Adam Copeland reflects on brief run with The Judgment Day, feels his heel turn was 'very abrupt'

The 11-time world champion turned heel after AJ Styles accepted his challenge for WrestleMania 38 and formed Judgment Day with Damian Priest. After some time, he felt that the heel turn was working, but due to some of the top babyfaces like Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton getting injured, he was forced to turn face again. On an episode of Raw after the Hell in a Cell 2022 PLE, Finn Balor, along with Rhea Ripley and Priest, kicked him out of the faction, turning him face again.

I knew it was going to be a bit of a struggle, and it was, but it was also a challenge. I was like, at this stage, can I be a heel, with the fanbase knowing the real story, being retired for nine years, working to get it back, can you erase that from people’s minds for this time frame. Adam Copeland via Chris Van Vliet podcast

After months of feuding with the notorious faction, he celebrated his 25th anniversary in WWE on the August 18 episode of SmackDown. He wrestled in his last match against Sheamus and finished his illustrious WWE tenure with a victory. The 50-year-old legend debuted in AEW on October 1 at the WrestleDream pay-per-view and still continues to put on captivating weekly matches.

Adam Copeland’s idea to bring in Gangrel at WrestleMania 39 was shut down by WWE

Copeland faced Demon Finn Balor in a Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania 39. Although fans absolutely adored his brood-inspired entrance, it could have been different if only WWE had accepted his request.

While speaking in the same interview, the veteran said he asked to include Gangrel in the entrance as well. However, because every decision-maker behind the scenes denied his idea, fans didn’t get to see his cameo in his entrance at the Show of Shows.

Man, I tried. I tried, and I just got shut down. Every person shut it down. So, and this isn’t a knock on WWE, but I’d always get the, ‘Well nobody remembers.’ I’m like, people remember. Wrestling fans remember. And I think wrestling fans want to be rewarded for remembering, and that’s a way to reward them.  Adam Copeland via Chris Van Vliet podcast

One of the main reasons for not bringing Gangrel during the 11-time world champion’s entrance was that they didn’t think fans would remember him. Copeland has always integrated iconic elements from the past into current things. Although he was upset that nobody considered his suggestion, he did the best with what he had.