Adam Copeland Explains Importance of Competing at MLP Northern Rising, Tony Khan Wanting Wrestling to Flourish

As previously reported, AEW star and World Tag Team Champion Adam Copeland is set for action at Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s Northern Rising on October 3 in Toronto. MLP released a new video with Copeland that was shown at MLPW Mayhem, where Copeland talks about the importance of him getting to compete at this event, as he grew up watching MLP.

Copeland said that AEW and boss Tony Khan allowed him to compete on this show because they want pro wrestling to flourish. He stated, “In terms of doing this show, I’m contracted with AEW, but the beautiful part about Tony Khan and his outlook in terms of pro wrestling is that he wants pro wrestling to flourish.”

Copeland continued, “AEW and Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling are partners. It’s a partnership that can help wrestling thrive in a place that needs to have wrestling thrive. He also knew what it means to me and how special this place is to me. And I don’t think I was going to be able to retire without a bit of a bee in my bonnet unless I did this. I think this allows me to go, ‘Right.'”

Copeland added, “The seeds for all of this coming to fruition started with Scott D’Amore seeing an interview that I did where I said, you know, my place, my hallowed ground that I have to perform in before I’m done is Maple Leaf Gardens.”

MLP Northern Rising, featuring Adam Copeland in action, is being held at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on the grounds of the former Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. You can check out that clip of Copeland from MLP Mayhem below:

When @RatedRCope steps into Maple Leaf Gardens, it will continue to help wrestling thrive in a place where wrestling needs to thrive.#MLPMayhem pic.twitter.com/afMNd0lt4t

— MAPLE LEAF PRO Wrestling (@MapleLeafPW) August 13, 2026