AEW star Adam Cole recently appeared on the Superstar Crossover podcast for an interview covering all things pro wrestling. During the discussion, Cole commented on the differences between debuting for NXT and AEW:
“Both were very nerve wracking situations for sure, but I think the biggest difference is when I debuted at NXT, I mean, I knew a handful of people there, but I was going to work with a bunch of people who I didn’t know. So automatically, there’s a little bit more nerves and tension there because you’re curious how you’re going to interact with everybody. I was so curious about how the process worked at NXT, whereas with AEW, same thing. I wasn’t exactly sure how the process worked, but I knew everybody long before I made my debut in AEW. I mean, I got the chance to meet some of the newer guys, but a bunch of guys, The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, all these guys who I consider very, very close personal friends. So the nerves at AEW were more internalized about me and myself wanting the audience to be excited that I was there.”
“It’s actually crazy how similar these situations were because I remember debuting at NXT TakeOver and attacking Drew McIntyre, remember this moment for five minutes before I ran out there and I’m like, God, I hope that the people know who I am and I hope they’re excited. That’s the battle that goes on in your head the whole time, and fortunately, they responded very positively. But then same thing, we’re in a similar situation to AEW, I knew everyone was expecting Bryan Danielson. That was like the big rumor. So I’m like, I hope that they’re like, ‘Oh, cool. We got Adam Cole’, and not like, ‘Shoot, where’s Bryan Danielson? So it’s very similar, but also very, very different I think at the same time, but I am incredibly nervous every time I go out there to do anything.
On meeting MJF before AEW:
“I met MJF when he was very, very early on in his career. From the moment I saw him, and I mean this. This is regardless when I think about him personally. But from the moment I saw him, I knew he was super talented. He was one of those guys who got it very, very early on. He was someone who put just as much time and energy into his promo work as he did as his bell to bell in-ring competition work. So yeah, he was incredibly talented from a very young age. He was definitely one of those guys that when I saw, I was like, oh, this is gonna be a guy I’m gonna be seeing a lot more of.”
On who he feels is the most underrated wrestler today:
“Jay Lethal, without question. When I say underrated, I know Jay works for AEW, so a lot of people could say he’s not necessarily underrated. He’s on television every week. He does amazing things, but sometimes I don’t think people realize how much of a complete package that Jay Lethal is. He is bell to bell, easily top three I’ve ever been in the ring with as far as the guy who can do anything and everything. He’s an amazing babyface. He’s an amazing heel. He’s amazing on the microphone. You could throw him in a tag team match. You could throw him in a 45-minute singles match. He could open the show. He could be in the middle of the card. He could main event and all of it fits. Jay is one of those guys you can absolutely, always, 24/7, depend on. He is one of the best pro wrestlers I’ve ever had the pleasure of sharing the ring with and I feel like not enough people talk about how he’s one of the best of our generation. I think Jay Lethal is unbelievable.”
You can check out the complete interview below:
(h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription)
