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It has been reported that Adam Cole's contract is due to end after this year's SummerSlam pay-per-view, much to the surprise of the WWE Universe. In fact, it was reported that his contract ended after NXT's Great American Bash even in July, but he decided to extend his deal a further few weeks.
Adam Cole has been a mainstay on NXT since he joined WWE in 2017. He even became the longest reigning NXT Champion and the inaugural NXT North American Champion on the black-and-gold brand. It would most definitely be a sad loss for WWE to lose such a talented and well-rounded star like Cole.
That being said, let's take a look at four reasons why Adam Cole should stay with WWE.
#4 Adam Cole could move to RAW or SmackDown and be a star
You can already hear "Adam Cole, Bay Bay!" being shouted at by the WWE Universe. Adam Cole has already made a small handful of appearances outside of NXT on the main roster. He appeared in the Royal Rumble match at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view in 2018, and also defending the NXT Championship at the Survivor Series pay-per-view in 2019.
His talent is undeniable and he possesses an enormous amount of experience from his days on the independent scene. One thing is for certain is that Adam Cole will be able to push those he faces to a different level. He wouldn't be treated as just 'another wrestler' because Adam Cole is about much more than that.
Adam Cole recently told Hooked On Wrestling what it would mean for him to be able to compete on RAW or SmackDown:
"There’s a bunch of guys I want to wrestle that I’ve never wrestled, I want to watch as fans start to come back, and I want to watch NXT grow even more. But then the idea of going to Raw or SmackDown and compete against a bunch of guys I haven’t wrestled before and getting to show what I can do on those brands is also really exiting. To me, it’s a win-win-win situation either way, wherever I end up." Adam Cole said (h/t Hooked On Wrestling
As Adam Cole mentioned above, it would be a win-win-win situation for him and for us the fans. It's something he's yet to taste, and we would want to see it.
#3 Adam Cole can face the best on the WWE roster
Adam Cole vs. Seth Rollins. Adam Cole vs. Kevin Owens. Adam Cole vs. Cesaro. Adam Cole vs. Drew McIntyre. The list goes on. These are particular feuds we could see if Adam Cole was to stay with WWE, and they'd all be worthwhile for different reasons.
Adam Cole could put on some wrestling clinics with the aforementioned superstars. Surely, that must pull at Cole's heart strings wanting to face some of these elite stars on the biggest stage, right?
Adam Cole has spoken about his desire to face AJ Styles in a WWE ring with Hooked On Wrestling:
"When we’re talking favourite opponents, and I’ve never wrestled him in WWE but overall, I would say AJ Styles. There was a time when I was coming off a shoulder, triceps and bicep surgery and I hadn’t been in a ring for four months, and my first match back was a semi-main event match with AJ Styles. I was so nervous, I didn’t know what way this was going to go, but AJ just said, ‘Don’t worry man I got you.’ And he did. He is so amazing in every way, so I would really love the idea, whether it’s Raw, SmackDown or NXT to wrestle AJ one more time." Adam Cole said (h/t Hooked On Wrestling)
If Adam Cole does stay on with WWE, one has to put AJ Styles near the top of the list. The Phenomenal One and the Panama City Playboy could have an incredible run with one another. If we're talking elite superstars, the former WWE Champion is a must for Cole.
#2 Adam Cole is yet to have a WrestleMania moment
Every WWE Superstar dreams of competing at WrestleMania, even someone like Adam Cole. Not only that, they also dream of having a WrestleMania moment that the WWE Universe will remember forever.
We know that 'independent guys' can have their moment. Just look at Seth Rollins, who stole the show at the WrestleMania 31 pay-per-view, cashing-in his Money in the Bank contract for the main event. The clip is now played every year, and fans talk about it to this day. It's possible.
Adam Cole told RondaRousey.com about his fondness for WrestleMania:
"So as far as being a fan, the first match that I ever saw where I was like, “Cool, I’m a fan of this, I love it.” was the first “Stone Cold” Steve Austin versus The Rock match at WrestleMania 15. It was in Philadelphia. I remember watching that and being like, “Oh my god, these guys are so cool. I want to start watching this.” But I never really thought about wanting to be a competitor until about two years later, where it was The Rock versus “Stone Cold” Steve Austin II. It was WrestleMania 17 in the Houston Astrodome, and I’ll never forget it. I get goosebumps when I think of it now, still to this day." Adam Cole said (h/t RondaRousey.com)
It would be awful if Adam Cole left WWE without getting his WrestleMania moment. Downright criminal, honestly, considering how important he's been to the company.
#1 Adam Cole will still be mentored by some of the best
Adam Cole is currently being mentored by WWE legends and Hall of Famers who have been there and done it. Triple H and Shawn Michaels, who lead NXT, lead the brand and continue to assist with all their wrestler's evolution.
It's a vital part of WWE superstars coming through the ranks at NXT, that they get that right advice and direction. Adam Cole has certainly had that in NXT.
Adam Cole spoke with RondaRousey.com about his mentor's influence on NXT:
"Now I work with Shawn Michaels every single week, which—in my opinion—Shawn Michaels is the best of all time, the best to ever do it. So to have him as a mentor, to have him as someone to talk to about wrestling and ping pong ideas back and forth, to be able to walk through the curtain after a really big match and him be the first one there to give me a big hug and tell me how proud he is of me, it’s surreal. Yeah, it’s something that I’m never going to lose sight of, I’m always going to appreciate it. One of the coolest things right now about the job." Adam Cole said (h/t RondaRousey.com)
If Adam Cole wants to continue learning from the man he considers the best of all time, he'll re-sign with WWE.
