Report: Adam Cole DONE With WWE NXT After TakeOver 36

What next for Adam Cole, who just lost to Kyle O'Reilly at NXT TakeOver 36...

by Andy H Murray
Adam Cole
WWE

Adam Cole's pro wrestling future is still hanging in the balance after NXT TakeOver 36.

A new report from Fightful Select states that the former NXT Champion hasn't yet signed a new WWE contract, with the extension he signed prior to SummerSlam 2021 weekend due to expire very soon.

Additionally, PWInsider's Mike Johnson reports that Cole is at least done with NXT after losing to rival Kyle O'Reilly at TakeOver. Last night was the 32-year-old's final appearance on the brand.

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Cole's previous WWE contract expired in July. This happened due to an administrative error, with WWE operating under the assumption that he was contracted through December, though the former NXT Champion inked a short-term deal to work through SummerSlam weekend. He could now become a free agent whenever that expires.

Today's developments will reignite speculation that Cole could be set for a jump to AEW, where he'd join girlfriend Britt Baker and a host of friends from former promotions on a growing roster.

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The prospect of moving to Raw or SmackDown remains on the table too, particularly with Cole seemingly holding productive meetings with Vince McMahon a few weeks ago, though this would require an exemption to cater for the Twitch channel he has vowed not to give up. NXT wrestlers aren't beholden to the divisive third-party platform ban preventing main roster stars from operating on such platforms.

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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.