AEW Star Credits Adam Copeland as a Wrestling Mentor
An AEW wrestler has spoken out approximately his deep and personal bond with Adam Copeland, the previous WWE Hall of Famer acknowledged to hundreds of thousands as “Edge.” Copeland, a dominant pressure in professional wrestling for over two a long time, transitioned to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) a 12 months ago throughout the inaugural AEW WrestleDream pay-according to-view. This marked a pivotal moment for Copeland, who spent 25 years constructing an unrivaled legacy in WWE earlier than becoming a member of AEW to take on fresh challenges and new adversaries.
Since moving into the AEW ring, Copeland’s time has been nothing brief of extraordinary. He finished reigns because the TNT Champion and engaged in an severe and emotional rivalry along with his lifelong pal Christian Cage. However, regardless of his achievement, Copeland’s momentum got here to a surprising halt after struggling a severe harm. At the May “Double or Nothing” pay-consistent with-view occasion, Copeland’s daring soar from the pinnacle of a metallic cage ended in a damaged leg, sidelining him for the rest of the 12 months. The wrestling international can also should wait until 2025 to peer the mythical competitor again in action.
Cash Wheeler’s Journey with Adam Copeland
One of the celebs in AEW who has had a specifically near relationship with Copeland is Cash Wheeler, part of the famous FTR tag team alongside Dax Harwood. The duo, just like Copeland, hails from North Carolina and shares a private connection with the wrestling icon and his spouse, Beth Phoenix. During an look on AEW Close Up hosted by way of Renee Paquette, Wheeler offered an interior have a look at his courting with Copeland, describing him now not just as a colleague, however as a mentor and a father figure.
“Adam and Beth have been my wrestling parents for 12, 13 years now,” Wheeler explained. “I met Adam when he first moved to Asheville, [North Carolina] back in 2009. He was still world champion at the time, but he took the time to guide me, without me even asking. He just wanted to help.”
Wheeler reflected on how Copeland, even before they grew close, made an effort to ensure that he was learning the ins and outs of the business. Wheeler credited Copeland and Phoenix for taking care of him in ways that went beyond professional advice. “Before I ever had anything to offer them, they went out of their way to make sure I was learning, that I had stuff, that I was growing. They took care of me. That’s just what they do.”
A Personal Connection Beyond Wrestling
For Wheeler, his relationship with Copeland and Phoenix grew beyond wrestling. He witnessed the beginning of Copeland’s relationship with Phoenix, recalling fond memories of the early days. “I was there when they first started dating. It was so cute. Adam would say, ‘I think Beth likes me,’ and I was like, ‘Dude, of course, she likes you.’”
Copeland and Phoenix formally commenced relationship in 2011, and the pair subsequently tied the knot in 2016. Together, they proportion daughters, rounding out a own family that remains intently related to the wrestling network.
Though Copeland can be sidelined, his impact and mentorship keep to form the careers of many, specifically growing stars like Cash Wheeler. In an industry as extreme and competitive as professional wrestling, the bonds of mentorship and friendship are rare and valuable—and Wheeler’s testimony is evidence of the iconic impact that Adam Copeland has had on the ones around him.