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Adam Copeland on Disney+ ‘Percy Jackson’ Series–And What Makes Christian The Best Villain in Wrestling

“I mean, the man wears a cut-off turtleneck. There’s nothing cool about what he’s doing.”

Justin Barrasso

Adam Copeland on Disney+ ‘Percy Jackson’ Series–And What Makes Christian The Best Villain in Wrestling
Adam Copeland on Disney+ ‘Percy Jackson’ Series–And What Makes Christian The Best Villain in Wrestling /

SI.com’s Week in Wrestling is published every week and provides beneath the surface coverage of the business of pro wrestling.

Adam Copeland on Christian: “He’s a Bond villain”

A lost art in pro wrestling is the loathed heel.

Ever since Kevin Nash and Scott Hall donned the black-and-white of the NWO, there have been endless bad guys who have openly presented themselves as cooler than the good guys. That helped lead to the current era, where it is extraordinarily difficult to be a beloved babyface.

There are, of course, exceptions to the rule. No one plays the role of despicable heel better than Christian.

The longtime WWE star is thriving in AEW as the industry’s most effective villain. Mocking deceased relatives, cheating to win, and manipulating those around him are tenets to his blueprint, a role he is playing masterfully.

Courtesy AEW
Courtesy AEW

Adam Copeland, who has been Christian’s best friend since middle school–and is now his heated rival in AEW, is in awe of what Christian is accomplishing as a heel.

“He does this so well because he wants to be one,” said Copeland. “Somewhere along the way, that’s got lost. Heels became cooler than the babyface. That’s not how it should be. That’s not how he sees it, either. I mean, the man wears a cut-off turtleneck. There’s nothing cool about what he’s doing.

“He’s fully committed to it. He’s a Bond villain and loving it. It’s fun to be involved with.”

While chasing Christian and his TNT title, Copeland has opened a whole new world of possibilities in his ongoing “Cope Open” series. He defeated Minoru Suzuki last week on Dynamite, and he is eager to share the spotlight with an array of fellow legends and rising stars.

“The goal is to bring everyone up,” said Copeland. “I always enjoy seeing new characters and seeing lightbulbs go off. That’s what I’ve loved about coming in so far. What I’m doing, it’s involved so many different people. Now there can be even more with the ‘Cope Open’.”

After celebrating 25 years with WWE last summer, it appeared Copeland would be a company lifer. Yet instead of accepting WWE’s offer once he hit free agency, he pursued new terrain in AEW, where he is able to be a much greater presence on television and within the company’s top storylines.

The Story Behind How Adam Copeland Became All Elite

“Any time there is more than one place to ply your trade, that’s good for everyone who is part of that trade,” said Copeland. “A monopoly is never a good idea. That goes for me as a consumer, too.

“As a consumer, I want more choices. That doesn’t mean you have to choose one over the other. You can choose them all. I remember growing up and dying to be able to get my hands on NWA tapes. It didn’t air where I lived, where there was WWF. I found International Wrestling from Montreal. I found All Star Wrestling from Vancouver. I found all these other shows, and I loved that. I’d get little snippets of guys I’d only seen in magazines. Then the show Pro Wrestling Plus with Ed Whalen, who was the announcer for Stampede, started, and I finally got to see wrestlers from the NWA and Continental. I just thought, give it all to me.

“That’s why AEW is great. It’s so cool to see different wrestling. This is really special, and I’m having a blast being here.”

Courtesy AEW
Courtesy AEW

Wrestling is not the only piece of business on Copeland’s itinerary. He is also playing a starring role in Percy Jackson and The Olympians on Disney+, which aired its season finale last night.

Copeland plays Ares, the God of War, a critical role on the show.

“It’s destination viewing for our family every Tuesday night,” said Copeland. “We love watching together. It’s easy to have a smile on your face when you watch.”

Copeland’s work as Ares is outstanding. Despite playing a complex, nuanced character, Copeland embeds layers to the flawed god with pettiness and insecurities, as well as through the bickering with his sister Athena and a complicated relationship with his daughter Clarisse.

Those familiar with Copeland’s work over the past quarter-century will be pleased to know he included plenty of his trademark humor in the role.

“My wife Beth read with me during the audition, and afterward she said, ‘You had so much fun with that,’” said Copeland. “She was right. Ever since I got cast, I’ve been having so much fun with the cast and crew. It’s a massive production. We filmed at Mammoth Studios, which seems apropos.

“It’s a well-made, well-crafted, well-performed show. There are three-headed dogs, Minotaurs, Medusa, and these flawed petty gods–and their kids. Just like the books that [author] Rick [Riordan] created, it’s a cool, fun, layered world.”

Courtesy Disney
Courtesy Disney

Copeland also highlighted the work of his co-stars, particularly Walker Scobell in his role as Percy Jackson, Leah Jeffries as Annabeth, and Aryan Simhadri as Grover.

“Walker is crushing it, so are Ari and Leah,” said Copeland. “I watch them and ask, where are they pulling this from? They’re really, really good. Walker, he’s sensitive, he lets you in, he’s also sarcastic–he’s found all of the right flavors, and it’s great to watch.

“Getting to share that diner scene with them, it was really fun. And they are in school between filming. I was running around in snowbanks at their age. What they’re doing is insane.”

The star-studded cast also features Lin-Manuel Miranda as Hermes and the late Lance Reddick in one of his final roles as Zeus. Whether the show will receive a second season is yet-to-be determined, but if it does, ideally Copeland will remain an integral part.

“I dipped into my wrestling bag for Ares’ intensity,” said Copeland. “Remember, Ares is a badass. He’s also petty, jealous, and flawed. That’s all kinds of layers to play with, which speaks to the writing, which is phenomenal. The writing is amazing.

“If you think back to The Goonies or those adventure movies, this hits on all those pleasure points. I’m having the time of my life with it.”

The (Online) Week in Wrestling

  • As a WWE executive, Paul “Triple H” Levesque was placed in an incredibly bad position during the Royal Rumble press conference. Only a day after severing ties with Vince McMahon, how was there not an official statement prepared for Levesque to read? His press conference leaves more questions than answers.
  • Drew McIntyre is finding a whole new layer to his brilliance.
  • Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins had a wonderful exchange on Raw. But if Rollins wrestles in the main event of the opening night of WrestleMania 40, does that means Bayley will not get her main event? Also, why does WWE keep promoting that the winner of the women’s Royal Rumble will main-event Mania?
  • There was so much to enjoy about this past Saturday’s Collision, primarily Bryan Danielson wrestling a superb bout against Yuji Nagata.
  • Sincerest condolences to Otis.

TNA builds a star during WWE’s Royal Rumble

Jordynne Grace was a phenomenal surprise at the Royal Rumble.

Courtesy WWE
Courtesy WWE

The reigning TNA Knockouts champion, Grace was sensational in the match. Not unlike the manner in which she starred during the battle royal at All In in 2018, she showcased her power, versatility, and agility. There is no one quite like Grace, and she proved during the Rumble that she would be an instant fit on the WWE roster.

The decision to highlight Grace at the Rumble was fascinating. This was different from when Mickie James entered the Rumble two years ago as Knockouts champ. James was a longtime WWE star, and the fan base was extremely familiar with her. Grace was an unknown commodity to the WWE world, and her performance further helps build her star power in TNA.

Courtesy WWE
Courtesy WWE

This was the type of appearance that is fairly common in AEW, yet not in WWE. And it was mutually beneficial. If WWE does more of this, it will be a positive for the industry as a whole.

Tweet of the Week

Matt Cardona has the biggest match of the week, wrestling Nic Nemeth at GCW’s The Coldest Winter 2 this Saturday at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

Published
Justin Barrasso
JUSTIN BARRASSO

Justin Barrasso has been writing for Sports Illustrated since 2014. While his primary focus is pro wrestling and MMA, he has also covered MLB, NBA, and the NFL. He can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.

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