On a recent edition of the “NotSam Wrestling” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Adam “Edge” Copeland explained why he decided to be a heel instead of a babyface back during his prime.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On realizing he had to become a top heel for his generation over being a top babyface: “There was an entirely new scenario in front of me. ‘Cause in that time, these guys have made those leaps. Randy, Dave, John, Brock, damn! Now the crowds are booing me because I didn’t change anything. Then, real life adds to that, and I went right, I want to be the Roddy Piper of my generation. I want to be the Macho Man of my generation.”
On wanting to play Roddy Piper to John Cena’s Hulk Hogan: “John trusted me, I wanted him to be Hulk Hogan. And I wanted to be Roddy Piper. There can’t be a Hogan without a Piper, so this ain’t a bad place to be.”
After completing his WWE contract last year, the Superstar formerly known as Edge signed with AEW, joining the roster under his real name, Adam Copeland. At last Saturday’s AEW Worlds End 2023 pay-per-view event, Copeland beat his former friend and tag team partner, Christian Cage, to win the TNT Championship. However, after the match, Christian cashed in a title shot that Killswitch won earlier in the night during a battle royal. After Killswitch attacked Copeland, Christian took his underling’s contract and pinned Copeland to quickly regain the title.
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Adam “Edge” Copeland, a WWE Hall of Famer, recently discussed why he chose to be a heel (villainous character) instead of a babyface (heroic character) during his prime. In an episode of the “NotSam Wrestling” podcast, Copeland shared his insights and motivations behind this decision.
During his time in the wrestling industry, Copeland noticed a shift in audience preferences. He observed that wrestlers like Randy Orton, Dave Batista, John Cena, and Brock Lesnar were receiving boos from the crowd despite being portrayed as babyfaces. This made Copeland realize that he needed to adapt to the changing dynamics and embrace a different role.
In addition to the changing crowd reactions, Copeland also considered real-life factors that influenced his decision. He expressed his desire to be the modern-day equivalent of legendary wrestlers like Roddy Piper and Macho Man Randy Savage. Copeland saw himself as the Roddy Piper of his generation, while envisioning John Cena as the Hulk Hogan counterpart.
Copeland acknowledged that his decision to become a top heel was not only driven by personal aspirations but also by the need for a balance in wrestling narratives. He believed that just as there couldn’t be a Hogan without a Piper, there couldn’t be a successful babyface without a compelling villain. This perspective allowed him to embrace the role of a heel and contribute to the overall storytelling in professional wrestling.
After completing his WWE contract last year, Copeland made a surprising move by signing with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under his real name, Adam Copeland. At AEW’s Worlds End 2023 pay-per-view event, he faced his former friend and tag team partner, Christian Cage, for the TNT Championship. Copeland emerged victorious, but his celebration was short-lived as Christian cashed in a title shot he had won earlier in the night. Christian attacked Copeland and quickly regained the title.
Copeland’s transition from WWE to AEW signifies a new chapter in his wrestling career. Fans can expect to see him continue to showcase his skills and entertain audiences in a different wrestling promotion.
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In conclusion, Adam “Edge” Copeland’s decision to become a top heel instead of a babyface was influenced by the changing crowd reactions and his desire to play a significant role in wrestling narratives. His recent move to AEW further demonstrates his commitment to evolving as a wrestler and providing fans with exciting performances.