Adam Copeland originally did not want to be part of a match in WWE that would be the catalyst to him becoming a main event star.
The Rated R Superstar won the World Championship 11 times while in WWE, the first of which came back in 2006 when he defeated John Cena via Money in the Bank cash-in. Since then, the match has become an annual staple over the next 20 years and is now one of the most anticipated Premium Live Events on the calendar.
Winning the first Money in the Bank match back in 2005, Copeland set the precedent for the surprise cash-in and that those in the mid-card could be elevated to the main event scene overnight. However, according to the AEW star, things could have been a lot different.
“I Didn’t Realise Money In The Bank Would Be The Springboard To The Main Event”: Adam Copeland
Speaking with Kenny McIntosh for Issue 56 of Inside The Ropes Magazine, Copeland stated that he wanted to move past being known as the ladder match wrestler and make his way to the main event:
“I said, “I don’t want to be in it.” That the ladder thing felt like a crutch, and it definitely for me, like, you don’t have anything for me, so just chuck me in a ladder match. I feel like Christian was put in that. I feel like after the Money in the Bank, Shelton got put into that role, and it’s not a bad role. But at a certain point, you go, okay, I gotta move past this. I got to get past these to get to where I want to get to, which is the main event.”
Continuing, Copeland admitted that ironically, the Money in the Bank ladder match was his path to the main event scene:
“I didn’t realise that Money in the Bank would be the springboard to that. So I had to be talked into it. I’m glad I was [laughs]. And truth be told I just got sick of bumping off of ladders too, because it hurts. [laughs] There’s no good way to do it.”
Issue 56 of Inside The Ropes Magazine is available now and can be purchased here.
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