Adam Copeland competed in a match outside of WWE and AEW for the first time since 2001 when he headlined MLP Northern Rising at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto against Steve Maclin.
Speaking after the event, Copeland said he made the move away from WWE in part for nights like this one, according to Fightful. He had long spoken about wanting to perform at Maple Leaf Gardens, which he has identified as the venue where he saw his first wrestling event.
The appearance marked a notable departure for Copeland, who had exclusively wrestled for WWE or AEW for roughly two and a half decades before stepping into the ring for MLP. Facing Steve Maclin in the main event gave Copeland the chance to close out the show at a building he has described as personally significant to his journey into the wrestling business.
Fightful’s report did not specify additional details of the match itself or further comments from Copeland beyond his remarks on the significance of the venue and his reasoning for taking the booking.
