Adam Copeland Shines at MLP’s Northern Rising

Adam Copeland took center stage on Saturday night at the Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling (MLP) event, Northern Rising, held at the iconic Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. This opportunity was significant for Copeland, who had long desired to perform at this venue, having watched his first wrestling match there as a child.

Previously, Copeland never had the chance to compete at the Gardens during his WWE tenure, as the company moved events to larger arenas. But MLP, in collaboration with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), offered him this chance to step into the ring.

On October 3, 2026, Copeland faced off against Steve Maclin, a highly sought-after free agent in pro wrestling. Maclin, a former U.S. Marine turned wrestler, had eagerly anticipated this showdown, even appearing on AEW’s “Dynamite” to ambush Copeland before the event.

Street Fight Showdown

Despite being 52 years old, Copeland delivered a high-energy performance in the street fight against Maclin during the event’s main attraction. The match featured intense moments, including Copeland suplexing Maclin from the ring apron into a ladder and executing a top-turnbuckle splash that sent Maclin through an outside table.

Maclin retaliated with his own moves, including suplexing Copeland onto a ladder. The match witnessed interference from Ring of Honor’s Deonna Purrazzo, Maclin’s wife, who sprayed Copeland and the referee. However, wrestling legend Rhino intervened, leveling the playing field by spearing Maclin and Purrazzo.

With the odds even, Copeland capitalized. He exited the ring, sprinted down the ramp, and speared Maclin through the ropes. One final spear resulted in Copeland covering Maclin for the victory.

Undisputed MLP Canadian Champion

Before Copeland’s showdown, Josh Alexander and Stu Grayson clashed for the Undisputed MLP Canadian Championship. Although Grayson held the title as the interim champion, Alexander saw himself as the rightful champion despite his absence due to a knee injury.

In their intense bout, both competitors avoided substantial moves early on. A pivotal moment occurred when Alexander thwarted Grayson’s high-risk move, sending him crashing into security personnel. The match heightened as Grayson attempted to regain control with a superplex and knee strike.

In the match’s closing moments, Don Callis’s interference provided Alexander a chance to gain the upper hand. With the referee distracted, Alexander used a hidden screwdriver to his advantage, executing two C4 piledrivers on Grayson to secure the win.

Kelly and Andrade Retain Titles

Priscilla Kelly successfully defended her MLP Canadian Women’s Championship against Nikki Storm. From the outset, Kelly dominated the match, using an array of kicks and a dropkick to maintain the upper hand. She retained her title, extending her reign beyond 55 days.

Andrade El Idolo also defended his AEW National Championship against Rohan Raja. Despite Raja’s recent dominance against Luchadores in previous matchups, Andrade’s superior in-ring skills prevailed. A notable moment saw Andrade deliver a powerslam on Raja from the ring apron to the floor. Afterward, Andrade acknowledged Raja’s efforts with a handshake, indicating respect for his adversary.

Tag Team Titles Change Hands

The Grizzled Young Veterans claimed victory in a tag team matchup, capturing the MLP Canadian Tag Team Championship. Competing against 1st Faction and Sinner & Saints, the Veterans delivered on their pre-match promise to dominate. Despite a brief distraction, they secured the titles, ending the 191-day reign of 1st Faction.

Additional Results from Northern Rising

• Jonathan Gresham defeated Tarik and Vaughn Vertigo.
• Rudra defeated Jonny DeLuca.
• Luigi Primo, El Reverso, and Mo Jabari defeated Johnny Parisi, Gama Singh Jr., and Michael Allen Richard Clark.
• Máscara Dorada and Subculture defeated TJP, Johnny TV, and Gabriel Fuerza.
• Alice Crowley and Jody Threat defeated Kinsley and Alexia Nicole.
• Psycho Mike defeated Dan Maff and Crazzy Steve.

Ryan Gaydos serves as a senior editor for Fox News Digital.