Kennedi may be widely known as a Copeland, but deep down, she’s also a Hardcastle.
Kennedi Copeland is a long-time fan of the performer known as “The Rated R Superstar,” Adam Copeland (formerly known as Edge). Initially introduced to him at the age of 5, Kennedi’s admiration for Adam Copeland has remained unwavering ever since, so much so that she adopted part of his name as part of her own. Last month, Kennedi’s fandom came full circle, as she received an opportunity to wrestle in Adam’s homebase of All Elite Wrestling.
Given that the Copeland surname was already being utilized in AEW, Kennedi was tasked with choosing a replacement last name for herself. As a continued homage, Kennedi ultimately landed on Hardcastle — the last name under which Adam Copeland performed before signing with WWE in 1997. As such, Kennedi Copeland temporarily transformed into Kennedi Hardcastle.
Being A Hardcastle
“Well first of all, that night was very stressful because when I got the invite, I was like ‘Oh my God what if [Adam Copeland] is there?’ Honestly, a lot of people were like ‘was he there?’ and I’m almost relieved that he wasn’t just because I don’t know what I would do. It also just kind of gives me something to still strive for, something to look forward to,” she told WrestleZone’s Ella Jay.
“That’s not to say that the Rampage match wasn’t amazing in itself. I don’t want to diminish that at all, but I was asked that if they were to use me, obviously we’d have to change the name so what else would [I] want to go by. And as a joke I said Hardcastle. I was like, ‘There’s no way they’re going to bite,’ but they did. They loved it, and so I’m pretty sure that’s kind of what got me the opportunity almost. So yeah, what started off as a joke really kind of paid off in the end.”
The match in reference occurred on the January 5 episode of AEW Rampage, where Kennedi Hardcastle and Notorious Mimi teamed up to face AEW regulars Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale.
Watch our full interview with Kennedi Copeland below:
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