Listen Now! Wrestling superstar Adam Copeland talks Percy Jackson role, AEW, past, future
Adam Copeland is in a good place in his life.
The professional wrestler that for more than two decades was known as Edge is enjoying himself as much as at any point in his career.
He’s taken on a new challenge by joining All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in Oct. 2023 after 25 years with WWE.
And he’s also got a big part in the new Disney Plus series, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.”
On this week’s “The *State* of Florida Sports Podcast,” powered by the USA Today Network, Copeland spends a half hour with me talking about the new show, his new career in AEW, his past and his future.
In the new Percy Jackson series, which currently has released four episodes with four more coming through January, Copeland plays Ares, the god of war.
He talks on the podcast about how the part came to be.
“When the Percy Jackson (script) came through, as I read the audition I was like, ‘oh, I think I know this guy. I think I know which direction to take this,' and apparently I chose right,” he said.
Copeland explains most of the show was filmed nearly two years ago, but with the writers strike that took place during most of 2023, it took until this past December for the show to be released.
Aside from his new role, Copeland discussed how things have been going since joining AEW.
When he showed up with the company on Oct. 1, 2023, it was a well-guarded secret that most of the roster didn’t even know.
He said one of the motivations in joining AEW was the roster.
“For me, that was one of the most compelling reasons to come to AEW. … I hadn’t worked with like 98% of the people in this company.
“That's really exciting, especially at this stage of my career, to have that many stories in front of me.”
Of course, reuniting with an old friend was another motivation.
“And I was like, ‘hey, I'll get to work with Christian again,’ which we both thought would never happen because, you know, between us, we were both retired for 16 years, you know, so that was never going to be an opportunity.”
Copeland and Christian have known each other since they were 10 years old.
Copeland also talks about the nine-year injury retirement that lasted from 2011-2020, and what it was like reurning to the ring.
“There's still nothing that prepares you for 50,000 people reacting to your theme music, and all of that adrenaline and all of those emotions comes directly at you. And then it's your body and mind. And then your soul’s job to to go, ‘OK, compartmentalize this. Let's organize this so that you can focus on what you got to do.'
"It's very hard to explain, but it was very overwhelming and I think it will end up being, you know, a favorite moment of my career just because it wasn't supposed to happen.”
We touch on so much more, including his recent comments about having just a couple of years left in the business. We also discuss his turning 50 while comparing him to others when they reached that milestone. It’s sure to bring a smile to your face.
It’s not often you get to listen to a legend. So be sure to tune in to this podcast.
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Contact Walters at twalters@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Adam Copeland on podcast: Percy Jackson, AEW, his past, future plans
