Adam Copeland returned from a nine-year retirement at the 2020 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event. Last year, the Rated R Superstar wrapped up with WWE and signed with AEW to begin a new chapter in his career.
In a recent appearance on the “Mostly Sports” podcast, Copeland, the reigning TNT Champion, discussed the differences between his two stints in wrestling. He said,
“I’ve lived a lot more life. As strange as that sounds, it actually does add to your utility belt out there. As a performer, any kind of performer, they have to dip into a place to pull the character off. It’s the same with wrestling. That, more than anything, is what I’ve noticed coming back. Some of the skillset I got in the acting I did during those nine years off, I did over 100 episodes of television when I was retired. You kind of pull those things back with you. I feel that’s the biggest difference. I might not be as fast as I used to be, but I feel mentally I’m better than I’ve ever been. That is why a guy like Tom Brady goes, ‘Yeah, well, mentally, I’m better than I’ve ever been. I see the game better than I’ve ever seen it.’ I think that’s the struggle. That’s kind of how I feel, but I’m also a realist. I don’t want to be that guy who sticks around to the point where a young guy looks at the sheet and goes, ‘Ah, okay, I have to wrestle him tonight.’ I don’t want to be that guy. I want young guys to still be excited if they’re going to hop in there with me. I figure maybe I have a year and a half left, give or take. Hopefully, I’ve gotten all the ‘yeah, yeahs’ out by that point.”
In a recent appearance on the “Under the Ring” podcast, ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe discussed The Briscoes’ epic trilogy with FTR.
Mark said, “We’re like brothers now. I definitely give the credit of that to having those matches together. I mean those matches were special and especially after–once the accident happened, it was like in hindsight, it was even more special.”
In the main event of ROH Supercard of Honor, Mark Briscoe defeated Eddie Kingston to become the new ROH World Champion.
Adam Copeland, also known as Edge, made a triumphant return to professional wrestling after a nine-year retirement at the 2020 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event. Following his departure from WWE, Copeland signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) to embark on a new chapter in his career. As the reigning TNT Champion, Copeland recently discussed the differences between his two stints in wrestling during an appearance on the “Mostly Sports” podcast.
During the podcast, Copeland highlighted how his time away from wrestling allowed him to live a more fulfilling life, which in turn enhanced his performance in the ring. He explained that the experiences and skills he gained during his retirement, particularly through his acting endeavors, added to his “utility belt” as a performer. Having appeared in over 100 episodes of television during his hiatus, Copeland found that he could draw upon those acting skills to enhance his character and overall performance in wrestling.
While Copeland acknowledged that he may not be as physically fast as he used to be, he emphasized that he feels mentally stronger than ever before. Drawing a parallel to legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady, Copeland stated that mental acuity and understanding of the game are crucial for success. He expressed his desire not to overstay his welcome in the wrestling industry, wanting to ensure that younger talents still feel excited about facing him in the ring.
Copeland humbly estimated that he may have around a year and a half left in his wrestling career. He hopes to have exhausted any lingering ego-driven motivations by that point and wants to focus on providing exciting matches for the younger generation of wrestlers. His goal is to leave a positive impact on the industry and inspire future talents.
In another wrestling-related podcast appearance, ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe discussed The Briscoes’ epic trilogy with FTR. Briscoe emphasized the bond that developed between the two teams, stating that they are now like brothers. He attributed this strong connection to the series of matches they had together, which he described as special and even more meaningful after a particular accident.
Mark Briscoe recently achieved a significant milestone in his career by defeating Eddie Kingston in the main event of ROH Supercard of Honor. This victory crowned him as the new ROH World Champion, solidifying his status as one of the top talents in the promotion.
Both Adam Copeland and Mark Briscoe’s experiences highlight the importance of growth and evolution in professional wrestling. Copeland’s return after retirement demonstrates how life experiences and skills gained outside of wrestling can enhance a performer’s abilities in the ring. Meanwhile, Briscoe’s journey showcases the power of intense rivalries and shared experiences in forging deep connections between wrestlers.
As fans, we can appreciate the dedication and passion these athletes bring to their craft. Their stories serve as a reminder that professional wrestling is not just about physicality but also about personal growth, mental strength, and the ability to create lasting memories for both themselves and the audience.