10 Things We Learned From Attending NXT TakeOver: New York Live

4. Adam Cole Has Huge Babyface Potential

Johnny Gargano You Deserve It
WWE.com

Traditional face/heel alignments are almost useless in NXT. This crowd is going to cheer for the men and women they like the most, regardless of whether or not they're supposed to be good or bad, and Adam Cole is the foremost example of this.

That man is over as f*ck with everyone. That sleazy, charismatic bastard gets incredible responses for his signature spots, and that first "BAY-BAY!" was absolutely thunderous. It continued throughout the match, with Cole's responses rarely matching up to his supposed heel alignment.

'The Panama City Playboy' is going to make an incredible babyface someday. He's playing a great heel character right now, but, through no fault of his own, he isn't getting booed. What that isn't necessarily an issue in this environment, it may become one on the main roster, and yeah, he's cocky, but people already love the bloke now, when he's intended to be an alpha-villain. Imagine the reactions he's going to get when we're supposed to cheer for him.

What this would mean for the rest of the Undisputed Era is unclear, but at least their leader would be fine.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.