Cope defended his brutal AEW World Championship match against Jon Moxley despite fan criticism. The March 19 Dynamite bout saw Moxley take a painful bump onto exposed nails. “I don’t really care about the reaction, besides the live reaction,” Cope told Inside The Ropes. He emphasized the live crowd’s positive response to the dangerous spot.
The Rated-R Superstar acknowledged wrestling’s evolving violence levels. He noted today’s audiences expect more extreme content than previous eras.
“Things just naturally tend to get ‘more’ as time goes on,” Cope explained. He compared wrestling’s evolution to technological advances from dial-up to AI.
While understanding fan concerns, Cope prioritizes in-arena reactions over post-show criticism. The veteran believes performers must adapt to wrestling’s changing landscape. The nail board spot drew significant online backlash for its graphic nature. Cope maintains he gauges success by immediate crowd engagement rather than social media discourse.
“That’s how I gauge things,” he stated regarding live audience responses. The former WWE star continues pushing boundaries in AEW’s competitive environment.