Adam Copeland explains origins of AEW’s ‘The Cope Open’

  • Ian Carey
  • By 

Adam Copeland discussed the origins of “The Cope Open” during an interview with Sports Illustrated. 

Copeland has held an open challenge on AEW programming in recent weeks, taking part in matches with Dante Martin, Griff Garrison, and Lee Moriarty. Tonight on Dynamite, however, he wrestles someone with a bit more experience in Minoru Suzuki. 

“While the story with Christian plays out, I thought, let’s do this fascinating side story where no one knows what comes next,” said Copeland. “The more I thought about it, we can use it as a vehicle for some young guys to get some different experience. And then I kept thinking about it, and it hit me: ‘This means it could be anyone.’ I’ve been tossing out all kinds of names and seeing who bites.”

Later in the interview, Copeland revealed that he asked Tony Khan if wrestling Suzuki in AEW was possible. 

“I thought Suzuki and I would be really cool,” Copeland said. “It’s something you wouldn’t even think of until you think of it, right? It’s going to be hard-hitting. And the word that keeps coming to mind is grizzled. But I never thought this match would ever happen.”

“So I asked Tony, ‘Can we get Suzuki?’ He said he’d find out. As soon as he found out, literally as soon as he got off the phone, he advertised it on air.”

“I’m sitting in the locker room getting changed, and Moxley says to me, ‘Hey man, it’s you and Suzuki next week,’” he continued. “So you can only imagine my excitement. Immediately, I’m thinking, ‘I need to cut a promo about it.’”

AEW posted Copeland’s promo to X on Monday:

Khan revealed yesterday that, similar to last week’s main event of Samoa Joe vs. Hook, Copeland vs. Suzuki will air commercial-free on tonight’s broadcast. 

AEW Dynamite tonight takes place at the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia. According to WrestleTix, 2187 tickets have been distributed to the show as of this afternoon. 

AEW Dynamite lineup for Wednesday, January 24, 2024:

  • AEW Trios Champions The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn defend against Brian Cage & The Gates of Agony
  • Hangman Page vs. Penta El Zero Miedo
  • Adam Copeland vs. Minoru Suzuki
  • Wardlow vs. Trent Beretta
  • Swerve Strickland vs. Jeff Hardy
  • Thunder Rosa vs. Red Velvet
  • ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm & Deonna Purrazzo face-to-face
  • Sting & Darby Allin will speak