Pat McAfee To Wrestle Adam Cole At WWE NXT TakeOver XXX

Former NFL punter makes WWE in-ring debut over SummerSlam weekend.

by Andy H Murray
Adam Cole Pat McAfee
WWE.com

The wackiest year in modern professional wrestling just got wackier with the news that former NXT Champion Adam Cole is to wrestle ex-NFL man Pat McAfee at NXT TakeOver XXX on Saturday 22 August.

An official WWE.com writeup broke the story last night, with McAfee accepting Cole's challenge after Pat had knocked the Undisputed Era's leader out on this Wednesday's episode of NXT.

This oddball feud kicked off last night, when Cole and McAfee staged Adam storming out of Pat's show after the host insulted his height, leading to the former NXT Champion dropping several f-bombs. The duo had appeared to bury the hatchet until this week's NXT, when a heated exchange culminated in the former NFL punter booting Cole in the head. 'The Panama City Playboy' was sent to the shadow realm, McAfee won the night, and the gauntlet was thrown down.

Advertisement

McAfee has been under WWE's umbrella since 2018. This will be his first professional wrestling match ever, though he is a lifelong fan.

Only two over TakeOver XXX matches have been confirmed so far: a six-man ladder match for the vacant North American Championship and Women's Champion Io Shirai vs. Dakota Kai. Keith Lee is expected to defend the NXT Title against Karrion Kross as well.

Advertisement

Watch Next


Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.