We cut to a pre-recorded video from The Undisputed Era – NXT Champion Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, and NXT Tag Team Champions Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly. Cole say the prophecy will be fulfilled when NXT goes live on the USA Network as Strong will take the NXT North American Title from The Velveteen Dream, which will bring all the gold home to them. Strong talks more about Dream and the title shot. Cole says when they have all the gold, no one on the planet will be able to stop them, and that’s not a threat or a promise, that is undisputed. They pose together to end the segment.

– We get video packages for NXT on the USA Network, and the weekly NXT UK series. NXT goes off the air.

Match Number Five: NXT Men’s Championship Match (Two out of Three Falls): Adam Cole versus Johnny Gargano

Fall Number One: Standard Match

They lock up and Gargano with a wrist lock. Gargano with a front face lock. Cole with a shoulder tackle and waist lock but Gargano with a standing switch and Gargano tries for an O’Connor Roll but Cole holds on to the ropes. Gargano misses a kick but Gargano with a kick. Both man go for a super kick but they stop short. They lock up and Gargano with a clean break but Cole with a kick to the shin and he goes to the turnbuckles. Cole leaps over Gargano and Gargano kicks Cole in the shin and goes to the turnbuckles. Gargano with a head scissors and clothesline that sends Cole to the floor and Gargano with a drop kick.

Cole pulls Gargano to the apron and Gargano with a kick. Cole misses a kick and hits the ring steps. Gargano drops the knee onto the apron. Gargano slams the leg onto the apron. Gargano with a knee drop to the leg. Cole gets to the ropes to force Gargano to release the hold. Gargano stomps on the knee. Gargano wraps the leg in the ropes and the referee warns Gargano. Cole pulls Gargano to the floor and hits a wheelbarrow suplex onto the apron. Cole with elbow drops and he favors his leg. Gargano with a punch to the leg but Cole with a punch followed by a neck breaker for a near fall.

Cole with a figure four head scissors and Gargano bridges to get a near fall. Gargano escapes and he applies an ankle lock but Cole sends Gargano into the turnbuckles to escape. Cole goes to the turnbuckles and leaps over Gargano but his knee gives out a bit. Gargano with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex into the turnbuckles. Gargano and Cole exchange forearms and then Cole misses a Northern Lariat. Gargano with clotheslines and he kicks Cole in the back of the leg. Gargano with a chop and he sends Cole into the ropes for a rollup into a round kick. Cole sends Gargano to the apron and Gargano goes for the slingshot spear but Cole catches Gargano. Gargano escapes a suplex attempt and hits a Michinoku Driver for a near fall.

Gargano with punches and chops in the corner. Gargano with a double stomp to the leg and Gargano applies a figure four leg lock. Cole’s shoulders go to the mat and Gargano gets a near fall. Cole gets to the ropes to force a break. Gargano grabs th eleg and Cole with an elbow. Cole gets Gargano up but Gargano with elbows. Cole with a wheelbarrow suplex for a near fall. Cole with forearms to the back and Gargano lands on his feet. Gargno misses a kick but Cole with a kick to the back of the head and an enzuigiri. Gargano with a kick and Cole with a kick. Gargano counters a Panama City Destroyer into a Sunset Driver for a near fall. Gargano puts Cole on the turnbuckles and punches Cole.

Cole sets for a sunset flip power bomb but Gargano holds on. Cole’s knee gives out and Cole with a Codebreaker as Gargano comes off the turnbuckles. Cole with a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Cole and Gargano both with forearms and then they miss kicks and clotheslines. Both men with clotheslines and both men are down. Gargano goes for a suicide dive and Cole with an enzuigiri. Gargano counters a wheelbarrow suplex to send Cole into the ringside barrier. Gargano with a slingshot DDT and he gets a near fall. Gargano with a thrust kick from the apron. Cole kicks Gargano when he goes for a slingshot DDT. Cole with another kick followed by a brainbuster neck breaker for a near fall. Cole sends Gargano into teh turnbuckles and he kicks Gargano.

Cole goes to the floor and he gets a chair. The referee and Cole exchange words and Cole with a low kick when the referee takes the chair and puts it down. Gargano kicks out. Cole grabs the chair again and sets it up in the ring and sits down. Cole gets up and he throws the chair down. Cole argues with the referee and Gargano with a super kick and Cole goes down to a knee. Gargano grabs the chair and the referee warns Gargano. Gargano hits Cole with the chair and he is disqualified.

Winner of Fall: Adam Cole

Fall Number Two: Street Fight

Gargano hits Cole with the chair. Cole goes to the floor and Gargano throws the chair at him and hits a suicide dive. They go into the crowd. Gargano has a beverage and he hits Cole in the head with it. Gargano sends Cole into the front row of the seating area. Gargano with a double sledge off the front row of the bleachers and then he takes a photo. Cole with punches and Gargano with a kick. Cole with forearms. Gargano with a super kick and then he puts Cole in a chair and sends him into the production area. Cole sends Gargano into a production case and then Gargano with a cross body that knocks over the ringside barrier.. Gargano sets up the announce table and Gargano picks up Cole. Cole rakes the eyes and then Gargano back drops Cole through the Spanish Announce Table.

Cole is back in the ring and Gargano looks under the ring and he gets a few tables. Gargano throws some chairs into the ring. Cole with a Shining Wizard followed by an Ushigoroshi onto a chair for a near fall. Cole puts a chair in the turnbuckles. Gargano avoids being sent into the chair and Gargano with punches. Gargano tries for a lawn dart into the chair but Cole escapes. Cole goes to the turnbuckles and Gargano with an enzuigiri. Gargano with a Lawn Dart into the chair. Gargano with GargaNo Escape and Cole taps out.

Winner of Fall: Johnny Gargano

Fall Number Three: Cage Match with Barbed Wire and Weapons

Cole goes for a kendo stick but Gargano stops him and Gargano with punches. Cole with a series of bicycle kicks and Gargano with a discus clothesline. Cole with a super kick to stop a kendo stick. Gargano returns the favor and then they go back and forth wtih kendo sticks. Both men with super kicks and both are down. Gargano sets up chairs. Gargano goes for a ladder on top of the cage but Cole stops him. Gargano with a rana and a reverse rana. Gargano with a super kick to knock Cole out of the chair for a near fall. Gargano sets up a table and then Cole hits Gargano in the midsection and back with a chair. Cole gets a chair from the cage and Cole sends Gargano into the chair against the cage.

Cole with a lungblower with the kendo stick across the mouth and Cole gets a near fall. Cole sets up chairs in the ring and he puts Gargano on the turnbuckles. Cole sets for a superplex but Gargano stops Cole and then sprays the fire extinguisher into Cole’s face. Gargano with a tornado DDT into the chairs for a near fall. Gargano hits Cole with the kendo stick. Gargano climbs the cage to get a sledgehammer but Cole stops Gargano and Gargano with elbows to Cole on the top rope. Gargano with a sunset flip power bomb for a near fall. Gargano climbs the cage again and gets the sledgehammer. Cole with a series of super kicks to stop Gargano from using the sledgehammer. Cole gets the ladder and throws it at Gargano but Gargano escapes. Cole with Panama Sunrise for a near fall.

Cole sets up the ladder and climbs it. Cole with a Panama Sunrise off the top of the ladder and Gargano kicks out. Gargano falls down on the Last Shot attempt by Cole. Cole puts Gargano against a chair and Gargano avoids a Last Shot and Cole’s knee hits the chair. Gargano with the STF and the kendo stick but Cole bites Gargano to escape the hold. Gargano has the slegehammer and Gargano hits Cole in the ribs. Gargano moves the table into position. Gargano puts the second table next to the first one in front of the ladder. Gargano puts Cole on the second table. Gargano climbs the ladder and Cole falls off the table. Gargano goes back to the mat. Gargano hits Cole with a kendo stick. Gargano sends Cole into the turnbuckle and Gargano iwth a Destroyer off the turnbuckles for a near fall. Gargano pulls out some brass knuckles and pliers from a sack. Gargano goes to the top of the cage to cut some barbed wire. Cole climbs teh cage and gets onto the table on top of the cage. Gargano climbs up too.

They fight on the table on top of the cage. Gargano tires to use the barbed wire and both men fall off the table through the table. Cole covers Gargano for the three count.

Winner: Adam Cole (retains Championship)

After the match, The Undisputed Era come to the ring to check on Adam.

We go to credits.

With Today (July 5th) Being Adam’s Birthday We thought we’d put together a Little Project with some fans and share their birthday messages for The Leader of Undisputed ERA & The NXT Champion Adam Cole … So Below you will find some of those submissions along with their usernames etc !!! Happy Birthday Adam here’s to this being the Best Birthday yet for you !!

happy birthday!!! i’m so grateful i have someone like you in my life to look up to. your matches and talent never cease to amaze me. when i got to meet you the day after wrestlemania 35, i was so taken aback at how nice you were. you’ve always been one of my favorite guys to watch & getting to scream “ADAM COLE BAY BAY” is one of my favorite things to do. i hope you have an amazing day, i love you & the rest of UE so much ?

-@simonealexaa

@SethBabe15

Happy Birthday Adam !! seen you many times live in person and you’re just an all around amazing talent and deserve to be the NXT Champion more then anyone proud of you -Sam

Happy Birthday & Let’s hope your Birthday “Shocks the System” congrats on becoming NXT Champ it’s well earned after all the years you’ve spent busting your ass proving why you belong in this Business -Cecilia

Happy birthday Adam!! Your talent, passion, and dedication is an inspiration, and you’re such a bright spot in the world of wrestling. I hope you have a wonderful day ?? -@sarahnndipitous

Happy Birthday BAY BAY … Seriously Adam you’re the best Wrestler In the world and you always make your fans proud each and every time !!! Keep being the best and putting on match after match that is a qualifier for match of the year -Dustin

Happy Birthday Adam !!! It’s an Honor to run this site for you !!! I’m so proud to say I’ve been a fan of yours since you were in ROH & always hoped we’d see the day where you made it to WWE Because you truly deserve it SO much !!! and was so happy when you made your NXT Debut in Brooklyn… and since then you’ve been proving night in and night out why you are indeed the BEST & The fact that your now the NXT Champion is amazing to see because it means all your hard work has been paying off !! Happy Birthday & may this be another amazing year for you because you deserve all the best and thanks for always being so supportive of The site & me running it for you cause i always strive to bring everyone the very best content on you to follow your career … -Kat-Owner of Adam Cole Source

Next week, NXT Champion Adam Cole will be on television and in Full Sail for the first time since becoming Champion.

The Undisputed Era makes their way to the ring.

Adam Cole says they have heard the whispers in the locker room. All of you morons are probably wondering if the rumors are true. The Undisputed Era is going nowhere. They are stronger than they have ever been and they are on the same page. This is a message to everyone in the locker room. Your contract may say NXT Superstar, but we own you. We will not stop until we run this place. We will continue to take what we want, when we want. We will soon be draped in championship gold. That begins in just two weeks at Takeover. Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish will regain the Tag titles. Adam says he will take the NXT Championship from Johnny Gargano.

NXT Men’s Champion Johnny Gargano interrupts and makes his way to the stage.

Johnny says he will save Adam some time. If you want him to put his title on the line, then he will do it. Johnny wants Adam to tell the truth. He wants Adam to admit that he cannot beat Johnny on his own.

Adam wants a time out and he asks what kind of an idiot is Johnny. Adam reminds Johnny he won the first fall.

Johnny says you keep reminding him about that, but do you understand how math works? You didn’t shock the school system. Math is hard. Johnny says he will explain it for Adam very slowly. In a two out of three falls match, you need to win TWO falls. You only won ONE fall. Johnny says he won TWO falls. That makes him the NXT Champion. Do you understand?

Adam tells Johnny to shut up. He says you can be as condescending as you want, but it eats you alive that he pinned Johnny by himself in New York. In two weeks, Adam Cole is going to do it again. As far as tonight is concerned, they are celebrating. . .

Matt Riddle comes from behind and he goes after The Undisputed Era. They work over Riddle but Gargano makes his way to the ring and Riddle kicks Strong to the floor and Gargano takes care of Cole.

Referees come to the ring to separate everyone.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Three: Matt Riddle and Johnny Gargano versus Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish

Kyle and Johnny start things off. They lock up and Gargano with a wrist lock. Kyle with a drop toe hold but Johnny with a front face lock and he gets a cover but Kyle keeps his shoulders off the mat. Bobby has some words for Kyle. They go for a test of strength and Kyle with a body scissors and then he applies a triangle but Gargano escapes and goes for the GargaNo Escape. Kyle is able to escape the hold. Gargano with arm drags but Kyle with a kick and front face lock. Fish tags in and he snap mares Johnny and applies a reverse chin lock. Fish with a punch and he sends Gargano to the mat but Riddle avoids a punch from Fish.

Kyle misses a knee off the apron on Riddle and Riddle with a kick. Fish hits Riddle. Gargano with a kick to Fish’s head from the apron. Riddle wants to tag in and Gargano with a front face lock and he makes the tag. Riddle with palm strikes to Fish while Gargano holds him. Riddle with kicks in the corner. Riddle with a forearm to knock Kyle off. Riddle with a few runing forearms to Fish followed by an exploder. Riddle with a kick to Kyle to get him out of the ring. Fish with forearms and a kick. Riddle with a gutwrench suplex and he rolls through and hits a second one. Riddle holds on and rolls through for a third one, but he decides to let Fish go when he sees Kyle try to interfere so Riddle with a gutwrench suplex. Fish with a running back elbow to stop Riddle.

Kyle tags in and he kicks and punches Riddle in the ribs. Kyle with a knee to the head. Fish tags in and kicks Riddle and punches him in the ribs to work on the taped up body parts. Fish sends Riddle into the turnbuckles and Kyle tags in and hits a running forearm. Kyle with a waist lock take down and Kyle with knees to the ribs as well as elbows. Kyle with a sliding knee to the ribs for a near fall. Fish tags in and they go for a double suplex and hit it. Fish gets a near fall. Fish with a forearm to the abdomen. Riddle with punches but Fish with knees. Fish with a snap mare and Fish with a double jump slingshot senton for a near fall.

Fish with knees and Kyle tags in. Kyle with a knee to Riddle followed by a snap mare and a seated abdominal stretch. Kyle with a rollup for a near fall. Riddle with stirkes but Kyle blocks a kick. Kyle escapes a power bomb attempt and Kyle with a guillotine. Riddle with a knee. Gargano and Fish tag in and Gargano with a kick and clotheslines. Gargano with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Gargano chops Kyle and Fish and then Gargano with a bulldog and clothesline combination on Fish and O’Reilly. Johnny with a tornado DDT for a near fall. Gargano punches Kyle on the apron. Fish with a back heel kick and Kyle tags in and they hit Chasing the Dragon for a near fall.

Gargano with an enzuigiri to Fish and Kyle with a kick and forearm to Johnny. Kyle with a German suplex on Riddle but Riddle pops up. Kyle with a German suplex. Riddle with a forearm and kick to Kyle. Gargano rolls up Fish and misses a round kick. Gargano with a super kick and Riddle with a back senton. Riddle gets a near fall. Gargano with a kick to Kyle and then Riddle with a round kick and Gargano tosses Kyle into a knee from Riddle. Fish with a kick but Riddle with a power bomb and knee for a near fall when Kyle pulls Bobby out of the ring. Riddle with a kick to Kyle.

Adam Cole makes his way to the ring and Gargano with a suicide dive and he punches Cole. Strong with a jumping knee while the referee deals with Cole and Garagno. Strong with a release suplex onto the apron and then Kyle and Bobby with a high low combination for the three count.

Winners: Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly

After the match, the Undisputed Era attack Riddle and Gargano. Cole with Last Shot to Gargano while Strong and Kyle hold Johnny.

We go to credits.

Had it been a singles match at NXT TakeOver: New York, Adam Cole would be the NXT Champion. But with the way the stars aligned over Barclays Center that night, it was Johnny Gargano who seized two falls to win the coveted crown in their 2-out-of-3 Falls classic. At NXT TakeOver: XXV, the two lionhearted Superstars have an opportunity to either correct or solidify history when they return to the squared circle with NXT’s top prize on the line.

The Undisputed ERA leader has often cited his pinfall over Gargano in the first 15 minutes of their bout as the reason he deserves a rematch against the champion. “I pinned him first,” he recently told WWE.com in an exclusive interview. “I did it by myself and in about 15 minutes.” Acknowledging that the title around his waist puts him squarely in The Undisputed ERA’s crosshairs, Gargano convinced NXT General Manager William Regal to approve a championship match between him and Cole at TakeOver: XXV.

For the NXT Champion, this battle will be all about protecting his reign. For Cole, as told to WWE.com, it’s about proving why he was “born to be the NXT Champion.” It will be “go big or go home” when these bitter adversaries battle it out in this much-anticipated rematch.

Will it be “wins and championships” once again for Gargano, or will Cole see his golden prophecy realized? Find out at NXT TakeOver: XXV, streaming live Saturday, June 1, on the award-winning WWE Network!

We see Adam Cole in the back getting ready for his match against Matt Riddle. We see Matt Riddle in the back as well.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a look at KUSHIDA’s debut from last week.

Next week, KUSHIDA will return to action.

Match Number Three: Matt Riddle versus Adam Cole

Riddle with a waist lock take down and he holds on for another take down. Cole tries to escape but Riddle sends Cole to the mat again. Cole is able to get to the floor and escape Riddle. Cole returns to the ring and they lock up. Riddle with a waist lock and Cole with a back elbow and forearms. Cole with a side head lock. Riddle rolls through and applies a side head lock. Riddle with a shoulder tackle and Riddle with a back senton when Cole drops down. Riddle gets a near fall.

Riddle with a gutwrench suplex and he holds on and rolls through for a second one. Riddle with a third one. Cole with a kick to the head. Cole with a snap mare and knee to the back. Cole with a figure four head scissors. Riddle bridges back for a near fall. Cole with a clothesline. Cole sends Riddle into the turnbuckles but Riddle with a chop. Cole with forearms to Riddle. Cole with a neck breaker and Dragon Sleeper on Riddle.

Cole with a back elbow and he calls Riddle a joke. Riddle with chops. Riddle with more strikes and a kick but he misses a round kick. Cole with an enzuigiri but Riddle with a German suplex. Riddle with more strikes. Riddle with a round kick and running forearm into teh corner and a second one. Riddle with an exploder to Cole. Riddle misses a kick and moonsault but hits a back senton and running kick to the chest for a near fall. Cole with a waist lock and Riddle with a standing switch.

Riddle with a German suplex and bridge for a near fall. Riddle is backed into the turnbuckles. Cole gets Riddle on his shoulders but Riddle with elbows. Cole with a bicycle kick and an ushigoroshi for a near fall. Cole goes for a suplex but Riddle blocks it. Riddle with a knee to the head and Riddle gets Cole on his shoulders and Cole counters into a lungblower. Cole gets a near fall. Riddle and Cole exchange chops and forearms. Riddle with chops and Cole stomps on the foot. Cole has a super kick blocked and Riddle applies the ankle lock. Cole rolls over and Riddle goes for the BroMission and Cole gets a near fall. Riddle with a round kick and Riddle with a fisherman’s buster and rolls through for a second one. Riddle goes for a third one but Cole counters into a brainbuster shoulder breaker for a near fall.

Cole gets to his feet first and Riddle with chops. Cole gets Riddle to cover up and Cole with a thrust kick to the knees. Cole goes for the Panama City Destroyer but Riddle does not go over. Cole with a super kick and Last Shot for a near fall. Cole pulls down the knee pad and hits an enzuigiri. Riddle with a knee strike and Go to Sleep followed by a power bomb and running knee to the head. Cole falls to the floor.

Strong comes out to check on Cole and Riddle kicks him. Riddle flips back into the ring and Cole with a super kick for a near fall. Riddle with the BroMission and Cole taps out.

Winner: Matt Riddle

After the match, Fish and O’Reilly come to the ring and they try to go after Riddle with Strong but Riddle is able to get to the floor.

Strong checks on Cole but Cole pushes Strong away. Cole and Strong have words as Fish and Kyle try to place peacekeepers.

Cole leaves the ring and Strong leaves on the other side of the ring.

Kyle talks to Cole while Fish talks to Strong.

We go to credits.

They say heavy is the head that wears the crown, but so is the one who dons the peaked cap. For Adam Cole, the uncontested general of Undisputed ERA, that message is, well, undisputed. This Friday, May 10, The Panama City Playboy will lace up his bootstraps to battle at EVOLVE 127 where he’ll compete in a non-title match against ever-bumptious EVOLVE Champion Austin Theory at the Monaghan Knights of Columbus Hall in Livonia, Mich. From there, Cole embarks on a second night of action at EVOLVE 128 on Saturday, May 11, inside the historic Southside Turners in Indianapolis, where he takes on longtime rival AR Fox in singles competition.

While he appears more than ready for battle, the leader of Undisputed ERA has other things on his mind that could surely contribute to some level of uneasiness. For one, there’s the fallout of NXT TakeOver: New York. Although Johnny Gargano emerged from their 2-out-of-3 Falls classic as NXT Champion, Cole scored the first pinfall — which, according to the inaugural NXT North American Champion, is enough to warrant a rematch. Then there’s the matter of Matt Riddle, who has spent the past few weeks meddling in The Undisputed ERA’s affairs and now will face Cole this Wednesday. Speaking of the black-and-gold comrades, the reports of dissension among Undisputed ERA members are also weighing heavy on Cole’s mind. The rumor mill has been running overtime following incidents like those which transpired on the May 1 edition of NXT, when Roderick Strong seemingly walked away from the group after an unpleasant exchange backstage with Cole.

As the weight continues to build, Cole unpacked his thoughts on all topics at hands, including EVOLVE and his plans to “embarrass” Austin Theory, taking Johnny Gargano’s coveted prize, rolling over Matt Riddle and his allegiance to The Undisputed ERA.

WWE.COM: Big week coming up, between your match against Matt Riddle and your return to EVOLVE. Let’s start with Riddle, who’s been involved in your affairs as of late. What are your thoughts heading into Wednesday’s battle?

ADAM COLE: I pride myself on telling the truth. The truth is Matt Riddle is an incredibly talented guy. He’s laid back, though, to a fault. He decided to make some comments, thinking that he’s getting under my skin, and he succeeded; in turn, we’re having this match this week on NXT TV. He’s going to pay for that. I’m very aware of how talented and skilled the guy is, but if he thinks our match is going to be a walk in the park, he’s got a totally different thing coming.

I’ve morphed and changed since coming to NXT – I recognize that. There was a phase where without question, I felt like every time I walked into that locker room, I was the best, I had nothing to prove, and I was on top of the world. I still think that I’m the best, but now I’m more focused than ever on making sure every single person in that locker room recognizes that as well. I’m angrier, I’m more focused and more determined to make sure that I become the NXT Champion as soon as possible. If Matt Riddle is in my way, I’m just going to have to hurt Matt Riddle in the process. We’re going to have a fight, and I can tell you this much: Matt Riddle is not going to leave that match the same as he did coming in.

WWE.COM: Looking ahead to this weekend, what does it mean to step back in the ring at EVOLVE?

ADAM COLE: Since joining NXT, to be able to come back and do some independent shows, specifically EVOLVE, has been really cool for me. For people who haven’t been following my entire career, the independents are where my heart is, where I got my start, and where I made a name for myself. They gave me the ability to travel overseas and do a lot of really incredible things. More importantly, the two guys that I’m getting to step into the ring with [this weekend] are two of the most talented guys on the independents.

Austin Theory is a guy I haven’t really faced before, but he’s just a bundle of talent. He’s got a big mouth, but he’s got talent. As for AR Fox, I think I first wrestled him in 2009 at CZW. He was a rival of mine when I first started making a name for myself as the CZW Junior Heavyweight Champion. We had some really competitive matches, so I’m excited to get the chance to step in the ring with him again, considering it’s been so long. He’s gotten better, I’ve gotten better – it’s going to be a great weekend.

Another cool thing about these EVOLVE shows is that we do a meet-and-greet before both events. I’ll get a chance to meet everybody, sign some autographs and take some pictures. That last time I was at EVOLVE, I got the chance to meet hundreds of fans, and it was so awesome to chat with them and see how long they’ve been following me. Promotions like EVOLVE have these fanbases that are so passionate about wrestling. People who are fans of mine know that I eat, sleep and breathe wrestling. To get to come to these events and meet these people and see these guys from these rosters, who are working their tails off, honing their game, getting better every time I see them, it’s very cool. I have a connection and will always have a connection to the independents. EVOLVE is one of the hottest promotions in the United States, and I’m excited to come back.

WWE.COM: Since you mentioned that he’s “got a big mouth,” what’s your take on Austin Theory? He’s been busy throwing jabs at you in recent weeks.

COLE: I understand what Austin Theory is doing. Even in a weird kind of way, I respect it because I was Austin Theory before. I was young, brash, arrogant and on top of the world, and I felt like I was already in my prime at such a young age. That’s Theory right now. He’s in amazing shape, on top of the world, the champion – he’s clicking on all cylinders. So now he’s trying to bark up the wrong tree, which is the biggest issue here. He’s running his mouth because he feels like he can. He hasn’t been in a situation yet where he’s had to face me in the ring before. So, pretty much I’m going to embarrass Austin Theory.

We’re going to have a great match, because I know how incredibly talented he is, and I know it’s going to be competitive. But, if Theory thinks he’s even close to being in the caliber of an Adam Cole, at this point in his career, I’m going to show him how wrong he is when we get in the ring together.

WWE.COM: Speaking of competition and incredible talent, you and Johnny Gargano delivered an all-time classic at NXT TakeOver: New York. What was it like battling under such high stakes?

COLE: With the exception of the outcome, it was special for sure. Brooklyn, specifically, is very near and dear to my heart. It’s where I made my debut in NXT, so to be able to finally get that NXT Championship match at a TakeOver was really cool. Gargano is another guy that I’ve had a long and storied history with. We got the chance for the first time to wrestle each other at arguably the biggest NXT event that we’ve ever had, and I think we had more eyes on us than ever before. Me and Johnny brought our energy, but those fans brought their energy, too. In turn, that created a really special night, making a match that I think people are going to remember for a really long time.

WWE.COM: You’ve been pretty vocal about the fact that had this match been a standard contest, instead of a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match, you’d be crowned champion. Where’s you mind now, as far as the match’s aftermath?

COLE: I’m a guy who tries not to harp on the negatives too much, but I can’t help but focus on the fact that if Johnny and I had any match other than a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match, I would be the NXT Champion. I pinned him first, I did it by myself and in about 15 minutes. The reason why I’m talking about the match like I am is because Johnny knows deep down that when we have our rematch, which we will, that he’s not going to be champion anymore. Johnny, to me, was lucky that it was 2-out-of-3 Falls. He was thrown into a lucky situation. A guy like Gargano was never meant to be the NXT Champion. I was born to be the NXT Champion. Of course, it was frustrating not to leave that night, the biggest TakeOver of all time, as the champion, but sometimes lightning strikes. Sometimes, if you take enough shots, you make the shot. The next time we wrestle for the NXT Championship, I’m going to be the one that leaves with the NXT Title. That’s all I’m focused on.

WWE.COM: There have been rumors running as of late about possible dissension in The Undisputed ERA — specifically recent rifts with Roderick Strong. What’s your response to such rumors?

COLE: Yeah, that’s a touchy subject for me. I don’t really know where Roderick is at the moment; we haven’t really talked a ton. We’ve had some time apart, but I’ll tell you this much regarding The Undisputed ERA and people questioning the position of this group: In my opinion — and I stand by this — without question, Adam Cole has been and will always be the leader. Sometimes there is some rift, friction and questions that goes on in a family.

WWE.COM: Is this family about to experience a divorce?

COLE: Let me put it to you this way: When you have brothers, you cannot change the fact that that person is your brother. Sometimes you fight, argue or choose to not have any relationship with a brother anymore. Sometimes you work through it and your relationship grows stronger. I stand by the fact that The Undisputed ERA is not just a wrestling faction, we’re a brotherhood. We’re guys who’ve known each other since our careers started. We’ve traveled up and down the road together, we’ve shared plenty of important moments. So whether we’re able to work through this is another question that I don’t know if I can answer, but I know where I stand on The Undisputed ERA. I know how I feel about The Undisputed ERA. If this brotherhood is as strong as I think it is, we’ll pull through and prove that we come back stronger than ever.

WWE.COM: Since the ERA debuted on NXT, you’ve managed to elevate the term “Undisputed” from a phrase to a movement. What would you attribute to the winning recipe behind the Undisputed ERA formula?

COLE: When The Undisputed ERA formed, we had a tagline that has turned into a mantra for us: “Shock the system.” When we came to WWE, it was very important for us to make as much of an impact as we possibly could. When you have a group of all likeminded individuals — who feel the same way, have the same goals and have the same passion — that’s when stuff gets dangerous for everybody else. I’m very aware that Adam Cole, as an individual, is a dangerous, skilled competitor. Kyle O’Reilly, same thing. Bobby Fish, same thing. Roderick Strong, same thing. But when it’s the four of us together, nobody can mess with us. When the four of us are all on, that’s when we succeed. I think a big reason why The Undisputed ERA has been so successful is that we all have our individual goals, and we all have goals as a group; we’re just as focused on the collective goals as the individual ones. I fight for two things: myself and The Undisputed ERA. I know those guys feel the same exact way.

We said before that we want to run NXT, [and] that goal hasn’t changed. We’re in the process of making that happen. We’re not going to stop until we make that happen.

WWE.COM: So that 2019 promise of championships all around is still undisputed?

COLE: Absolutely, without question. Speed bumps happen, like TakeOver: New York, when it was my time to become NXT Champion and it didn’t happen. But the year is still young and there are a lot of things that we could do to make sure that goal becomes a reality. That goal very much stands, and that is our mentality. By the end of the year – and I’ve said it before and will say it again – I promise that all of us will have championship gold in NXT.

It’s time to shake things up! The Superstar Shake-up goes international this year, as Raw and SmackDown LIVE emanate from Montreal and prepare for dramatic changes to their rosters.

Which Superstars might switch brands? What possibilities would these jumps create? WWE.com’s editors got together and made 5 picks as to who they’d like to see switch brands in this year’s Superstar Shake-up. Do you agree? Let us know in the comments!

How’s this for a shock to the system: After running amuck on NXT for almost two years, The Undisputed ERA pulls the rug from under the red brand with a statement-making debut as part of the Superstar Shake-up.

Frankly, no example illustrates this potential shift better than their strong-arm debut at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, when Adam Cole (“BAY BAY!”) hoisted the NXT Title moments after Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish made a beeline for the NXT Tag Team Titles. With Roderick Strong joining the foray a few months later, it not only strengthened their numbers game but also the collective threat they pose to any locker room. Like sharks encircling prey, Undisputed ERA have conquered and devoured almost everything in their path on the black-and-gold brand. A move to Raw would provide these outlaws fresh fish and a new environment to expand their dominance. And that right there is Undisputed. – RALPH BRISTOUT

History will be made, and a new NXT Champion will be crowned when Johnny Gargano battles Adam Cole in a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match for the newly vacated title at TakeOver: New York.

Gargano was originally earmarked to challenge arch-rival Tommaso Ciampa for the NXT Title at TakeOver, but a neck injury forced Ciampa to relinquish the coveted championship, necessitating a change of plans for New York.

In light of that development, WWE COO Triple H revealed on March 20 that the NXT Championship would instead be decided in a match between Gargano and the winner of a Fatal 5-Way Match held later that night between Cole, Ricochet, Aleister Black, NXT North American Champion Velveteen Dream and Matt Riddle, which The Undisputed ERA leader won. To ensure that TakeOver: New York’s main event has a definitive outcome, Triple H additionally announced that the match will be contested under 2-out-of-3 Falls rules, meaning the first Superstar to claim two falls will be the victor.

Capturing the NXT Title would truly be a fairytale ending for Gargano, whose tumultuous history with The Blackheart resulted in numerous crises of conscience. Through it all, however, Johnny Wrestling proved to be the valiant hero he always claimed to be. The only hurdle remaining between the beloved Superstar and the NXT Championship — the one title that Gargano has yet to win on the black-and-gold brand — is Cole.

Cole, meanwhile, began 2019 with the bold promise that he and his Undisputed ERA cohorts will all be champions this year. A victory against Gargano at TakeOver: New York — inside the very building where Cole made his shocking NXT debut two years ago — would put The Undisputed ERA back on track to accomplish their goal, as well as in control of the top prize in the land.

Find out who will be crowned the new NXT Champion when Gargano and Cole face off in a 2-out-3 Falls Match at TakeOver: New York, streaming live Friday, April 5, at 7 ET/4 PT, exclusively on the award-winning WWE Network.