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AEW Star Adam Copeland Establishes New Timeline For His Wrestling Retirement

Originally posted on The Sportster | By Ethan Schlabaugh | Last updated Apr 30, 2025 3:28 PM ET

Cope joined AEW in 2023 after a successful WWE return.
Cope has been written off television after an attack by FTR.
Cope changed his original retirement plans, confirming he will wait until his AEW contract finishes.

Adam Copeland, also known as Cope, joined All Elite Wrestling back in October 2023 when he debuted at the end of the inaugural WrestleDream PPV. This came after a relatively successful and entertaining return to professional wrestling in the WWE, after years away due to an initial retirement. Since coming to AEW, Copeland has been able to work with his close friend Christian Cage, as well as stars like Darby Allin, Brody King, and Eddie Kingston.

Copeland is currently written off television in the meantime, as he was viciously attacked by his former Rated FTR partners, Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler, at AEW Dynasty not too long ago. In his time away, Cope has been talking on radio shows and showing up at Toronto Maple Leafs games.

How Much Longer Does Cope Have?

Back in April 2024, Copeland claimed that he may have had around 18 months left in the ring before calling it done, which would have seen him set to retire sometime around the end of 2025, but it seems those plans have changed a bit. Speaking on TSN 150's First Up with Korolnek & Calaicovo, Cope said that he doesn't think he has much longer.

He pointed out that he is 51 years old and that it takes a "good week" to finally start walking normally after a match. Concerning when he might finally hang up his boots for good, he said that he would wait for the end of his AEW contract when he is around 53 years old. Cope will be turning 53 in October 2026, potentially giving fans a bit more than a year of Cope in action.

Cope's AEW Run So Far

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Upon debuting in AEW, his first feud would be against Christian Cage as the two faced off at Full Gear in a multi-man tag match as well as Worlds End with the TNT Championship on the line. Cope would capture that belt, marking his first title since his initial retirement in 2011. He would suffer a fractured tibia after leaping from the top of a steel cage in his match against Malakai Black, putting him on the shelf for many months.

Cope has since returned and formed a short-lived faction with FTR, but an angle with them saw Cope get attacked viciously before taking some time away from the ring once again.

This article first appeared on The Sportster and was syndicated with permission.

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