AEW Dynamite airs live tonight at 8 ET on TBS and HBO Max, from the Watsco Center on the campus of the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.
Adam Copeland has announced that 2027 will be his final year as an in-ring competitor. The AEW star revealed his retirement plans during Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite after defeating Josh Alexander to qualify for the Clockwork Carnage match at AEW WrestleDream.
Copeland’s announcement came as he reflected on the serious injuries suffered by his longtime friend and tag team partner, Christian Cage, during their recent match at All Out.
During his promo, Copeland revealed that Cage suffered a collapsed lung and multiple broken ribs during the three-way ladder match for the AEW World Tag Team Championships at All Out.
According to Copeland, Cage sustained the injuries just five minutes into the match after being thrown into a ladder. Despite the severity of his condition, Cage continued competing, with Copeland crediting his partner’s work ethic and desire to perform for the fans.
Seeing his best friend push through such a serious situation prompted Copeland to take a step back and reflect on his own future in wrestling.
Copeland explained that the experience led him to do some soul-searching and reconsider how much time he has left in the ring. He confirmed that 2027 will be his final year as an active wrestler and revealed that winning the AEW World Championship is one of his remaining goals.
The soon-to-be 53-year-old acknowledged that he understands his place in the industry is changing as he gets older. Copeland admitted that he is no longer the wrestler whose posters adorn teenagers’ bedroom walls, but said he has come to terms with aging out of the business.
Despite his impending retirement, Copeland made it clear that he still has ambitions to pursue before stepping away from competition, with the AEW World Championship standing out as a major target.
Copeland’s emotional announcement was interrupted by Don Callis, who mocked the veteran’s speech as a “pity party” before turning his attention to the upcoming Dynamite main event and the Don Callis Family.
Callis questioned whether Copeland would even make it to 2027, adding that he might not survive long enough to compete at Saturday’s AEW WrestleDream.
The threat quickly turned physical when members of the Don Callis Family, including Kevin Knight and Lance Archer, attacked Copeland from behind.
Copeland had just returned to singles action for the first time since the All Out ladder match, defeating Josh Alexander to earn his place in the Clockwork Carnage match. However, the post-match confrontation left him with another challenge ahead of WrestleDream.
With his retirement now on the horizon, Copeland appears determined to make the most of his remaining time in the ring while pursuing the AEW World Championship.
AEW Dynamite and Collision 3-hour special live tonight at 8 ET on TBS and HBO Max from the Wolstein Center at CSU in Cleveland, Ohio. Go-home show for Saturday’s WrestleDream pay-per-view.
AEW Dynamite Grand Slam France special tonight at 8/c on TBS and HBO Max from the Adidas Arena in Paris, France..
One of the most memorable and emotional moments in AEW history took place on this week’s special edition of AEW Dynamite: A Tribute to PAC, as Bryan Danielson made a surprise return to honor the late Benjamin Satterley, known to wrestling fans around the world as PAC.
The night opened with Jon Moxley successfully defending the AEW Continental Championship against Orange Cassidy. Following the match, the arena paused for a ten-bell salute in remembrance of PAC, creating an emotional atmosphere throughout the building.
As fans reflected on the tribute, the mood shifted even further when Danielson’s music hit and the former AEW World Champion made his way to the ring. Clearly overcome with emotion, Danielson walked to the ring in tears before sharing a heartfelt embrace with Moxley at center ring.
The moment marked a significant reunion between the two longtime allies and served as a powerful show of respect for PAC’s legacy and impact on the wrestling industry.
Danielson’s appearance was particularly noteworthy because it represented a temporary return from retirement. After stepping away from full-time competition following WrestleDream 2024, “The American Dragon” had not competed on AEW television in nearly two years.
In the main event, 8-Man Tag Match: Death Riders vs. Don Callis Family. Wardlow makes his return to action alongside Mark Davis, Lance Archer, Josh Alexander and Jake Doyle. The Death Riders represented by Daniel Garcia, Gabe Kidd, Wheeler Yuta and Claudio Castagnoli. The group gathers around the chair set up in honor of PAC before making its way through the crowd and toward the ring. Jon Moxley joins the commentary team as the Death Riders initially enter the match with only four competitors.
The Death Riders’ entrance music hits again, revealing Bryan Danielson as the fifth member of the team for the main event.
The Death Riders won the match.
Following the match, the Death Riders come together and embrace in the ring as the broadcast reflects on the life and career of Benjamin Satterley, known to wrestling fans as PAC.
A video package celebrating PAC’s life and career airs before the broadcast returns for one final shot of the chair and towel set up in his honor.
For many viewers, Danielson’s return and his emotional interaction with Moxley became one of the defining moments of the tribute show, highlighting the respect and admiration that PAC earned from his peers throughout his career.
While Danielson’s long-term in-ring future remains unclear, his return on this special night provided a fitting tribute to one of AEW’s most respected performers.
AEW Dynamite: A Tribute To PAC live tonight at 8 ET on TBS and HBO Max from the Peterson Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
AEW Dynamite & Collision 3-Hour Special live tonight at 8/7c on TBS and HBO from the Fishers Events Center in Fishers, Indiana. This special is the go-home for this Saturday’s All Out pay-per-view.
AEW Dynamite live tonight at 8:00 pm ET on TBS and HBO Max from the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.
AEW Rebel Heart Dynamite airs live tonight at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT on TBS and HBO Max from the Akins Ford Arena in Athens, Georgia.
Tonight’s Dynamite is a special episode to support Rebel who battling ALS, help raise money towards finding a cure and raise more awareness about the disease.
AEW Dynamite live tonight on at 8/7c on TBS and HBO Max from the Credit Union of Texas Events Center in Allen, Texas
