Ex-WWE Star Makes Shock Appearance On AEW Collision

A former WWE Superstar made a surprise appearance on AEW Collision.

After winning the TNT Championship in an “I Quit” match against former best friend Christian Cage, Adam Copeland brought back his open challenge on Collision.

Matt Cardona answered the challenge but was ultimately defeated thanks to a Spear. The pair have a lengthy history that goes all the way back to 2007 when they were both with WWE. Cardona, known as Zack Ryder, teamed with Brian Myers (Curt Hawkins) and formed part of the La Familia stable with Copeland, Vickie Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero.

Cardona has wrestled in AEW previously, competing twice in 2020. Despite the match on Collision, the star hasn’t signed with AEW according to a report from Fightful Select.

Adam Copeland Almost Retired With WWE

While still with WWE in August 2023, Copeland — known as Edge at the time, took on Sheamus in a very special match on SmackDown. The bout took place in the veteran’s hometown of Toronto and was billed as the final time he would wrestle in the city. There were even hints that he might never wrestle again.

Although he later returned to the ring with AEW, Adam Copeland recently admitted he did come close to retirement. The WWE Hall of Famer said that when he got out of the ring that night, his future hung in the balance.