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At WWE NXT TakeOver 36, Adam Cole lost the Undisputed Finale to Kyle O’Reilly. Cole pinned KOR once in the 2-out-of-3 Falls Match before tapping out to the NXT Superstar inside the steel cage.
According to many news reports, Adam Cole’s WWE contract has now come to an end. The superstar has not yet signed a new contract with the company and will be looking at all options before making a final decision.
There are many things The Panama City Playboy can still do in WWE. He is yet to move out of NXT and compete on the main roster. Meanwhile, there are a few other promotions that’ll be looking to hook in the big fish.
Take a look at five directions Adam Cole could take following his loss at NXT TakeOver 36.
#5. Adam Cole could join AEW for some dream matches
One of the biggest rumors going around the wrestling industry is that Adam Cole could sign for AEW following his time with WWE. That could certainly turn out to be true in the months to come.
Cole has been in WWE NXT for some time now and he has done everything there is to do with the brand. The Panama City Playboy could perhaps be against the idea of moving to the main roster, explaining his long run on NXT to date. This could lead him to join another company that allows a lot of creative freedom.
Cole’s girlfriend Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. is already in AEW, along with a lot of his other friends. Britt Baker was recently asked about the possibility of Cole joining AEW, and she wasn’t against the idea:
"I think it’s funny when people say, ‘he has to go to AEW because of Britt!’ because there are so many more people at AEW who have played a bigger role in the wrestling side of his life. People like The Young Bucks, Kenny; he was in the Bullet Club for the majority of the Indie career people know him for. He has such a history in AEW that, if he came here, the storylines are endless - but he’s happy where he is. So, if he were to jump ship and come my way, that would be awesome, but if he stays in WWE forever then I’d be happy, too, as I just want him to be happy."
Adam Cole is one of the hottest prospects in the industry today. CM Punk recently made his AEW debut, and that could tempt Cole to join the promotion for a dream feud between the two men.
Will wrestling fans see Adam Cole compete in some dream matches in a brand new promotion?
#4. Adam Cole could re-sign and stick around with WWE NXT
Adam Cole has been a cornerstone of WWE NXT for a few years now. He helped the company create one of the most iconic factions in the wrestling industry. Cole won the North American Championship before becoming the longest reigning NXT Champion in history.
At TakeOver 36, he lost to Kyle O’Reilly in a grudge match. Meanwhile, one of his newer rivals, Samoa Joe, became a three-time NXT Champion.
The result of the main event of TakeOver 36 could force The Panama City Playboy to re-sign with NXT and make a comeback on the brand after some time off. This could help him come in with a new character and take on some younger talent before going back into the top title picture.
#3. Adam Cole could move to RAW and get in the WWE Championship picture
The WWE Championship picture is wide open after Bobby Lashley’s victory over Goldberg at WWE SummerSlam. While the stage is likely set for a rematch between the two superstars, there are no other clear future challengers for The All Mighty.
Drew McIntyre recently got out of the WWE Championship scene while Randy Orton is busy in the tag team division. This could be the perfect time for Adam Cole to move to the RAW brand and get into a rivalry with Lashley.
Cole would not need much build on the main roster, and he could quickly get in contention for the WWE title. That could lead to a few big and unique matches between him and The All Mighty.
#2. Adam Cole could move to WWE SmackDown for a rivalry against Shinsuke Nakamura
Adam Cole will be looking for new opponents in WWE if he decides to re-sign with the company. That could lead him to WWE SmackDown where he could become one of the brand’s top superstars.
Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura is currently without a challenger for his title. Additionally, Cole’s archenemy Pat McAfee seems to be behind The King of Strong Style.
The Panama City Playboy could make his way to SmackDown where he could get in a brand new rivalry against Nakamura. Cole could target the Intercontinental Championship and also look to put down McAfee’s favorite superstar on the brand.
The angle could force McAfee to return to the ring for a rivalry against Adam Cole on the main roster.
#1. Edge could find himself in a rivalry with Adam Cole on WWE SmackDown
Another big fish Adam Cole could target on WWE SmackDown is none other than Edge. Cole and Edge have never met in the ring but have expressed their desire to work together.
Adam Cole could move to SmackDown after signing a new contract with WWE and become the new hurdle in Edge’s way of becoming a Universal Champion. The two men could end up giving fans some epic matches, similar to the one we saw between Edge and Seth Rollins at SummerSlam.
Cole will be looking to aim big if he re-signs with WWE, and there are few stars bigger than Edge on SmackDown who could give him a huge push.
