'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Former NXT Champion Adam Cole is arguably the most popular WWE Superstar who hasn't fully transitioned to the main roster yet. From his exemplary character work to his remarkable in-ring chops, Cole has proven himself as a legitimate star.
When he debuted for the black-and-gold brand in 2017 after a decorated career in ROH, The Panama City Playboy instantly struck a chord with the fans. Since he aligned with Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish upon his debut, the trio collectively known as the Undisputed ERA has dominated NXT ever since.
The sheer volume of memorable matches Adam Cole has had in the past four years is unbelievable. Bouts against Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, and Aleister Black especially stand out. Cole is destined for greatness on the main roster, and it's only a matter of time before the company decides to promote him. He's done everything he possibly can on NXT, as he has held all the gold.
Sure, he recently turned heel on his Undisputed ERA stablemates, and he's in contention for the NXT Championship. But there are more than a handful of reasons why he should be on the main roster.
#5 Adam Cole has already performed on the main roster on more than one occasion
While Adam Cole is an NXT mainstay, he has shown up on the main roster on more than one occasion. These matches allowed him to showcase his boundless capabilities as a top-tier Superstar. His first main roster appearance came during the 2018 Royal Rumble Match. He entered at number 23 and lasted for nearly seven minutes before he was eliminated by the returning Rey Mysterio.
In 2019, during the build-up to Survivor Series, Adam Cole had a few excellent matches against Daniel Bryan and Seth Rollins on SmackDown and RAW, respectively. During the pay-per-view, he stole the show with his terrific match against Pete Dunne for the NXT Championship.
With so much exposure of the main roster already on his side, he wouldn't find it difficult to transition to RAW or SmackDown. Keith Lee and Riddle cooled off considerably after hot starts to their careers on the main roster. But Cole could seamlessly hit the ground running without any hiccups on the way.
#4 Adam Cole is a 13-year veteran of the business, and he has performed all over the world
Adam Cole is a well-traveled wrestler who has worked for a variety of wrestling promotions throughout his career. Some fans believe that NXT wrestlers need training before they graduate to the main roster, but many NXT stars are veterans of the business. Cole has around 13 years of experience on his side and he has more experience than many main roster Superstars.
He began his career in 2008, and his stint with Ring of Honor was immensely successful. He became one of the most decorated champions in the company's history. Cole also wrestled for New Japan Pro-Wrestling on many occasions, where he won the fans' respect.
When Adam Cole made his NXT debut, many fans were left wondering if he even needed to work for the brand when he was already ready for the main roster. But he has provided NXT with much-needed star power, and it was during his reign on the top that the company transitioned to cable television.
Cole's experience as a veteran wrestler would pay off on the main roster, as he probably wouldn't feel the pressure of competing on RAW or SmackDown the same way a young competitor would.
#3 Adam Cole has nothing left to achieve in NXT
When Adam Cole debuted for NXT at TakeOver: Brooklyn III in 2017 by attacking Drew McIntyre, he made his intentions clear. Cole raised the NXT Championship and showed everyone that he was an immediate threat for the title. Four years later, The Panama City Playboy is a former NXT Champion, the first-ever NXT North American Champion, and a former Tag Team Champion.
The creative team has so much faith in him that he was the longest-reigning NXT Champion of all time. He had a monumental 403-day run at the top. His NXT North American Championship reign gave the title the reputation and respect it currently commands from the fans. On several occasions, he also teamed up with his Undisputed ERA stablemates to form successful tag teams.
While Adam Cole has yet again found himself in the NXT Championship picture, there's nothing he hasn't achieved on the black-and-gold brand. Once the company promotes him to the main roster, the fans can expect to see him dominating RAW or SmackDown the same way he sat atop NXT.
#2 Adam Cole could become the next Shawn Michaels
Many people have compared Adam Cole to Shawn Michaels, even before the former made his way to WWE. His in-ring work and his charisma screams vintage Michaels. Since he joined NXT and began working under the guidance of the former fiur-time WWE Champion, Cole has become even more comparable to The Showstopper.
Even Michaels acknowledged the similarities between the two in an interview in 2020. The Heartbreak Kid compared himself and The Panama City Playboy due to Cole's natural charisma.
As everyone knows, Michaels is considered to be one of the finest in-ring competitors of all time. His matches were always steeped in memorable storytelling. Likewise, Adam Cole has mastered this art in NXT, as his main event matches against Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa were nothing short of masterpieces.
Having a performer like Adam Cole on the main roster would pay rich dividends for the company. Fans have repeatedly criticized WWE's current style and its lack of classic storytelling. But The Panama City Playboy could craft tell compelling stories in the ring with just about any wrestler on the main roster.
#1 Adam Cole is 31 years old, and he can carry the company for the next 10 years
It's surprising that, despite wrestling for 13 years now, Adam Cole is just 31 years old. He has become a well-rounded performer, and WWE must bring him to the main roster as soon as possible. One of the biggest issues that needs to be addressed in WWE is the age of its recent main roster call-ups.
Despite being well-liked backstage, Damian Priest is 38 years old, and there are only so many years before age catches up with him. Keith Lee is 36 years old, and Riddle is 35. Yes, they can still wrestle for a decade or more. But they are bound to slow down sooner rather than later. The company needs to focus on younger stars in order to set itself up for success down the road.
On the other hand, Adam Cole still has a good 10-12 years on his side. He can be the Superstar who takes the company into the next era. A main roster call-up in the coming months would give WWE enough time to build him up and eventually thrust him into the main event scene.
Cole seems like the kind of star who could instantly thrive on the main roster. He wouldn't need an adjustment period. Instead, he could immediately establish himself as a genuine main event talent in the making. From there, he could hold a spot atop the card for the next decade.
