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Recent reports have indicated that Adam Cole’s time in WWE could come to an end very soon. The Panama City Playboy joined WWE in 2017 and has since been a cornerstone of NXT.
After leading one of the biggest and best factions in the company’s history, Cole broke up The Undisputed ERA to go on a solo run. At a time when it looked like the superstar would be headed to the main roster, reports suggest that he could be on his way out of WWE.
Adam Cole is expected to become a free agent following SummerSlam weekend in just a few weeks. The former NXT Champion’s contract expired following the NXT Great American Bash, but he signed a short extension.
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The former leader of The Undisputed ERA could give Kyle O’Reilly a huge rub on his way out following NXT TakeOver 36. However, he could be tempted to stay, considering that several dream rivalries await The Panama City Playboy.
Take a look at the five dream rivalries still awaiting Adam Cole in WWE.
#5. A rivalry between Samoa Joe and Adam Cole is on the cards in WWE NXT
Samoa Joe returned to WWE NXT in June and immediately knocked out Adam Cole with the Coquina Clutch. WWE planted the seeds for a rivalry between the two men early on, and it looks like their paths will cross again if they remain on the same brand for some time.
Cole recently spoke about his relationship with Samoa Joe during an interview with Alex McCarthy of talkSPORT. When asked about the possibility of facing the former United States Champion in WWE, Adam Cole said that it would be a dream match for him:
“It would be incredible. Samoa Joe was one of the guys responsible for me actually discovering independent wrestling. Him, along with CM Punk and Daniel Bryan – Bryan Danielson at the time – I remember seeing those guys and being like ‘Oh my god, I have to watch all of their matches!’
“And I have never, in my 13-year career, wrestled Samoa Joe. We just never crossed paths. And I know things are very different now where we are unsure if Joe will ever actually get back in the ring, but you can guarantee if that day does happen, I will be hoping and praying as much as the NXT fanbase is that we have an Adam Cole and Samoa Joe match."
The Samoan Submission Machine and The Panama City Playboy could end up putting on some stellar matches in WWE. Joe is currently going for the NXT Championship, and he could face Cole after potentially winning the title.
Adam Cole has talked about several WWE Superstars who he’d like to face in the ring someday. Joe is someone who could likely give Cole some of the best matches of his career.
#4. Kevin Owens and Adam Cole have been friends since before their time in WWE
There aren’t many WWE Superstars who are as famous as Adam Cole is today. Cole competed on the independent circuit for several years before joining WWE, and he has credited Kevin Owens for helping him out early on.
During an interview, Adam Cole revealed that Kevin Owens helped him out early in his career and took him under his wing. The two men came face to face in the WWE ring for the first time at NXT TakeOver: WarGames. Cole wasn’t too happy seeing his friend turn on him and compete on the opposite team in WWE:
"Well, it broke my heart [at War Games] because everyone knows that me and Kevin Owens are good buddies. And I thought, of course, the first time that me and Kevin Owens are going to get to be together in WWE, of course we're going to be a team and of course we're going to fight side by side. And instead, he tries to show up to War Games to beat the crap out of me. So, I'm still a little bitter about Kevin Owens coming out and trying to ruin my fun."
The two men’s WarGames encounter could lead to something bigger for them on the main roster. If Adam Cole ever moves to the main roster, he could take Owens’ betrayal as a point to target him and begin a big rivalry.
This would be a dream match for many fans who’ve seen these two men together on the independent circuit. Kevin Owens vs. Adam Cole is a match that can headline any pay-per-view in WWE.
#3. Adam Cole wants to face AJ Styles in WWE
Adam Cole traveled all around the world looking for some competition before signing with WWE. The NXT Superstar has faced several big names in WWE outside the company, including AJ Styles.
The Phenomenal One is one of the best professional wrestlers in the world. Cole certainly thinks so and has expressed his desire to compete against Styles in a WWE ring.
Adam Cole sat down with WWE Kids Magazine ahead of the NXT Great American Bash and discussed his previous encounter with Styles in great detail:
“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.”
Not only did Adam Cole say that Styles was his favorite opponent, but he also said that he would love to wrestle the superstar in WWE one day. Cole and Styles could put on a great rivalry on the main roster.
Their diverse fighting styles, along with flawless mic-work, could help give WWE a top program to run.
#2. Edge and Adam Cole could put on a great show in WWE
Adam Cole has already faced Daniel Bryan on WWE SmackDown in 2019. Another legend who Cole wants to face in the WWE ring is none other than the Hall of Famer, Edge. Edge returned to WWE during the 2020 Royal Rumble and has since hinted at taking on several NXT Superstars.
Speaking to Ryan Satin of FOX Sports, The Panama City Playboy revealed that he would love to have a match against Edge. Cole went as far as to say that he wouldn’t let an opportunity to face the Hall of Famer pass for anything:
"I remember years ago Edge used to come down to the Performance Center and share his knowledge with people, just because he has such a passion for pro wrestling, and it was so cool to see that and how important it was to him. He’s one of my all-time favorites. His body of work speaks for itself. Yeah. If I had the opportunity to get in the ring with Edge, I wouldn’t pass that up for anything. I would love the chance," said Adam Cole.
A rivalry between Edge and the former NXT Champion would be nothing short of epic. The Panama City Playboy has the in-ring talent and charisma to give The Rated-R Superstar a tough time if the two men meet in a WWE ring.
#1. Roman Reigns wants to face Adam Cole in WWE
Adam Cole may be the biggest name in WWE NXT. However, Roman Reigns is the biggest star in all of WWE. The current Universal Champion has proven time and time again that he is one of the finest performers of his generation.
Reigns and Adam Cole are currently competing for different brands but their paths could soon cross if Cole re-signs with WWE. During an interview with Mania Club, Reigns named The Panama City Playboy as someone who he’d like to face from NXT:
"I'd like to maybe tangle with Adam Cole, I think that would be neat. I think we would get some really good reaction."
Cole has taken on many different wrestlers throughout his career. His experience could help him put a best rivalry with Roman Reigns. The two men have very different fighting styles, and their characters could help build an intriguing storyline for the fans.
If Adam Cole does move from NXT to the SmackDown brand, he could soon find himself in a dream rivalry against The Tribal Chief for the Universal Championship. That could certainly end up being a major angle for WWE.
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