Adam Copeland (formerly WWE’s Edge) and Christian Cage are set to team up for the first time in years at the upcoming AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view, facing Kip Sabian and Nick Wayne in a highly anticipated tag team match. However, new backstage reports reveal that AEW’s initial plans for the duo were much bigger, involving a championship run that has now been quietly shelved.
According to wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer on the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Copeland and Cage were originally slated to win their match at Forbidden Door as part of a storyline that would have led them to a major tag team championship opportunity. “I can tell you for sure the original plan was for them to get a win to build to a championship match; that may not happen,” Meltzer stated, noting that these creative plans have since changed due to undisclosed reasons[1][2].
The shift in AEW’s booking comes amidst the palpable excitement of their reunion. The two veterans, who previously made waves in the wrestling world as a tag team nearly 15 years ago, notably saved each other in recent episodes of AEW Dynamite, overcoming animosity and aligning against factions like Patriarchy and FTR. This rekindled partnership led to the announcement of their tag match against Cage’s former stablemates Sabian and Wayne at Forbidden Door[1][3][4].
Sources close to AEW revealed that while the tag match remains a featured bout on the Forbidden Door 2025 card, the promotion has pivoted away from pushing Copeland and Cage toward immediate championship gold. Wrestling insiders speculate that this could be due to a variety of backstage factors including long-term storyline adjustments, prioritization of other talent pushes, or concerns over timing and audience reception. An AEW insider told Fightful, “The company is very high on both Adam and Christian, but AEW’s creative team has been fluid with plans, trying to find the best fit for their talents in a crowded tag team division” (h/t Wrestling Observer)[2][3].
Forbidden Door 2025 is shaping up to be one of AEW’s most star-studded events, featuring marquee matches such as “Hangman” Adam Page versus MJF for the AEW World Championship and the anticipated 10-man Lights Out Steel Cage match. In this environment, AEW appears to be strategically pacing its storytelling, allowing stars like Copeland and Cage to build momentum before any major title pursuits[2].
From a historical perspective, Copeland and Cage’s reunion is significant, as the duo last teamed extensively over a decade ago during their time in WWE and on the independent circuit. Their pairing at Forbidden Door marks the first time since WWE’s Invasion pay-per-view in 2001 that they will appear together on a major PPV, a nostalgic moment for wrestling fans worldwide[5].
Despite the scrapped championship plans, the match against Nick Wayne and Kip Sabian represents a major opportunity for both the veterans and their opponents. Nick Wayne, ROH World TV Champion, and Kip Sabian have gained momentum in AEW’s tag team ranks, and facing industry legends like Copeland and Cage on such a high-profile platform can significantly raise their profiles[1][2].
The chemistry between Copeland and Cage has been evident on recent AEW programming, suggesting potential for a long-term alliance or further tag team storylines in the near future. Whether AEW chooses to revisit a championship push for “Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland and Christian Cage remains to be seen, but for now, fans can look forward to their renewed partnership delivering thrilling action at Forbidden Door 2025.
As details continue to emerge ahead of the event, wrestling observers will be watching creative developments closely, especially if AEW decides to pivot its storytelling once again with these two fan-favorites.
Sources: Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Wrestling Inc), PWMania, Sportskeeda, eWrestlingNews, Fightful