Cope Dismisses Popular Fan Theory On AEW

Cope is happy to do whatever he’s asked in AEW.

On the March 19 edition of Dynamite, Jon Moxley successfully defended the AEW World Championship against Cope in a wild Street Fight.

During the match, Cope suplexed Jon Moxley onto Spike — a bat filled with nails. These nails then became embedded in Moxley’s back as the referee and Wheeler Yuta struggled to get the bat free.

The gruesome spot led to some on social media suggesting Moxley was being given too much control when it came to using hardcore spots in his matches. Meanwhile, Cope has also been criticised by a section of fans who claim he shouldn’t have been in main event matches for the World Championship.

Cope Says Life In AEW Is About Collaboration

While speaking to TV Insider, Cope gave an insight into AEW’s creative process and dismissed the idea that he and other wrestlers work out their own finishes. The topic of creative control has been ever-present in AEW since the day the company was launched, but Cope remained adamant that the process remains a collaboration.

“I don’t factor in where I end up. I always say, ‘Where do you need me? You want me to go in this direction? Cool, I’ll start putting together some ideas.’ It’s a collaborative effort, but I really enjoy that. I enjoy piecing together stories.

Contrary to popular belief, we don’t come up with the finishes. I always just ask where do you need me? Point me in whatever direction you need me, and I’ll get to work. On coming back, it felt like, ‘Okay, you want me here because I’m coming back from an injury, I’m nominated for an Emmy and we want to capitalize on that buzz. Cool, let’s do this.’

Then we would try to do a cohesive story with the Death Riders and try to get them some momentum going forward.”

During the same interview, Cope admitted his wife Beth Phoenix hasn’t ruled out joining him AEW. Phoenix hasn’t wrestled since teaming with Cope at Elimination Chamber 2023, and she’s currently a free agent.

Despite his second loss to Moxley, Cope’s battle with the Death Riders is far from over. At Dynasty, Cope will team with FTR to challenge Wheeler Yuta, PAC, and Claudio Castagnoli for the World Trios Titles.

Meanwhile, Jon Moxley will defend the AEW World Championship against Swerve Strickland. The challenger has a great history with Dynasty having won the World Championship for the first time at the 2024 edition of the event.