A much-loved WWE Hall of Famer has opened up on the frustrations they felt before making the decision to part ways with the company.

Adam Copeland, formerly known as Edge, has claimed that WWE kept him ‘handcuffed’ during his most recent run.

The current AEW Tag Team Champion, with long-time best friend Christian Cage, Copeland has shed some light on why he made the switch to WWE’s biggest competitor in 2023. The Canadian appeared on the Ariel Helwani Show, where he made some pointed comments about how his final months in WWE.

Copeland first signed with WWE in 1997, making his main roster debut the following year. Across two separate stints, he worked for the company for more than 25 years.

Edge’s WWE Career Explored

In WWE, as Edge, he became one of the most decorated champions in the history of the company, being a seven-time World Champion and also a fourteen-time Tag Team Champion with a whole host of different partners, from Christian to Hulk Hogan. It was thought his career was finished in 2011 when he was forced to retire due to a devastating neck injury. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the following year.

However, at the Royal Rumble in 2020, he shocked the world and returned for another spell with the company.

For the majority of his time with WWE, former CEO Vince McMahon was in charge of overseeing storylines and creative decisions. That changed in July 2022, when Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque took over as WWE’s Chief Content Officer.

Within barely a year of Triple H being in charge, Copeland had decided to leave the company, allowing his contract to run down so he could join AEW. He wrestled his final match as Edge when he defeated Sheamus on the August 18th 2023 edition of SmackDown in his hometown of Toronto. He would debut in AEW just a few short weeks later.

WWE Hall of Famer Reveals ‘Real Reason’ He Left Company

The 52-year-old explained his dislike of how WWE was run under Triple H, in comparison with periods such as the Attitude Era. Copeland revealed that he was not having fun towards the end of his time with WWE, noting that talent had little way of expressing themselves outside what was laid out by various producers and agents.

Copeland admitted that he enjoys the fact that the product is not as nailed down in AEW. It gives wrestlers the chance to explore and try different things out within the parameters set to them.

With the retirement of veterans over the last year, such as John Cena and AJ Styles, as well as the release of names like Sheamus and The New Day, the WWE locker room has lost a great deal of experience in recent times.

The veteran star reasoned that ‘you need a locker room with different elements’ and people who can be a ‘calming influence’ or ‘a shoulder to turn to’, and made it clear that is one of his main roles of his at this point in his career.

Barcelona fans have been called ‘shameful’ after booing one of their players ahead of their pre-season friendly against Egyptian side Al Ahly.

The two sides clashed at Camp Nou in Barca’s traditional Joan Gamper Cup match ahead of the La Liga campaign. Hansi Flick’s men prevailed with a 2-1 win courtesy of goals from Hamza Abdelkarim (29′) and Raphinha (45′ Pen), while Zico (51′) pulled one back for the visitors.

There was plenty for fans to be excited about, including the unveiling of new signing Rodri, while England’s Anthony Gordon impressed on the left wing. Flick’s Blaugrana head into the new season with a new-look team, but some supporters appear dissatisfied to see one of his players remain in the squad.

Barcelona Fans Boo De Jong Amid ‘Tension’

Via Reuters

While Rodri received a huge ovation from supporters following his £65 million arrival from Manchester City, his new teammate Frenkie de Jong was instead greeted with jeers. The Dutch midfielder has been embroiled in a controversial saga following reports from Spanish journalist Gerardo Romero.

Romero claimed last season that De Jong had refused to play against Atletico Madrid and that he held a difficult relationship with Flick. The former Ajax midfielder has since refuted those claims while speaking to the club’s official channel:

”Gerard Romero reported, and he himself set all of this in motion, that I refused to play against Atlético in the Champions League last year. That is not true. It is simply not correct.”

De Jong also dismissed Romero’s suggestion that he and Flick are on bad terms, insisting ‘none of that is true’ and that their relationship was ‘actually very good’. But there have been questions asked about the Dutchman’s fitness and how he managed a knee injury during the World Cup with the Netherlands.

A report from The Athletic claims that Flick is frustrated that De Jong played through the pain barrier during the international tournament. He is expected to be back fit around November, depending on the recovery progress, meaning he’ll miss the start of Barca’s La Liga title defence.

De Jong reported that he was still in pain after returning from the World Cup in July, and further examination revealed that his injury was more serious than initially thought. This is the latest tension to arise between the player and the club following a failed move to Manchester United back in 2023 when the Blaugrana pushed for him to leave and join the Premier League giants.

Fans Hit Out at De Jong Treatment

De Jong didn’t play in the win over Al Ahly due to his knee injury, but he appeared before fans at Camp Nou as part of a squad announcement. While he smiled and waved to fans, it was clear many are still taking issue with the Dutch midfielder, and his recent interview failed to quash rumors of behind-the-scenes issues.

After a clip of the incident surfaced on X, some fans, including Barca supporters, hit back at the boo boys. One fan wrote:

Another supporter added:

Another called the boos:

While one wrote:

Another replied:

De Jong has been with Barca since January 2019 when he arrived from Ajax in a €75 million (£64.3m) deal, and he’s since made over 295 appearances, winning the La Liga title three times. He has endured recurring injury issues and a hot-and-cold relationship with fans during his seven years at Camp Nou.

Newcastle United have emerged as a potential destination for versatile AC Milan forward Christopher Nkunku this summer, with the Magpies said to be one of the clubs ‘ahead’ in the race for his signature.

The Magpies kick off their upcoming Premier League campaign with the visit of Liverpool to St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon.

That, of course, means the return of a certain Alexander Isak. The Magpies will hope that the Sweden international does not come back to haunt them, the way his exit still does.

Newcastle United spent heavily on recruiting Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa to replace Isak last summer, but those investments have not yet proved fruitful. The Magpies lack a 20-goal-a-season talisman and perhaps a new arrival could provide that.

Newcastle Are ‘Serious Option’ for Christopher Nkunku

Foot Mercato report the latest on the future of Nkunku. The Frenchman only arrived at AC Milan from Chelsea last summer, the Italian giants paying £35 million for the forward.

The 28-year-old has managed seven Serie A goals and three assists but never cemented a place in the starting XI. Nkunku had been expected to be handed a prominent role under Ruben Amorim but a difficult pre-season has left the player once again facing being moved on.

It’s claimed that Newcastle United are a very ‘serious option’ for Nkunku, while Borussia Dortmund and former club RB Leipzig are also touted as potential suitors.

Jaissle expressed his concern about his side’s strength in depth following the friendly defeat to Everton last week. He said: “We handle these things internally, we are aware of what we need and there is still some time.

The report of interest aligns with Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie. In a transfer update on YouTube on Tuesday, the reporter said: “Nkunku has been offered to Newcastle who haven’t made a decision yet. He’s also been offered to a couple of other clubs. I think Jaissle would be interested in him if there was an opportunity.”

Nkunku is a player who could tempt Magpies head coach Matthias Jaissle. The incoming Newcastle United boss favours a 4-2-3-1 formation and the ex Chelsea man thrives in the number 10 role – the forward plundered 16 goals and six assists over the 2022/23 Bundesliga season in that role. Could he be the long-awaited answer to the departure of Isak?

What does Matthias Jaissle want from a number 10?

• Jaissle wants a number 10 who not only operates between the midfield and striker, but capable of making runs behind the defence.
• Creativity and ability to find a final pass to set up a goal.
• A dynamism and flexibility to shift across the pitch, rather than remaining fixed in formation.
• Aggression without the ball and capable of closing down quickly.

The outlet claims that Nkunku is very keen to leave AC Milan and is longing for a head coach who believes in the impact he can have on a team. The striker is not likely to make the move to Saudi Arabia or Turkey and still harbours Champions League ambitions.

AC Milan would look to recoup at least £30 million of the money paid to Chelsea for Nkunku just one year ago. Recruiting a player to specialise in that number 10 role is a priority for the Magpies.