Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including an update on Lance Storm, notes from the Dynamite show last night, news on Adam Cole and MJF and the former Andre Chase, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Tag: Adam Cole
The Young Bucks provide update on Adam Cole
The Young Bucks recently gave fans an update on Adam Cole following his apparent retirement from the ring back at All In 2025 in Texas. Speaking during a recent livestream on the Being The Elite YouTube channel, Matt and Nick revealed that Cole is taking everything “step by step” in terms of his recovery.
“We were just talking to him [Cole] the other day. It’s step by step for him. He’s just trying to take it day by day, but he’s having improvements which is good” Nick Jackson revealed.
“So, keep him in your thoughts and prayers. He’s, gosh the best person I think I’ve ever met in the wrestling business without exaggeration. Number one, he’s the best” Matt Jackson then added.
It is not currently known if Cole will ever be able to get back in the ring again, but he does appear to be somewhat recovering from severe post-concussion syndrome and other related health issues.
FAQ and Context
Will Adam Cole wrestle again?
Nothing has been said either way. Matt and Nick framed the update as a personal one rather than a wrestling one, so it was closer to checking in on a friend than teasing a comeback.
What’s Cole’s injury history?
Cole has dealt with a string of serious issues across his AEW run, including concussions and an ankle injury sustained at Forbidden Door 2023.
AEW gaming podcast ‘on hold’ until further notice
All Elite Arcade, AEW’s gaming podcast from Evil Uno & Adam Cole, is on hold “until further notice.”
The podcast has not released a new episode since the end of April, and Evil Uno sent out an update today for fans wondering where the show has been. Evil Uno said they have been told to put all AEW Games content on hold for the moment. A date for when the show will return was not provided.
“Since it’s been a month of silence, we were told to put all AEWGames content on hold for the time being,” Evil Uno posted on social media.
“I miss doing the All Elite Arcade podcast as much as you miss listening to it, but it is in a holding pattern until further notice. I hope you all understand.”
All Elite Arcade features “weekly gaming adventures, news, reviews, and lively discussions with special guests from the gaming and wrestling worlds.” The show is presented in partnership with TNT/TBS and sponsored by the trading card company Upper Deck.
Future of AEW podcasts —
The AEW Unrestricted podcast, which was hosted by Aubrey Edwards & Will Washington and centered on interviews with AEW talent, wrapped up in March after producing more than 300 episodes. On the last show, Edwards & Washington promised that there would be more podcast content coming from AEW. The MyAEW website has a banner saying that an AEW podcast network is coming soon, but there aren’t any details aside from that.
Matt Jackson: ‘I love Adam Cole so much,’ says he’s getting better every day
Matt Jackson indicated that former TNT Champion Adam Cole has been making positive strides in his quest to get healthy.
On the latest episode of Being The Elite, Matt Jackson responded to a fan’s tweet asking if there was an update on Cole’s health.
“I love Adam Cole so much. He is the sweetest man I think I’ve ever met. Not in the business, but in life. And I think every day he’s improving and he’s getting better,” he said. “And I think he’s one of the most talented, gifted, charismatic wrestlers that ever was and a much better human being. Shout out to Adam Cole. We all talk about you all the time in the locker room.”
Brandon Cutler and Matt’s brother Nick Jackson sent Cole their well wishes too.
Cole was forced to vacate the TNT Championship in July 2025 after suffering a concussion among other undisclosed health issues. Shortly after he announced he was stepping away from in-ring competition indefinitely.
AEW Worlds End media scrum notes: Tony Khan on Adam Cole status, Jon Moxley win
Tony Khan and other AEW stars spoke to the media following Worlds End.
Khan, Kris Statlander, and members of the Conglomeration spoke to press following Saturday’s pay-per-view in Chicago. Here are the highlights:
Kris Statlander
- She was asked about spitting in Hayter’s face. Statlander said her sob story is over, she isn’t an underdog. Her moment is now, she is the champion.
- When asked about new fans tuning into AEW, she said she would like new fans to know that wrestling wasn’t a passion her whole life, but now it has become her passion. It’s taken over her life in a good way. Never too late to follow your dreams and be the best version of yourself.
The Conglomeration
- When Orange Cassidy was asked about teaming up with Toni Storm again, he said “God willing.”
- The Babes of Wrath came in. Harley Cameron performed a song called “The Babes of Wrath.”
- Cameron says she knows her background is in entertainment but her heart is in wrestling, she’s passionate and motivated. Wrestling is where she wants to grow and thanked Tony Khan for giving her the opportunity.
- Regarding her match with Mercedes, Willow says last time she came up short, but now they’ll both show up well studied and will have fire in their bellies on Wednesday.
Tony Khan
- Khan thought Christmas Collision was maybe “the best Collision ever.”
- Renee asked Tony at one point if he knows any good dentists, referencing Jon Moxley splitting his tooth in half during the Continental Classic semifinal match.
- Khan continued to push AEW’s achievements in this year’s Sports Illustrated awards, spending a lot of time going over each award AEW won.
- Khan thought Moxley/Fletcher may have been the best Continental Classic match.
- When asked about Adam Cole’s status and his hope to be in AEW more next year, Tony Khan says there was no pressure for him to return, he’s just happy to hear Adam Cole and for fans to see him. He wants Adam Cole in AEW, but has no health update.
- Khan was asked if he had plans set for the future, primarily in 2027 when the company would need to peak before their next television deal. Tony Khan generally talked about events upcoming up, particularly their final show of 2025, before saying they have plans for years to come.
- Based on early numbers, Worlds End is trending “incredibly well.”
- He was asked about his reaction to Jon Moxley being cheered for his AEW Continental Clasic win after being a heel for most of the year. Khan said he wasn’t surprised, as he’s one of the greatest wrestlers ever. People have always liked Jon Moxley even if he did terrible things. When you eliminate some of the outside interference and other elements that drove fans against the Death Riders and eliminate the shortcuts, Moxley is still a great wrestler. He expected the crowd to react that way as he’s a popular star.
- Regarding Maya World and Hyan signing with AEW, Khan said they’ve been doing a fantastic job. They’ve delivered time and time again, they’ve been getting more competitive, they bring something great to the roster.
Adam Cole: ‘Hopefully, you’ll be seeing a lot more of me in 2026’
Adam Cole is hoping AEW fans will see more of him in the new year.
During the Worlds End Zero Hour event, the former TNT Champion thanked fans for their support over the last few months.
“Hopefully, you’ll be seeing a lot more of me in 2026,” he said.
He went on to talk about the two Continental Classic semifinal matches set for Worlds End, which includes Kyle Fletcher taking on Jon Moxley and Konosuke Takeshita facing Kazuchika Okada.
Cole has been out of action since July, dealing with a concussion that took place just days before he was scheduled to defend the TNT Championship at All In. In November, Bryan Alvarez reported that Cole is “still having a lot of problems” and is unable to fly.
“The day that it happened, Adam Cole was considering going out and just retiring. And he was essentially talked out of it because you just never know but I think the feeling is that he may not ever wrestle again. And it’s a strong feeling in that direction,” Alvarez said.
Tony Khan in an interview interview said that “it would have to be the right situation” in order for Cole to wrestle again.
Adam Cole shows off new arcade machine amid ‘challenging’ year
It’s been a tough year for Adam Cole, but he recently received something that boosted his spirits.
The AEW star made an Instagram post this week showing off a custom arcade machine that he received from Phantom Arcades. The machine, which has a 48-inch screen, was customized by Blackmass Design to feature some of Cole’s favorite video game characters. Cole said it was an absolute joy to work with them on creating this — and he’ll cherish it for the rest of his life.
The 36-year-old Cole is a huge video game fan and has a popular Twitch channel named “TheCHUGS.” Whether he will ever be able to wrestle again is in question after Cole was forced out of action this summer due to a concussion. He previously battled concussion issues in 2022 that also threatened to end his career.
“It’s been a challenging time for me, this past year. And let me tell you, this made my entire year,” Cole said while showing off the arcade machine. “I have quite a few collectibles when it comes to video games, and this is easily my pride and joy.”
Cole (real name Austin Jenkins) was part of the voice cast for “Curiosity: A Cat Climbing Game,” which launched on Steam and Steam Deck in October.
Adam Cole update: There is concern he may never wrestle again
There is concern that Adam Cole may never wrestle again.
Tony Khan addressed there always being a role available in AEW for Cole even if he’s not able to return to the ring during a recent interview with Ariel Helwani. On Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez discussed Khan’s comments and provided an update on Cole.
Alvarez said:
“It’s not great. He’s still having a lot of problems. And as you can hear from the interview (Khan on Helwani), he’s still not flying, which is bad.”
“The day that it happened, Adam Cole was considering going out and just retiring. And he was essentially talked out of it because you just never know but I think the feeling is that he may not ever wrestle again. And it’s a strong feeling in that direction.”
“He’s still dealing with a lot of different things. All the best to him. I think what’s most important is his brain and his head. Wrestling is wrestling but my guess is he’s probably done even though it has not been made official. But we’ll wait and see.”
Cole suffered a concussion on the July 10 taping of AEW Collision, which was the go-home show for AEW All In: Texas. Cole was scheduled to defend the TNT Championship against Kyle Fletcher on the pay-per-view but Tony Khan announced that afternoon that he was not medically cleared. Cole then cut a promo on the show, saying he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to discuss retirement.
Cole was the 2010 Rookie of the Year in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards and his 2019 rivalry with Johnny Gargano won Feud of the Year that year as well.
The full episode of Wrestling Observer Live is available here and below:
Tony Khan feels ‘it would have to be the right situation’ for Adam Cole to wrestle again
During a Tuesday interview, AEW head Tony Khan didn’t sound confident when talking about Adam Cole resuming his in-ring career anytime soon.
Khan was asked by Ariel Helwani about Cole’s status as he’s been out since July with a concussion suffered at the Collision held the Thursday prior to the July 12 All In: Texas pay-per-view.
“I think it would have to be the right situation for Adam to wrestle again. I think it’s at least possible we would keep Adam as part of the family,” Khan said. “I want to get to where he feels good about traveling and doing things every week again. I have been open with him that when he’s ready, there’s always a role in AEW for him.”
Prior to the concussion, Khan said he was excited about what Cole had done in 2025 after returning from a lengthy injury absence following his severe ankle injury which Khan said “could have been career-ending.” He was glad Cole admitted to him that “he wasn’t feeling good about wrestling anymore” when it came to pulling out of All In: Texas.
While he didn’t shut the door on Cole returning, everyone involved would have to be comfortable with the situation.
“If he ever did want to wrestle again and it was the right situation and everyone could wrap their heads around it, so to speak, I think it could make a lot of sense,” Khan said, adding that when it comes to injuries, he always wants to evaluate whether it makes sense and the outcome would be safe for everyone involved.
Last month, Cole was announced as part of the voice cast for the video game “Curiosity” from DarkBear Studios.
Kyle O’Reilly ‘really proud’ of Adam Cole for taking care of his health
Kyle O’Reilly is proud of his friend Adam Cole for prioritizing his health and taking the time to get better.
Cole was scheduled for a TNT Championship defense against Kyle Fletcher at AEW All In: Texas this summer before the match was canceled at the last minute due to Cole suffering a concussion. At the pay-per-view, Cole made an appearance and gave an emotional address to fans, telling them he loves them and will be gone for a while.
This wasn’t the first concussion for Cole, who also battled concussion issues in 2022 that threatened his career. It remains to be seen when he’ll be able to return.
O’Reilly appeared on AEW Unrestricted this week and discussed how much he loves working with Cole. It’s sad that Cole is not able to compete right now, but O’Reilly is proud of him for how he’s handled the injury.
“It’s so natural and just so fun and just — we just have so much love for each other,” O’Reilly said. “It’s unfortunate that it had to sort of, not end the way it did because nothing’s ever over, but it’s just such a sad unfortunate circumstance what happened at All In. But I’m just really proud of Adam for making that call and for being the stand-up guy that he is and for taking his health into account and for starting that process to getting well again. Like, it’s huge. I’m just forever proud of him, man.”
Being friends with Cole has not only helped O’Reilly in his career, it’s made him a better human being.
“I would not have any career without Adam Cole,” O’Reilly said. “The man I am, let alone the wrestler I am today, [is] because of Adam Cole. So I’m eternally forever grateful for him and for everything he’s done for me, my career.”
O’Reilly and Cole have been linked together as partners and opponents throughout their time in ROH, NXT, and AEW. Their AEW faction with Roderick Strong is named Paragon.
Daily Update: Stephanie Vaquer, Adam Cole, ROH & TNA TV
Daily Update
Latest News
- Report: Former WWE Champion re-signed with company earlier this year
- Raven discusses ‘Nevermore: The Raven Effect’ documentary
- AEW Collision ratings down with earlier start time
- Triple H praises work ethic of WWE Champion Cody Rhodes
- Mercedes Mone’s opponent announced for indie show in Denmark
- NXT Tag Team titles to be defended at TNA Bound for Glory
- Roman Reigns on studying other WWE stars: ‘You take pages from people’s playbooks’
- WWE re-signs wrestler after contract expiration
- AEW All In Texas actual attendance revealed, state reimbursement reduced
- AEW star Jon Moxley announced for indie show
Latest Audio
- WOL: TNA vs. NXT vs. AEW, wrestling ring construction, Santos
- WOR: AEW vs. NXT head-to-head, Escobar, ratings doom
- JNPO: Todd Grisham on his WWE past, UFC tenure & boxing’s future
- DragonKingKarl: Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame ballot talk
- B&V: TNA Impact 20 years ago this week, plus Granny!
Latest YouTube Video
This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter
The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is up on the site:
- Updates on Crown Jewel and WrestleDream, interest level, lineups and what could be added
- Notes on Tuesday’s AEW/NXT head-to-head battle
- Odds regarding upcoming big matches
- Tokyo Dome ticket sales and notes from Hiroshi Tanahashi and Aaron Wolf
- NXT No Mercy coverage
- New Japan Destruction in Kobe notes
- CMLL Noche de Campeones notes
- Fuerza Guerrera retires with a look back at his career
- Television ratings are crazy this week and what is the change
- One of the most impressive attendance streaks in history has ended
- CMLL’s focus on women’s wrestling in October
- Tessa Blanchard back in CMLL
- AAA goes head-to-head with CMLL featuring AEW and WWE stars on each show
- Saya Kamitani becomes double champion
- Go Shiozaki leaves NOAH
- King of Pro Wrestling show finalized
- Mistico vs. Bandido singles match this past week
- Bret Hart talks his career and we look back at what he said
- New wrestling documentaries
- European star may have cost himself his career with full details as to what happened
- MLW makes comment on WWE business on its TV show
- Upcoming TNA TV news
- Thoughts on Andrade’s return to AEW and what happened
- History of pro wrestling on the SuperStation
- Zuffa Boxing TV deal and notes on the promotion
- Dana White on 60 Minutes coverage
- How UFC went from almost dying to a $15 billion business, the moves it made and how Vince McMahon killed one of its biggest TV deals
- What happened with Wanderlei Silva’s boxing match after it was over
- Notes on stockholder lawsuit against TKO
- WWE top star to take time off for major movie role
- WWE headed to Japan for big shows
- Injury updates
- Updates on Edris Enofe and Jazmyn Nyx leaving the company
This Week’s Back Issue
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Wednesday Update
WWE
- WWE uploaded the complete Hardy Boyz vs. DarkState match from NXT last night, which saw Matt & Jeff Hardy get the victory to become the new NXT Tag Team Champions. They will be defending both the NXT & TNA Tag Team titles against The Dudleys in a tables match at TNA Bound for Glory this Sunday.
- PWInsider reported that the word at NXT last night was that WWE was looking to have TJP serve as a guest coach at the Performance Center later this month.
- TKO will announce its third quarter financial results on Wednesday, November 5:
- TKO Group Holdings, Inc., a premium sports and entertainment company, will release its third quarter 2025 results after market hours on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. The live teleconference to discuss these results and provide a business update is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT the same day.
- Xavier Woods confirmed that he has signed a new WWE contract: “How do yall know this stuff? I didnt say anything! But yes. You’re gonna see my sexy face for a while longer even though you dont deserve it. 22 years in the game and about to make the next bit even better than the rest. @WWE”
- On ESPN’s Ahora o Nunca, Stephanie Vaquer reflected on winning the Women’s World Championship at Wrestlepalooza:
- It was the best [match] of my career so far, and the result of the match was the dream of my life.
- I’m proud because it wasn’t just a match for the most important championship, it was against one of the best in the world, Iyo Sky, someone I’ve admired for many years. So, the fact that I could compete for this title with her proved in the ring why we are both among the best in the world right now.
- It was very emotional to reach gorilla after the match and have everyone applaud and congratulate me, not just the producers and coaches, but the people I work with every day. Someone as important as Triple H, who for me is not only my boss but someone I’ve admired for a long time, not only as a wrestler but also as a businessman now in charge of the WWE family.
- The Miz is celebrating his 45th birthday today. On Instagram, John Cena gave a nod to his old rival by posting a photo of Miz.
- WWE Vault put together a compilation video on the story of Raven’s Flock in WCW from 1997-1998.
Other Wrestling
- On a new episode of her Close Up interview show, Renee Paquette spoke with AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander.
- Adam Cole is part of the voice cast for the new video game “Curiosity” from DarkBear Studios that launched on Steam and Steam Deck starting today. Here is how the game is described:
- In Curiosity, players embody a small but determined cat on a perilous climb home. Every leap requires precision, patience, and persistence: one mistake can send you tumbling down. With nine lives to spare (and consequences for losing them all), players must master every jump, uncover mysterious lore, and survive a journey that’s as emotional as it is demanding.
- Drawing inspiration from titles like Only Up and Getting Over It, Curiosity offers a modern evolution of the genre: combining the viral tension of vertical climbing games with a rich story; a hand-crafted world, and traditional platforming elements like secrets, collectibles, checkpoints, and even potential skips for the most daring players.
- Bandido vs. Hechicero for the ROH World Championship is set to air on this Thursday’s episode of ROH TV. The match is from a CMLL event that took place on October 3 and is a rematch of their highly praised Death Before Dishonor title bout.
- Sareee defending the IWGP Women’s Championship against Alex Windsor is among the other matches airing on Thursday’s ROH TV.
- Here is the lineup for Thursday’s Bound for Glory go-home edition of TNA Impact:
- TNA World Champion Trick Williams kicks off the show ahead of his Bound for Glory title defense against Mike Santana
- No DQ match: Joe Hendry vs. Eric Young
- Matt Cardona vs. Ryan Nemeth
- Mustafa Ali vs. JDC
- Bound for Glory contract signing with TNA Knockouts World Champion Kelani Jordan and Indi Hartwell
- On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Scarlett Bordeaux said she felt WWE was “misogynistic” in how they handled her contract situation by saying that they would get to her new deal once Karrion Kross had sorted his contract out:
- One of the last questions before the 24-hour notice was given, [Kross] asked where I stood in all these contract negotiations. And they said, ‘We’ll get to her once we’re done with you,’ which I took as them using me as leverage against him. I do feel like if he agreed within the 24 hours that they would have offered me something, would it have been the same amount as it was before? Would it have been less? I don’t know. But all in all, it felt like a massive, massive red flag, and I did feel like it did come off a bit misogynistic, because originally I was hired before [Kross], and the idea that I have no value without him, and it’s only determined by whether or not he signs, that came off as very misogynistic to me.
- SoCal Val interviewed Velvet Sky for WrestlingNewsCo.
Tony Khan on AEW All In ‘through the roof’ PPV buys, Adam Cole & Michael Oku updates
Regardless of what happens health-wise, Tony Khan wants to remain in the Adam Cole business.
The AEW & Ring of Honor head did a mini-media blitz with several Chicago-based media outlets ahead of his three-week residency at the city’s Aragon Ballroom, including the Good Karma Wrestling podcast and Case Lowe of Q101.
Here’s some of the key points from those talks:
Adam Cole update
Asked by GKW about Cole’s health situation, Khan said he disagreed with Cole saying in his All In promo that he let people down. Khan said if Cole could have been out there, he would have been. Khan said he made the call early Saturday morning after the Ring of Honor Supercard of Honor show wrapped and that is was “a hard conversation” but he was glad Cole was honest with him.
“Even though we are all sad we don’t get to see Adam Cole wrestle for a while, hopefully he will be able to return in some capacity. But definitely, he needs time off after talking to him,” Khan said.
AEW All In PPV buys update
In talking to Lowe, Khan said that for last Saturday’s All In pay-per-view, AEW experienced their “best week ever” on Amazon Prime in part due to the $10 Prime Video credit promotion they ran. At this point, he only has digital buys which he said were “through the roof” and expects both cable & satellite numbers to follow suit.
Of note, the AEW/Amazon relationship with PPV buys began with March’s Revolution followed by Triller no longer becoming a live PPV purchasing option for U.S. fans starting with May’s Double or Nothing.
On signing CMLL talent
Lowe asked Khan about the CMLL relationship and whether he feels he might need to sign CMLL wrestlers to more exclusive deals like WWE is doing with AAA.
Khan made it a point to say that he “would never go behind CMLL’s back and take a wrestler from them” and that if he did something, it would be in coordination with CMLL and more “collaborative.” He used his arrangement with Konosuke Takeshita as an example where AEW is his primary obligation but where he is able to compete in Japan with both NJPW and DDT.
The next AEW PPV in Chicago
On AEW returning to Chicago with a pay-per-view, Khan told Lowe that “it may be sooner than you think.” AEW has yet to announce locations for WrestleDream, Full Gear or Worlds End as of now.
Michael Oku’s future
The UK standout appeared on last weekend’s Supercard of Honor show against Hechicero with his match taped last week against Jay Lethal set to air soon. That came after he made his ROH promotional debut this past April in a loss to Nick Wayne.
Asked by GKW about Oku’s future with ROH or AEW, Khan said “We will have Michael Oku back very soon” before plugging next month’s Forbidden Door from London, England. AEW will be in Glasgow, Scotland, for the go-home editions of both Dynamite and Collision so Khan’s comment could be a nod toward him being part of the action that week.
Being more of a “play caller”
Khan talked with Lowe about the company’s creative resurgence in 2025, something he has attributed to him being more involved and taking less of a “committee of play callers” approach as he said he had done in 2020 and 2021.
Khan attributed the success to everyone working well together and him being “more hands-on as a play caller.” He said things have been very positive with “the greatest group of wrestlers in the world and the best fans.”
WOR: Roman Reigns returns to WWE RAW, Seth Rollins & Adam Cole updates
Dave Meltzer and I, Garrett Gonzales, subbing for Bryan Alvarez tonight, are back to recap WWE RAW which featured the return of Roman Reigns and also set up three more matches for SummerSlam.
Here were some of the other things we discussed:
- Updates on Seth Rollins and Adam Cole
- WWE SmackDown rating for the return to two hours show
- WWE NXT & AEW Forbidden Door
- Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano Netflix audience
- SummerSlam card so far
Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube
Adam Cole suffered concussion in AEW Collision match
The injury Adam Cole suffered in his AEW Collision match this past Thursday that knocked him out of Saturday’s All In has been confirmed to be a concussion.
Fightful first reported the news with our Bryan Alvarez confirming.
Alvarez had previously reported that Cole suffered the previously undisclosed injury in the aforementioned trios bout on a Kyle Fletcher lariat. Cole was set to defend the TNT title against Fletcher Saturday, but Tony Khan announced on Saturday that he was not medically cleared to compete.
An emotional Cole, who was out for nearly nine months from June 2022 through March 2023 due to a concussion suffered at Forbidden Door, addressed the live crowd Saturday and said he wasn’t in the headspace to think about retirement but wanted to thank the fans in case this was goodbye.
In the post-event press conference, Khan said Cole vs. Fletcher was still planned as of Friday night, but the two talked late Friday night and then again Saturday morning as Cole wasn’t feeling well. Khan then made the call to pull him.
The severity of the concussion is unknown and there’s no timetable for his return.
Britt Baker, Johnny Gargano, others react to Adam Cole’s announcement
Following Adam Cole’s announcement at AEW All In on Saturday, numerous people from around the wrestling world have posted tributes online.
Tony Khan revealed shortly before the show began that Cole was not cleared to perform and that the TNT Championship was vacated, though he didn’t specify what was preventing Cole from being cleared. Cole then came out before the TNT title match and told the fans he would be “gone for a while.” He also said he wasn’t in the right head space to think about retirement, leading to speculation that his in-ring career could be over.
After Cole’s announcement, Britt Baker, Johnny Gargano, Aleister Black, and several others reacted online:
Johnny Gargano wrote:
“I’ve known @adamcolepro for over 15 years at this point. We were already good friends from our time on the indies, but even more so during our time in NXT. You’d be hard pressed to find someone I spent more time with on a daily basis. We’d go to the Performance Center, sit and watch wrestling with Shawn, eat lunch, then work out with @fla_hayes, and drive to the local Florida coconut shows together on the weekends. We’d always talk about getting a chance to work together on a big stage on those drives. We got that chance when we main evented TakeOver: New York. To my knowledge.. one of the highest grossing NXT events of all time. That night was already incredibly special for me but the fact I got to share it with one of my best friends made that moment mean even more. Nothing but love and well wishes to not just one of my favorite opponents but favorite human beings.”
“Adam Cole Forever,” wrote Renee Paquette.
Christopher Daniels wrote, “ADAM COLE I can’t express how much I love and respect this man. I hope he recovers and returns to continue fulfilling his dream here at AEW.”
“Adam Cole is an incredible Professional wrestler and an inspiration to all Independent wrestlers everywhere. In 2021 AEW had a bus ride going from Kansas City to St. Louis and he talked to me for 2 hours straight. Giving me advice, and chatting with me about the business. I genuinely hope to see him in a wrestling ring again some day,” wrote Alan Angels.
“One of the highlights of my time at WWE was getting to work with Adam Cole on a weekly basis. For 3+ years, I got to see him flourish and excel in every facet of the pro wrestling game. And what a magnificent human being,” wrote Dewey Foley.
Britt Baker, Cole’s former longterm partner, posted an image of a broken heart.
Aleister Black also posted to his Instagram Stories about the news, writing:
“To one of my favorite opponents and people in wrestling @adamcolepro. Thank you, for all of what you did in and outside of the ring for me.”
