The mutual respect between John Cena and Adam Copeland was on full display this weekend. After Copeland’s tribute at AEW All Out 2025, Cena responded on Instagram with a throwback photo of the Rated R Superstar holding his custom WWE title.
During his tag team win with Christian Cage over FTR at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, Copeland hit Cash Wheeler with Cena’s signature taunts. He delivered the “You can’t see me” and the Five Knuckle Shuffle before finishing the sequence with an Attitude Adjustment, drawing a massive ovation.
This homage came weeks after Copeland dismissed speculation of a final match with his longtime rival. In an interview with Rock 95 Barrie, he stated: “No, we had the chance. I was still there, and it just didn’t feel like it was going to work out.”
Cena’s Instagram post was his latest nod to Copeland, following his use of a spear against Sami Zayn on WWE SmackDown. The 17-time world champion also referred to Copeland as one of his “wrestling soulmates” during a Q\&A at the Boston Fan Expo, a list that included Randy Orton, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and AJ Styles.
Both legends competed for their respective promotions over the weekend. Copeland’s victory was marred by a post-match assault on his wife, Beth Copeland, at the hands of FTR, while Cena was decisively destroyed by Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza, which aired on ESPN from Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse.