Adam Copeland Set For Shock Independent Wrestling Role (AEW News)

AEW star asks indie fans if they're "ready for one more unforgettable night".

Adam Copeland
AEW

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling has posted a short promo video hyping the arrival of WWE legend and current AEW star Adam Copeland. The current reigning AEW Tag-Team Champion (he holds those belts with Christian Cage) will appear on the independent outfit's 3 October show entitled: 'Northern Rising'.

Here's the most important bit, at least for Cope: Maple Leaf Pro's show will take place at TMU’s Mattamy Athletic Centre, which was formerly known as the Maple Leaf Gardens. That's a venue Adam has long wanted to ply his trade at. Fightful noted in their write up that he's been openly talking about working the building since 2023.

There's no word yet on exactly who Copeland will be facing on the event, or if it'll be a singles or tag match. However, Cage wasn't announced in the teaser alongside him, so it looks like Adam will be flying solo for this indie trip.

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For the record, this will mark Cope's first independent date since way back in 2001. He was already a big WWF/WWE star by that point, but the then-Edge did work 2 indie dates in '01. Firstly, he teamed with Christian against Frankie Kazarian and Nova for Ultimate Pro Wrestling on 25 April. Then, he and Cage teamed again to face The Hardys and the pairing of DDP and Kanyon on HWA's 4th annual Brian Pillman Memorial show.

Since then, Edge/Copeland has only worked for WWE and AEW, although technically he has fallen under the New Japan and CMLL banners too thanks to their affiliation with All Elite on Forbidden Door events.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.