Adam Copeland Never Thought He Would Face Minoru Suzuki, Asked Tony Khan If They Could Get Him

Adam Copeland is having fun with the Cope Open.

Adam Copeland is having fun with the Cope Open.

Speaking with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Adam Copeland discussed the origin of the Cope Open, a weekly open challenge that has already seen him face Griff Garrison and Lee Moriarty.

“While the story with Christian plays out, I thought, let’s do this fascinating side story where no one knows what comes next. The more I thought about it, we can use it as a vehicle for some young guys to get some different experience. Then I kept thinking about it, and it hit me: ‘This means it could be anyone.’ I’ve been tossing out all kinds of names and seeing who bites,” Copeland said.

Copeland then highlighted his upcoming match against Minoru Suzuki and described how he thought it would be a cool match-up. He pointed out that it was a bout one would not even think about until it happened.  Copeland stated that he never thought the match would happen, but he asked Tony Khan about it.

“I thought Suzuki and I would be really cool. It’s something you wouldn’t even think of until you think of it, right? It’s going to be hard-hitting. The word that keeps coming to mind is grizzled. But I never thought this match would ever happen. So I asked Tony, ‘Can we get Suzuki?’ He said he’d find out. As soon as he found out, literally as soon as he got off the phone, he advertised it on air,” Copeland said.

Copeland then recalled how he did not realize the match was made official, and Jon Moxley was the one who shared the news. He emphasized that he was immediately excited about it, and he wanted to cut a promo about the bout.

“I’m sitting in the locker room getting changed, and Moxley says to me, ‘Hey man, it’s you and Suzuki next week.’ So you can only imagine my excitement. Immediately, I’m thinking, ‘I need to cut a promo about it,'” Copeland said.

When asked whether Suzuki reminded him of anyone he has faced in the past, Copeland pointed to Bradshaw and stated that he had a similar vibe. However, he stated that he could not think of anyone who was like Suzuki.

“I was thinking about that, and it’s tough. Bradshaw, when he was with the Acolytes, had a similarish vibe, but it was still different. I can’t think of anybody who is like him,” Copeland said.

Copeland then emphasized that the Cope Open is fun, and the audience has no idea who he will face next. He called it a fun experiment and noted that the wrestling fan in him likes the way it opens up many possibilities. 

Click here to see what Copeland had to say about his match against Suzuki.

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