After a four-year hiatus, Matt Cardona made a triumphant return to AEW on “AEW Collision,” where he accepted Adam Copeland’s “Cope Open” challenge for the AEW TNT Championship.
Despite falling short in his single appearance, the match garnered acclaim from wrestling enthusiasts and analysts alike. For Cardona, it was not just about the outcome but also the opportunity to face someone pivotal in his career.
On Sunday morning, Cardona utilized X to delve deeper into his reflections on the match and its significance.
He shared how Copeland had been a favorite wrestler since his high school days. Cardona acknowledged Copeland’s role in salvaging his WWE career, recounting how their collaboration as the “Edgeheads” within the La Familia stable revived their prospects when they were teetering on the brink of dismissal.
Despite their separation after the group disbanded, Cardona held onto the hope of facing Copeland in the ring. However, he believed this dream was dashed after Copeland’s retirement in 2011 and his own departure from WWE in 2020, shortly after Copeland’s return from retirement.
Copeland’s move to AEW in October 2023 presented a new opportunity for Cardona to realize his dream, culminating in his response to the open challenge on Saturday night.
Reflecting on the momentous occasion, Cardona expressed gratitude to Copeland and AEW owner Tony Khan for making the match possible.
With little time to rest, Cardona is slated to appear at several independent shows during WrestleMania weekend.
Among these, his most notable match will be at Joey Janela’s Spring Break on Friday, where he will face off against Blue Kane, with support from allies Steph De Lander and Jimmy Lloyd.
