Adam Copeland opens up about his injury and provides an update.
At AEW Double or Nothing, Adam Copeland suffered a fractured Tibia during his Barbed Wire Steel Cage match against Malakai Black. The injury came when Copeland jumped off the top of his leg. Copeland finished the match but was forced to relinquish the TNT Championship because he had to get surgery.
Speaking with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Adam Copeland reflected on the injury.
“I got cocky. I can’t remember the last time I felt that good. I mean, I felt so good. Until I didn’t. My biggest concern when I got up there was, ‘How do I not crush him?' I didn’t even consider getting injured. My take was if I jumped to the side, landed on my feet, and hit him with my arm but not my body, then the table would break just because of the sheer height. It happened exactly how I planned it," Copeland said.
Copeland noted that the dive was something he could have pulled off when he was 35, but his 50-year-old body offered him a stark reminder of reality. He reiterated his past comments about how he knew that it had not hurt his Achilles upon impact.
“When I landed, I knew it wasn’t the Achilles. So I thought, that’s good. I thought maybe I sprained it or it was a bone bruise. I got up and I ran, and I finished the match. I just didn’t realize I was doing it all on a broken leg," Copeland said.
Barrasso writes that Copeland's rehabilitation could take four-to-six months. Looking ahead, Copeland has a new mindset, as he realizes that he has to be smarter with the risks that he takes. The former champion made it clear that he was happy with the match, and he was proud of the story they told.
Copeland also provided an update on his recovery. After noting that his injury is non-weight bearing for the next eight-to-ten weeks, Copeland shared that his doctor is optimistic due to the health of his bones.
“My Achilles tear a few years ago led to my most difficult rehab, and I’m expecting more of that. I’m 50. I know what’s in front of me. But the surgery was successful, and the doctor was optimistic because my bones are healthy. It’s my seventh surgery, so I know the drill. We’ll see how my body cooperates," Copeland said.
Fightful wishes Copeland well in his recovery, and we will provide more information as it becomes available.
Copeland previously discussed his injury and provided an update. Check out his comments here.
