Why Adam Copeland Chose WWE Over AEW In 2019
Adam Copeland came "really close" to signing with AEW in 2019. Here's why he didn't!
Adam Copeland has revealed that he came "really close" to signing a deal with AEW before returning as Edge during an emotion-filled comeback at WWE's 2020 Royal Rumble event. In fact, some wrestling fans might not realise just how close he was to becoming #AllElite.
The Canadian legend told Chris Van Vliet's 'Insight' show that he decided to negotiate with everyone he could before returning, but actually wasn't 100% cleared when he did. Regardless, Copeland thrashed out some basic terms with both WWE and AEW before a crunch meeting with Vince McMahon changed everything.
He was close to inking a deal with Tony Khan before that meeting.
McMahon pointed out that the Edge character deserved some closure in WWE circles, and Copeland agreed. He was also mindful of "having to start over after having been gone for nine years", and found the thought of that "really daunting". That's understandable.
WWE won in the end, and Adam put pen-to-paper on a contract. Of course, he'd eventually branch out and join AEW in 2023.