In a recent conversation with “Sports Illustrated,” professional wrestler Adam “Cope” Copeland candidly discussed his career, remarking that he knows it’s winding down and he’s making the most of it while he can.
Added to the topic of his imminent career end, Copeland shared some thoughts about the Death Riders plot in wrestling—a narrative he confessed to not comprehending completely in its early stages.
Highlights from Copeland’s interview are summarized below:
On the twilight of his career: “It’s clear to me now that all of this is temporary. Nothing lasts forever. The last time around, my career ended abruptly, and I didn’t have the chance to fully immerse myself in the experience, to appreciate it for what it was. Now that I’m aware my career is on the downswing, it gives me the opportunity to savor every moment of it.”
On his championship confrontation with Jon Moxley: “I felt it was the opportune moment to initiate a title program. Moxley presented himself as the suitable contender. They were in dire need of a solid hero character to solidify their brand. Given my 30 years in front of the camera, I thought the audience would recognize and identify with me, making me the ideal hero for the current times. I believed I could significantly contribute to what they were aiming to communicate.”
On the importance of narrative in matches: “At this level, everyone is capable of performing impressive wrestling techniques. But determining the right timing and position is what separates the brilliant from the good. This becomes easier when there’s an underlying storyline. The tale of Nana and Jimmy Rave’s robe, for instance, took the match between Ricochet and Swerve to a different level. I have always said, adding a storyline enriches the experience.”
On his view of the Death Riders plot: “Initially, I found it baffling. I wanted to understand what was going on, to uncover the narrative alongside the viewers. Once there, I felt the need to tackle the Death Riders who always had the numerical advantage tactically, leaving me searching for a way to overcome my disadvantage. As I visualized it, the key moment was the revelation that my friends were being targeted. That spurred me into action.”