Edge vs John Cena At WWE Saturday Night's Main Event? Report Gives Update on AEW Star

Cope appeared on AEW in a backstage segment this week and told Christian Cage that he needed to leave for his family and wasn't sure he'd be back. This inevitably got tongues wagging about a possible WWE return to close the book on his storied feud with John Cena.

Fans have seemingly got too carried away, though, as a report from Mike Johnson of PWInsider suggests the 51-year-old has other plans. It's claimed that rumours of being written off AEW TV to make a one-time appearance as Cena's final opponent are "not even remotely true".

Cope is said to have been written off TV due to his acting career, as he is likely filming the latest season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. It's not the news fans will want to hear, given how eager they have been to see him become Cena's very last opponent.

The WWE Hall of Famer has been with AEW since October 2023, when his WWE contract expired, and he has since been one of the promotion's top stars. It would be almost inconceivable to see WWE's chief content officer, Triple H, and AEW President Tony Khan do business, but you can never say never in pro wrestling.

Khan allowed WWE-linked Chris Jericho to appear on Stone Cold Steve Austin's Broken Skull Sessions podcast on the WWE Network back in 2021. That was the only time a contracted AEW talent has appeared on WWE TV, and he doesn't seem open to allowing his employees to wrestle for a rival promotion.

When competing in WWE for over 16 years during two runs, Edge was undoubtedly one of John Cena's biggest rivals. The Canadian was the catalyst for Cena's surge to the top of the card as the biggest babyface in the company.

Cope (Edge) paid homage to Cena in his tag team match with Christian Cage against FTR at All Out last Saturday, just hours before his longtime rival lost to Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza. He had returned the honor after Cena similarly produced a tribute of his own to recall his feud with the Rated R Superstar.

John Cena To Wait For Cope's AEW Contract To Expire?

There is no chance that Cope will be one of John Cena's final opponents from a contractual standpoint, as many fans have suggested his AEW contract could soon expire. That isn't the case, as he revealed last December that his deal still had "about a year and a half left", which likely means an expiration date at the end of 2026.

WWE's poor handling of Cena's Farewell Tour has fans and analysts talking up a possible extension beyond the planned December 13th finish. But perhaps the only opportunity to see him have one more match could be with WrestleMania 42 in sight, given the PLE takes place just short of Edge's AEW deal expiring.

Tony Khan would likely demand something in return if the two promotions can come to an agreement. A much-desired AJ Styles AEW appearance before he too retires next year could please both parties.

Cena is often a man of his word, so many feel it would take some convincing for him to choose to extend the Farewell Tour. He has five dates left, and next on the agenda is Styles at Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia, on October 11.