Kyle Fletcher has made clear that he wants another match with Adam Copeland before the veteran brings his professional wrestling career to a close.
Copeland recently announced that his retirement is approaching and set one major remaining objective for himself: winning the AEW World Championship before he walks away. The declaration has immediately created a number of potential high-profile paths for the former world champion, particularly as AEW’s title picture continues to evolve.
Fletcher could soon be central to that same championship conversation. He is scheduled to challenge for the AEW World Championship at AEW Full Gear, meaning a victory would place him directly in Copeland’s path should Copeland continue his pursuit of the promotion’s top prize.
Beyond the possibility of a title match, Fletcher has personal motivation for wanting to share the ring with Copeland again. The two have already met, and Fletcher noted that he has pinned Copeland. However, the younger AEW star does not view that result as the final word on their rivalry. Instead, he sees another meeting as an opportunity to make an even stronger statement against one of the performers who helped shape his interest in wrestling.
For more background on this topic, read Kyle Fletcher Reflects On ‘Shattering’ Hangman Page Loss Ahead Of AEW Full Gear Title Shot.
Fletcher reflects on Copeland’s legacy
In a recent interview, Fletcher described Copeland as a defining figure from his childhood and acknowledged the complicated emotions that come with seeing an all-time great prepare for retirement.
“My thoughts are, I think he is an absolute legend in the sport, and I think that he, dude, he was a part of my childhood. He was a part of so many people’s childhoods and one of the best things and the best feelings in wrestling is that nostalgia and remembering, how it made you feel when you’re a kid, and I think he was probably one of the first wrestlers that I watched, you know?”
Fletcher’s comments underline the unusual position that many current wrestlers find themselves in when working with icons from earlier generations. Copeland is not merely a respected contemporary in AEW. For talents of Fletcher’s age, he is also someone whose work was part of the foundation of their fandom before they ever entered a ring themselves.
That history gives a potential rematch added weight. Fletcher is approaching it from two perspectives at once: as a fan who recognizes Copeland’s place in wrestling history, and as a competitor determined to establish himself as one of the defining names of the current generation.
Fletcher also recalled the emotional impact of Copeland’s original retirement, which took place in 2010, as well as his eventual return to active competition. For Fletcher, the prospect of seeing Copeland step away again is significant because he experienced both of those earlier career moments as a viewer.
“So for me, it’s a lot of mixed emotions. I’m obviously very sad. I watched him retire in whatever it was, I believe 2010, and I thought that was going to be the end of it. I was watching live when he made his return and yeah, that was very emotional too. So I’m sure watching him retire will be very emotional as well.”
Copeland’s first retirement was widely treated as the conclusion of a storied career. His return gave him the chance to write a different final chapter, including a run in AEW against opponents from a newer generation. That has created opportunities for wrestlers such as Fletcher to test themselves against a performer with Copeland’s experience, reputation, and connection to fans across multiple eras.
A respectful challenge with a competitive edge
While Fletcher’s praise for Copeland was clear, he did not hide his desire to defeat him again. He said that getting in the ring with Copeland one more time before retirement is something he “very much” wants, especially after already scoring a pinfall over the veteran.
“But I will say that now I have been able to get in the ring with him. I’ve pinned him, and I.. I would not… I would very much like to… get in there with him again before he retires because I would like to show the world that I am far superior to him.”
The remark captures the balance Fletcher is attempting to strike. There is genuine admiration in his assessment of Copeland’s career, but Fletcher is not interested in simply being part of a farewell tour. He wants a rematch that can reinforce his own standing and allow him to claim that he surpassed a wrestler he once watched as a child.
That is a familiar dynamic in professional wrestling, but it is especially meaningful when retirement is involved. Veteran stars approaching the end of their careers often become measuring sticks for rising names. A match with Copeland would carry immediate attention because of his legacy, while a win for Fletcher would offer a powerful addition to the younger wrestler’s own body of work.
Fletcher’s Full Gear championship opportunity could make the situation even more compelling. If he captures the AEW World Championship, Copeland’s stated goal and Fletcher’s challenge would naturally intersect. Copeland wants to leave AEW with its top championship, while Fletcher wants another chance to demonstrate that he is superior to the man he calls a legend.
At this stage, no rematch between Fletcher and Copeland has been announced. Likewise, there is no indication of when Copeland’s final match will take place or whether Fletcher will ultimately be part of his closing in-ring run. Still, Fletcher’s comments establish that he is eager for the opportunity and sees clear value in revisiting their previous encounter.
The AEW World Title remains central to both men
Copeland’s pursuit of the AEW World Championship is the key factor surrounding his remaining time as an active wrestler. He has openly made the title his target before retirement, giving every major development at the top of AEW a potential connection to his farewell plans.
For Fletcher, the Full Gear match represents a major chance to alter his own career trajectory. Challenging for the AEW World Championship puts him in position to claim the promotion’s most important prize. It also means that, if he is successful, he could become the exact obstacle Copeland needs to overcome in order to fulfill his final stated ambition.
That possibility would provide a simple but effective story: a wrestling legend attempting to secure one last major accomplishment against a younger competitor who respects him, has already beaten him, and believes he can prove decisively that the era has changed. Fletcher’s comments suggest he would welcome that scenario rather than shy away from the pressure that comes with it.
There is also a broader significance to Fletcher’s approach. He did not frame Copeland’s retirement solely as a sentimental occasion. He acknowledged the sadness and nostalgia attached to it, but he also emphasized competition. For Fletcher, honoring Copeland’s legacy does not mean treating him differently once the bell rings. It means facing him again and trying to establish superiority in a match that matters.
That mindset is consistent with the stakes surrounding the AEW World Championship. Copeland is chasing a final career-defining accolade, while Fletcher is seeking to add one of the biggest possible victories to his own rise. Their goals may not yet be formally connected on the schedule, but they could become linked quickly depending on what happens at Full Gear.
One last opportunity remains on Fletcher’s wish list
Fletcher’s words leave no doubt about where he stands. He considers Copeland an absolute legend, remembers him as a major part of his childhood, and expects Copeland’s eventual retirement to be emotional. At the same time, he wants another match before that day arrives.
Whether the rematch takes place for the AEW World Championship or without a title at stake, Fletcher believes there is unfinished business. He has already pinned Copeland, but he wants another opportunity to show the world that he is “far superior” to one of the sport’s most recognizable veterans.
For Copeland, every remaining match now carries the awareness that his active career is nearing its end. For Fletcher, a second meeting would be a chance to face a childhood influence while pushing forward as a present-day contender. With Fletcher headed into Full Gear and Copeland focused on the AEW World Championship, the conditions are in place for their paths to cross again before the final bell rings on Copeland’s career.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.