Adam Copeland was officially written off All Elite Wrestling television during the September 24 episode of Dynamite. His on-screen departure fueled speculation of a WWE return, but a new report has confirmed his hiatus is to accommodate his acting commitments for the Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
According to PWInsiderElite, rumors of Copeland leaving AEW for a retirement match against John Cena in WWE are “not even remotely true.” The report clarified that Copeland is not pursuing such a match, remains under AEW contract, and is stepping away with the company’s full support.
His temporary absence from AEW storylines allows him to continue his recurring role as Ares, the God of War, with production for the show’s latest season set to expand next month.
The kayfabe explanation for his departure was delivered in an emotional backstage promo with his tag team partner Christian Cage. The segment aired after their victory over FTR at All Out, concluding a storyline that had become deeply personal. “This is getting to my family… I gotta go,” Copeland told Cage. “I don’t know if I can come back.” The exchange ended with a handshake after Cage urged him to take care of his family.
The storyline for Copeland’s indefinite leave stemmed from the All Out angle, where FTR handcuffed him to the ropes and delivered a Spike Piledriver to his wife, Beth Phoenix, after she became involved in the match.