Tony Khan Reveals True Reason for Adam Copeland’s Absence from AEW

Adam Copeland Steps Away From AEW for Acting Role in Disney+ Series

Published: October 21, 2025

Adam Copeland, also known as Edge, has temporarily departed from All Elite Wrestling
(AEW) to pursue an acting chance, AEW President Tony Khan has confirmed.

Dramatic Exit Paved the Way for New Role

Copeland’s departure from AEW programming followed a tumultuous storyline at AEW All
out on September 20, 2025.The event saw Copeland and Christian Cage secure victory
over FTR, but the celebration was short-lived. A subsequent attack on Copeland’s
wife, Beth Phoenix, by FTR escalated the feud, culminating in Copeland’s emotional
announcement that he was stepping away from the promotion indefinitely.

Initial reports suggested the storyline was crafted to facilitate Copeland’s pursuit
of another career path, and those reports have now been validated by Khan.

Copeland to Portray Ares in ‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians’

Tony Khan revealed in a recent interview with Z100 New York that Copeland is
currently engaged in filming the upcoming season of Disney+’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians. He will be playing the powerful character of Ares, the Greek God of war.

“Adam Copeland’s a huge part of AEW,” Khan stated.”Adam’s out filming right now.
He’s a huge star in AEW. We love having Adam copeland, The Rated-R Superstar in AEW
and I’m excited for him to be back in AEW, hopefully soon after this project is done,
and he’s taking care of business and then Adam will come back and we’ll get Adam
Copeland taking care of the business in the ring in AEW.”

This marks a significant venture for Copeland into the realm of television acting,
leveraging his established star power into a new entertainment medium.

The Rise of Wrestler-Actors

Copeland is not the first professional wrestler to successfully transition into
acting. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, John Cena, and Dave Bautista are prime examples
of athletes who have found considerable success in Hollywood. According to
Statista,
Dwayne Johnson movies have grossed over $12.6 billion worldwide as of November
2023, demonstrating the marketability of wrestling stars in the film industry.

Wrestler	Notable Roles	Key Films/Series
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson	Lead Actor	Fast & Furious franchise, Jumanji series
John Cena	Supporting Actor	The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker (series)
Dave Bautista	Supporting Actor	Guardians of the galaxy franchise, Dune
Adam copeland	Ares	percy Jackson & the Olympians (series)

Did You Know?

The crossover appeal of professional wrestlers is often attributed to their
athleticism, charisma, and ability to portray larger-than-life characters.

Pro Tip:

For wrestlers transitioning to acting, training in improvisation and scene study
can be invaluable for honing their craft.

The Future of AEW and Copeland’s Return

While Copeland’s absence is a temporary setback for AEW, the promotion remains
robust with a talented roster and compelling storylines. His eventual return is
anticipated to inject further excitement into the AEW landscape. The timeframe for
his comeback will depend on the production schedule for percy Jackson & the Olympians.

The decision for Copeland to explore this acting role highlights the evolving
career paths available to modern professional wrestlers.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Adam Copeland doing? Adam Copeland is currently filming
  a role as Ares in the Disney+ series Percy Jackson & the Olympians.
• Will Adam Copeland return to AEW? Yes, Tony Khan has indicated
  that Copeland is expected to return to AEW after completing his filming commitments.
• What role does Copeland play in ‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians’?
  Copeland will portray Ares, the Greek God of War.
• Was Copeland’s departure from AEW planned? Yes, the storyline
  leading to Copeland’s departure was designed to allow him to pursue this acting
  opportunity.
• How does this fit into the trend of wrestlers becoming actors?
  Copeland’s move continues a growing trend of professional wrestlers successfully
  transitioning into acting roles, following in the footsteps of Dwayne johnson and
  John Cena.

What are your thoughts on Copeland’s new role? Do you think we’ll see more wrestlers
making the jump to customary acting? Share your opinions in the comments below!

What specific match led to Adam Copeland’s fractured fibula, and when did it occur?

The Injury That Sideline Adam Copeland

For weeks, speculation ran rampant regarding the absence of adam copeland (formerly Edge in WWE) from All Elite Wrestling (AEW) programming.Theories ranged from creative disagreements to personal issues. However, during a recent interview on the Busted Open Radio show, Tony Khan, President of AEW, finally addressed the situation, confirming that Copeland is currently sidelined due to a legitimate injury sustained during a match. Specifically, Khan revealed Copeland suffered a fractured fibula.

This revelation puts to rest many of the rumors circulating online and provides a clear description for his extended absence. The injury occurred during a tag team match against The Young Bucks on the October 4th edition of AEW Dynamite. While initially believed to be a minor strain, subsequent medical evaluation revealed the severity of the fracture.

Details of the Injury and Recovery Timeline

Khan emphasized the seriousness of the injury, stating that Copeland underwent immediate medical attention.

* Fractured fibula: The injury is a fracture to the fibula, the smaller of the two bones in the lower leg.

* initial Misdiagnosis: Initially, the injury was thought to be a severe sprain, leading to a shorter initial estimate for recovery.

* Surgery Not Required: Fortunately, the fracture does not require surgical intervention, allowing for a more conservative rehabilitation approach.

* Estimated Return: Khan indicated a projected recovery timeline of approximately 8-10 weeks, perhaps seeing Copeland return to the ring in early 2026. This timeline is, of course, subject to change based on Copeland’s progress in physical therapy.

Impact on AEW Storylines and Championship plans

Copeland’s absence significantly impacts several ongoing storylines within AEW. He was in the midst of a heated rivalry with Christian Cage, a feud that captivated fans and generated considerable buzz.

* Christian Cage’s Role: With Copeland out, Christian Cage’s storyline has been temporarily paused, though he continues to appear on AEW programming.

* TNT Championship Implications: Copeland was a recent TNT Champion, and his injury forced him to relinquish the title. The subsequent tournament to crown a new champion has provided opportunities for other talent to shine.

* Tag Team Division: His tag team partnership with Luchasaurus is also on hold, impacting the dynamics of the AEW tag team division.

* AEW Roster Adjustments: AEW has had to adjust its booking plans to accommodate Copeland’s absence, giving increased exposure to other wrestlers.

Copeland’s History with Injuries & AEW’s Medical Protocol

Adam Copeland has a well-documented history of injuries throughout his professional wrestling career,particularly during his time in WWE. AEW has been proactive in addressing concerns about wrestler safety and has implemented stringent medical protocols.

* AEW’s Medical Team: AEW employs a dedicated medical team led by Dr. Sampson, who oversees all medical evaluations and treatment plans for its wrestlers.

* Pre-Match Assessments: Wrestlers undergo thorough pre-match medical assessments to identify any potential risks.

* Post-Match Evaluations: Following matches, wrestlers are evaluated to ensure thier well-being and to detect any injuries that may have occurred.

* Independent Medical Opinions: AEW encourages wrestlers to seek independent medical opinions to ensure they receive the best possible care.

Fan Reaction and Social Media Buzz

The news of Copeland’s injury was met with an outpouring of support from fans and fellow wrestlers on social media. The hashtag #GetWellSoonEdge trended on Twitter (now X) for several hours.Many fans expressed their concern for Copeland’s health and wished him a speedy recovery.

* Social Media Support: Wrestlers like Kenny Omega,the Young Bucks,and Chris Jericho publicly expressed their support for Copeland.

* Fan Messages: Thousands of fans sent messages of encouragement to Copeland via social media platforms.

* AEW’s Official Statement: AEW released an official statement acknowledging the injury and thanking fans for their support.

Looking Ahead: Copeland