Adam Cole had a memorable NXT debut, entering the brand at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III by attacking new NXT Champion Drew McIntyre and aligning with Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly.
Cole made his way to the ring in dress shoes and jeans, and it nearly ended in a Shockmaster-like disaster.
"I am so glad you've brought this up because I don't know if I've ever told this story before," Cole recalled while speaking on Ringer Wrestling Worldwide. "Huge night for me. I know I'm going to be involve in this major angle, kicking Drew McIntyre. I'm nervous. I'm excited. The adrenaline going through my body in that moment was wild. I remember coming down in jeans and dress shoes, and not even really thinking about it. There are so much other stuff going through my mind. As I'm going down and the crowd is reacting, I feel my adrenaline building. My legs are getting a little jello-y, my hands are tingling. I'm so excited. When I go to get into the ring, I do almost fall. The camera didn't catch it. I'm so glad I didn't fall. Could you imagine? Debut, just fall on my face, how wild that would have been. I was so excited that when I went to go in and run with dress shoes and jeans, I almost lose my balance but I caught myself, thank goodness. At that point, I was like, 'Never again am I going to be wearing jeans and dress shoes.' I've done quite a few run ins in jeans, but I at least have to wear comfy shoes or something with a little more grip. That was terrifying. That could have ended really poorly."
Fortunately, Cole did not slip and would go on to be one of the top stars in NXT.
Cole is now with AEW and the reigning AEW TNT Championship, capturing the title from Daniel Garcia at AEW Dynasty.
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