10 Best Wrestling Storylines Right Now
4. Friction In The Undisputed Era
NXT is, right now, crafting a long, long-term story - hiding in plain sight how the Undisputed Era will fall. Provided, of course, that they fall in NXT.
As extrapolated by fellow Dadley Boy Michael Hamflett, in an incredibly well thought-out plan, Roderick Strong in several photo shoots, even walk-and-talk angles, is framed on the fringe of the group to visualise his perennial outsider status. He only joined the group, after months of recruitment attempts - and the beat-downs that met his insolence - on his own terms.
By turning on Pete Dunne at TakeOver: New Orleans, he held a certain power over Adam Cole that Cole has always resented. He feels defensive; were it not for Strong fortifying the ranks of the Undisputed Era, he may not have made it to the World Champion realm. He was North American Champion, on the night, but Strong completed the stable - it's difficult to remember UE without him - and perhaps completes Cole himself.
Whenever stable in-fighting threatens to combust, Cole and Strong are at the centre of the acrimony. Whenever there are Year-End Awards to hold, Roderick Strong is pictured on the edge of the frame, glowering at his exclusion - when really, there is no photographer, no award, without the decision he made. Strong is an exceptional, explosive, house afire babyface - and the combustion will result in a spectacular, richly-informed grudge match.
Provided, of course, that they fall out in NXT.