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.

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.

It’s been an impressive summer for Arsenal. Without really lifting a finger, the Gunners look to have assembled an impressive squad for the 2026/27 campaign.

The North London outfit spent £35 million on Club Brugge star Christos Tzolis and it didn’t take too much pushing for Newcastle United to open the door for star man Bruno Guimaraes to make the switch to the capital.

Ezri Konsa looks to be on his way from Aston Villa to provide some welcome back-up in defence and last weekend’s 3-0 romp over Manchester City points to a side in fine fettle. However, there is one man who could be the cherry on the cake for Arsenal.

Aston Villa star is boyhood Arsenal fan

It’s not a new name to be linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium either. Ollie Watkins has been floated as a potential option for years, largely due to his boyhood love of the club, with the club making a bid for his services in January 2025.

All the way back in 2020, when first making an impression at Aston Villa following his £28 million move from Brentford, Watkins admitted: “That’s the dream to play for Arsenal one day, but you know, it’s a longshot.”

That season, Watkins bagged a brace for the Villans at the Emirates Stadium and admitted that his grandfather and uncle wouldn’t be ‘too happy’ about his performance. He added: “They are Arsenal fans and I am an Arsenal fan myself – but I’m buzzing. I am sure they will love it really. I am over the moon.”

Those words are of significance this week, with Watkins linked with an exit from Villa Park. There is fierce competition to lead the line under Unai Emery, with Tammy Abraham and Brian Madjo also options.

The England international was rumoured to be keen on a new venture last summer, but stuck around in the Midlands and ended up with a Europa League winners medal. This summer, it could be a different story.

Arsenal must consider Ollie Watkins hijack

Saudi bankrollers Al Hilal are reported to have seen a £38.5 million bid for Watkins rejected from Aston Villa this week. However, with the player reportedly keen on a move to the Middle East, more offers are expected.

It’s food for thought for Arsenal. The Gunners have been linked with forwards Vinicius Jr and Morgan Rogers this window, but have not landed those targets. Arteta seems to be in the market for an extra attacking reinforcement.

For a fee of around £40 million, Watkins would be a steal. The talisman is proven in the Premier League and offers something different to Arsenal. Where Viktor Gyokeres is a bullish poacher and Kai Havertz a wily midfielder-turned-striker, Watkins is pacey and direct.

It’s clear that the Aston Villa man would not say no to Arsenal and the club should be heavily considering a Saudi transfer hijack.