE had asked. Tony Khan on Adam Copeland became a point of curiosity, and AEW’s CEO had a direct explanation during a revealing interview.
Tony Khan Explains Copeland’s Absence from Cena’s Farewell
As John Cena said goodbye in the main event of WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, 2025, fans voiced their desire for Adam Copeland (formerly Edge) to be Cena’s final adversary. Despite this, Copeland was not part of the event, and speculation grew about a potential special appearance.
During his conversation with Adrian Hernandez on “Unlikely,” Tony Khan addressed what he would have done if WWE had requested to borrow Copeland for Cena’s retirement. Khan made the situation clear, stating:
“Adam’s [Copeland] in England shooting a huge Hollywood movie.”
With Copeland occupied overseas and busy with his acting commitments, a return to WWE, even for one night, was not on the table. The timing of his film project successfully ruled out any hope of a surprise appearance, explaining to fans why Copeland was missing during Cena’s celebrated farewell.
Tributes Across Rival Promotions Highlight a Legendary Feud
The final WWE event for Cena was marked not just by his achievements but also by a quiet exchange of respect between him and Copeland. While Cena faced Sami Zayn for the United States Championship during the fall, he performed the Spear, paying clear homage to Edge’s iconic move. The WWE commentary team tried to label it as Roman Reigns’ finisher, but longtime viewers recognized the tribute and its significance.
Big Match John—one of Cena’s several monikers—furthered this acknowledgment online, posting a photo of Copeland and highlighting their years-long rivalry. The moment resonated deeply among wrestling enthusiasts, as reflected by fans:
“John Cena paying homage to his greatest rival edge was another beautiful moment ❤❤Really wish we had this match one last time aswell. pic.twitter.com/qlOFt7m6Hahttps://t.co/qTpL11bn8i”—YouCantTweetMe (@el_ayaan)
The sentiment carried over to AEW as well. At the AEW All Out pay-per-view on September 20, 2025, Adam Copeland returned the gesture by delivering Cena’s famous 5 Knuckle Shuffle move in his own match, drawing cheers and social media buzz. As expressed in a live reaction:
“Adam Copeland pays tribute to John Cena by using his signature moves.#AEWAllOutpic.twitter.com/1wuQUx3Sb5″—Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps)
These moments served as mutual nods to each other’s legacy, transcending company lines and emphasizing the respect both performers hold for their shared history.
Reflections on Missed Opportunities and Enduring Rivalry
Adam Copeland, known through much of his career as Edge, departed WWE after a final match with Sheamus in Canada in August 2023. He soon resurfaced as a major star with All Elite Wrestling. Meanwhile, John Cena officially retired as a WWE performer in July 2024. Their wrestling paths diverged, but their iconic rivalry continued to capture fans’ imaginations.
In a prior interview, Copeland addressed the idea of settling their rivalry within WWE when both were under the company’s umbrella between 2020 and 2023. He recalled that, although they were both present—albeit as part-timers—multiple factors made another showdown unlikely, stating:
“it didn’t feel like it was going to work out,”
Copeland reflected on how fans remembered the younger, prime versions of both stars. He pondered if a reunion in recent years would have confused or disappointed devoted followers who cherished the original feud. Both men agreed that the dynamic of a top babyface like Cena against a monster heel like Edge produced classic moments that didn’t need updating.
Their exchanges of respect, both in and out of the ring, solidified their places in wrestling history. As Hall of Famers and enduring fan favorites, the rivalry between Copeland and Cena stands as one of WWE’s most beloved chapters. The chapter may have closed without one final match, but their mutual tributes remain powerful reminders of what made their competition special. Looking ahead, both wrestlers will be remembered for honoring their craft and each other, with new generations continuing to celebrate their legendary encounters.
John Cena paying homage to his greatest rival edge was another beautiful moment ❤❤
Really wish we had this match one last time aswell. pic.twitter.com/qlOFt7m6Ha https://t.co/qTpL11bn8i
— YouCantTweetMe (@el_ayaan) December 13, 2025
Adam Copeland pays tribute to John Cena by using his signature moves.#AEWAllOut
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) September 20, 2025
