6 Ups & 4 Downs From NXT TakeOver: XXX

3. Pat McAfee's Undisputed Performance

Who saw this coming?

What started out as a rather cringey attempt at blurring the lines has now produced arguably the best celebrity wrestling contest in recent memory.

Going into the bout, a lot was made of former NFL punter Pat McAfee's undeniable athletic prowess. Yet, flipping onto a crash mat and bumping with one of the best the promotion has to offer are two very different things.

Early on, it looked like McAfee would rely more on p*ssing off Cole with his excellent promo work and smack talking than actually engaging with him physically. But, a jaw-dropping senton to the Undisputed Era let everyone know that he was here to work.

Cole was dominated for an unanticipated amount of time from then on out, leaving his ego in the locker room in order to put over the star attraction. But this was still a wrestling match at the end of the day and Cole was still the longest reigning NXT Champion of all time.

Post-inhuman backflip and failed low blow/punt sequence, McAfee had no answer to Cole's Panama City Sunrise and the UE leader picked up the victory.

Take nothing away from McAfee, though, as he looked better than a large number of talents who have been bumping for years in this grudge match. With McAfee only having a few weeks to prepare for this valiant defeat, does that open up the door for a potential rematch further down the line?

A few weeks ago, your writer would think you were nuts to suggest such a thing. After last night... I'll have a 'Cole Sucks' T-Shirt in a large if you have it.