We cut to a pre-recorded video from The Undisputed Era – NXT Champion Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, and NXT Tag Team Champions Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly. Cole say the prophecy will be fulfilled when NXT goes live on the USA Network as Strong will take the NXT North American Title from The Velveteen Dream, which will bring all the gold home to them. Strong talks more about Dream and the title shot. Cole says when they have all the gold, no one on the planet will be able to stop them, and that’s not a threat or a promise, that is undisputed. They pose together to end the segment.

– We get video packages for NXT on the USA Network, and the weekly NXT UK series. NXT goes off the air.

Next week, NXT Champion Adam Cole will be on television and in Full Sail for the first time since becoming Champion.

Match Number Five: NXT Men’s Championship: Johnny Gargano versus Adam Cole

They lock up and go around the ring until Gargano gives a clean break. Gargano with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Gargano goes for a head lock but Cole escapes and hits a shoudler tackle. Gargano with a sunset flip but Cole moves. Cole misses a Shining Wizard and both men have a staredown. Cole goes to the floor. Cole returns to the ring and they lock up. Gargano goes for a chin lock but Cole with a wrist lock. Gargano with a reversal and he takes Cole to the mat. Cole traps the arms and he works on the head with a chin lock. Gargano with a crucifix for a near fall. Cole with a forearm.

Gargano with a forearm and they go back and forth. Cole with a kick but the forearms resume. Cole with kicks and an Irish whip but Gargano floats over. Gargano with a spike rana and Cole goes to the floor. Gargano goes to the apron and he avoids Cole. Cole misses a bicycle kick and Gargano misses a kick. Gargano with a cannonball off the apron. Cole misses a move to the floor and Gargano with a kick to the arm from the apron followed by a double stomp onto the arm. Gargano slams the arm into the apron. Gargano works on the shoulder and he hits a leg drop on the arm.

Gargano gets a near fall. Gargano with a cloverleaf with the arm in a hammer lock using the leg. Gargano with a splash onto the arm. Cole goes to the turnbuckles and Gargano follows. Cole escapes and hits a super kick to the leg and Gargano falls to the mat. Cole kicks Gargano in the leg. Cole with a KneeDT to Gargano. Cole follows with a knee bar to add more pressure to the leg. Gargano tries to kick Cole away. Cole with a double sledge and he kicks Johnny. Gargano with forearms. Cole with a kick to the knee and Cole goes to the turnbuckles for a missile drop kick to the knee.

Cole with a dragon screw leg whip to Gargano as he continues to work on the leg. Cole sends Gargano into the turnbuckles and puts the leg in the ropes and Cole kicks the leg. Gargano with punches but Cole with a leg trip and he goes for a figure four leg lock but Gargano counters with an inside cradle for a near fall. Cole goes to the turnbuckles and comes off but Gargano catches Cole and hits a sit out power bomb, but Gargano could not capitalize.

Cole with a forearm and Gargano fires back. They continue the exchange. Gargano with clotheslines and an overhead belly-to-belly throw. Gargano with a rollup and round kick. Gargano with an enzuigiri in the corner and Gargano with a tornado Flatliner for a near fall. Gargano with a slingshot spear for a near fall. Gargano with a chop and he puts Cole on the turnbuckles. Gargano goes to the turnbuckles for a superplex but Cole stops him and slams Gargano’s head into the turnbuckles. Cole sets for a sunset flip power bomb but Gargano holds on to the ropes. Gargano comes off the turnbuckles but Cole with a lungblower for a near fall.

Cole sets for a suplex but Gargano with a knee to escape. Cole has Gargano on his shoulders but Gargano gets to his feet. Gargano with a kick but Cole with an enzuigiri. Cole with a burning hammer facebuster for a near fall. Cole goes to the turnbuckles and Gargano grabs the leg to stop Cole. Cole with forearms to the back. Cole misses a move from the turnbuckles. Gargano with a clothesline and Cole with a clothesline. Gargano and Cole with super kicks and Cole comes off the turnbuckles into a super kick. Cole rolls to the floor and so does Gargano.

Cole and Gargano both hit super kicks on the floor and both men are down. Both men struggle to get back into the ring but they beat the count. Gargano with a slingshot DDT for a near fall. Gargano goes for a full nelson and he kicks Cole in the arm. Cole goes for a clip but Gargano moves. Gargano with a double stomp. Gargano sets for a super kick but Cole rolls to the floor. Gargano goes to the apron and Cole kicks Gargano’s leg. Cole with a brainbuster shoulder breaker on the floor followed by one in the ring for a near fall.

Cole goes to the turnbuckles again and he sets for a Panama City Destroyer but Gargano blocks it. Gargano sets Cole shoudler first into the mat and Gargano with a La Mistica into the GargaNo Escape. Cole grabs the leg and he goes for a figure four leg lock and applies it. Cole gets a near fall when Gargano’s shoulders fall to the mat. Gargano reverses the hold and Cole gets to the ropes to force a break of the hold. Cole goes for the knee but Gargano avoids it and he punches Cole. Cole with punches and he sends the knee into the mat. Cole slams the exposed knee into the mat and then continues to stomp on the knee.

Cole is kicked to the floor by Gargano on a figure four attempt. Gargano with a hanging DDT in the ropes and Cole falls to the floor. Gargano sets for a suicide dive but he catches the ropes and is met with a super kick. Cole hits the Panama City Destroyer off the apron to the floor. Cole pulls Gargano back into the ring and Gargano kicks out. Cole tells Johnny it is over. Cole sets for the Last Shot and Gargano ducks it and Gargano goes for the GargaNo Escape but Cole applies the GargaNo Escape on Gargano.

Gargano escapes and hits Last Shot on Cole for a near fall. Cole and Gargano with forearms. Cole with a series of kicks but Gargano with a clothesline that flips Cole. Cole with a super kick but Gargano with a super kick and reverse rana. Cole with Last Shot for a near fall. Cole goes to the floor and he looks under the ring and gets a chair. The referee tells Cole he cannot do that. The referee takes the chair and we have a tug of wawr situation and Gargano with a suicide dive that hits the referee.

Cole misses Gargano with the chair and Gargano super kicks the chair into Cole and they return to the ring but there is no referee. Gargano checks on the referee and Cole signals to the back and Gargano gets the chair.Gargano gets back to the apron and Cole with a piledriver in the ropes for a near fall. Cole picks up Gargano and Cole goes for Last Shot but Gargano falls to the mat. Gargano with GargaNo Escape and Cole fights through the pain. Cole tries to get to the ropes and Gargano rolls Cole back into the center of the ring. Cole with elbows to the knee. Cole with a thrust kick to the knee and a thrust kick to the head.

Cole goes for the Panama City Destroyer but Gargano drops down for a near fall. Cole hits the Panama City Destroyer followed by Last Shot for the three count.

Winner: Adam Cole (new Champion)

After the match, The Undisputed Era pick up the new NXT Men’s Champion as we see Johnny Gargano against the ring steps.

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The Undisputed Era makes their way to the ring.

Adam Cole says they have heard the whispers in the locker room. All of you morons are probably wondering if the rumors are true. The Undisputed Era is going nowhere. They are stronger than they have ever been and they are on the same page. This is a message to everyone in the locker room. Your contract may say NXT Superstar, but we own you. We will not stop until we run this place. We will continue to take what we want, when we want. We will soon be draped in championship gold. That begins in just two weeks at Takeover. Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish will regain the Tag titles. Adam says he will take the NXT Championship from Johnny Gargano.

NXT Men’s Champion Johnny Gargano interrupts and makes his way to the stage.

Johnny says he will save Adam some time. If you want him to put his title on the line, then he will do it. Johnny wants Adam to tell the truth. He wants Adam to admit that he cannot beat Johnny on his own.

Adam wants a time out and he asks what kind of an idiot is Johnny. Adam reminds Johnny he won the first fall.

Johnny says you keep reminding him about that, but do you understand how math works? You didn’t shock the school system. Math is hard. Johnny says he will explain it for Adam very slowly. In a two out of three falls match, you need to win TWO falls. You only won ONE fall. Johnny says he won TWO falls. That makes him the NXT Champion. Do you understand?

Adam tells Johnny to shut up. He says you can be as condescending as you want, but it eats you alive that he pinned Johnny by himself in New York. In two weeks, Adam Cole is going to do it again. As far as tonight is concerned, they are celebrating. . .

Matt Riddle comes from behind and he goes after The Undisputed Era. They work over Riddle but Gargano makes his way to the ring and Riddle kicks Strong to the floor and Gargano takes care of Cole.

Referees come to the ring to separate everyone.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Three: Matt Riddle and Johnny Gargano versus Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish

Kyle and Johnny start things off. They lock up and Gargano with a wrist lock. Kyle with a drop toe hold but Johnny with a front face lock and he gets a cover but Kyle keeps his shoulders off the mat. Bobby has some words for Kyle. They go for a test of strength and Kyle with a body scissors and then he applies a triangle but Gargano escapes and goes for the GargaNo Escape. Kyle is able to escape the hold. Gargano with arm drags but Kyle with a kick and front face lock. Fish tags in and he snap mares Johnny and applies a reverse chin lock. Fish with a punch and he sends Gargano to the mat but Riddle avoids a punch from Fish.

Kyle misses a knee off the apron on Riddle and Riddle with a kick. Fish hits Riddle. Gargano with a kick to Fish’s head from the apron. Riddle wants to tag in and Gargano with a front face lock and he makes the tag. Riddle with palm strikes to Fish while Gargano holds him. Riddle with kicks in the corner. Riddle with a forearm to knock Kyle off. Riddle with a few runing forearms to Fish followed by an exploder. Riddle with a kick to Kyle to get him out of the ring. Fish with forearms and a kick. Riddle with a gutwrench suplex and he rolls through and hits a second one. Riddle holds on and rolls through for a third one, but he decides to let Fish go when he sees Kyle try to interfere so Riddle with a gutwrench suplex. Fish with a running back elbow to stop Riddle.

Kyle tags in and he kicks and punches Riddle in the ribs. Kyle with a knee to the head. Fish tags in and kicks Riddle and punches him in the ribs to work on the taped up body parts. Fish sends Riddle into the turnbuckles and Kyle tags in and hits a running forearm. Kyle with a waist lock take down and Kyle with knees to the ribs as well as elbows. Kyle with a sliding knee to the ribs for a near fall. Fish tags in and they go for a double suplex and hit it. Fish gets a near fall. Fish with a forearm to the abdomen. Riddle with punches but Fish with knees. Fish with a snap mare and Fish with a double jump slingshot senton for a near fall.

Fish with knees and Kyle tags in. Kyle with a knee to Riddle followed by a snap mare and a seated abdominal stretch. Kyle with a rollup for a near fall. Riddle with stirkes but Kyle blocks a kick. Kyle escapes a power bomb attempt and Kyle with a guillotine. Riddle with a knee. Gargano and Fish tag in and Gargano with a kick and clotheslines. Gargano with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Gargano chops Kyle and Fish and then Gargano with a bulldog and clothesline combination on Fish and O’Reilly. Johnny with a tornado DDT for a near fall. Gargano punches Kyle on the apron. Fish with a back heel kick and Kyle tags in and they hit Chasing the Dragon for a near fall.

Gargano with an enzuigiri to Fish and Kyle with a kick and forearm to Johnny. Kyle with a German suplex on Riddle but Riddle pops up. Kyle with a German suplex. Riddle with a forearm and kick to Kyle. Gargano rolls up Fish and misses a round kick. Gargano with a super kick and Riddle with a back senton. Riddle gets a near fall. Gargano with a kick to Kyle and then Riddle with a round kick and Gargano tosses Kyle into a knee from Riddle. Fish with a kick but Riddle with a power bomb and knee for a near fall when Kyle pulls Bobby out of the ring. Riddle with a kick to Kyle.

Adam Cole makes his way to the ring and Gargano with a suicide dive and he punches Cole. Strong with a jumping knee while the referee deals with Cole and Garagno. Strong with a release suplex onto the apron and then Kyle and Bobby with a high low combination for the three count.

Winners: Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly

After the match, the Undisputed Era attack Riddle and Gargano. Cole with Last Shot to Gargano while Strong and Kyle hold Johnny.

We go to credits.

Had it been a singles match at NXT TakeOver: New York, Adam Cole would be the NXT Champion. But with the way the stars aligned over Barclays Center that night, it was Johnny Gargano who seized two falls to win the coveted crown in their 2-out-of-3 Falls classic. At NXT TakeOver: XXV, the two lionhearted Superstars have an opportunity to either correct or solidify history when they return to the squared circle with NXT’s top prize on the line.

The Undisputed ERA leader has often cited his pinfall over Gargano in the first 15 minutes of their bout as the reason he deserves a rematch against the champion. “I pinned him first,” he recently told WWE.com in an exclusive interview. “I did it by myself and in about 15 minutes.” Acknowledging that the title around his waist puts him squarely in The Undisputed ERA’s crosshairs, Gargano convinced NXT General Manager William Regal to approve a championship match between him and Cole at TakeOver: XXV.

For the NXT Champion, this battle will be all about protecting his reign. For Cole, as told to WWE.com, it’s about proving why he was “born to be the NXT Champion.” It will be “go big or go home” when these bitter adversaries battle it out in this much-anticipated rematch.

Will it be “wins and championships” once again for Gargano, or will Cole see his golden prophecy realized? Find out at NXT TakeOver: XXV, streaming live Saturday, June 1, on the award-winning WWE Network!

We see Adam Cole in the back getting ready for his match against Matt Riddle. We see Matt Riddle in the back as well.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a look at KUSHIDA’s debut from last week.

Next week, KUSHIDA will return to action.

Match Number Three: Matt Riddle versus Adam Cole

Riddle with a waist lock take down and he holds on for another take down. Cole tries to escape but Riddle sends Cole to the mat again. Cole is able to get to the floor and escape Riddle. Cole returns to the ring and they lock up. Riddle with a waist lock and Cole with a back elbow and forearms. Cole with a side head lock. Riddle rolls through and applies a side head lock. Riddle with a shoulder tackle and Riddle with a back senton when Cole drops down. Riddle gets a near fall.

Riddle with a gutwrench suplex and he holds on and rolls through for a second one. Riddle with a third one. Cole with a kick to the head. Cole with a snap mare and knee to the back. Cole with a figure four head scissors. Riddle bridges back for a near fall. Cole with a clothesline. Cole sends Riddle into the turnbuckles but Riddle with a chop. Cole with forearms to Riddle. Cole with a neck breaker and Dragon Sleeper on Riddle.

Cole with a back elbow and he calls Riddle a joke. Riddle with chops. Riddle with more strikes and a kick but he misses a round kick. Cole with an enzuigiri but Riddle with a German suplex. Riddle with more strikes. Riddle with a round kick and running forearm into teh corner and a second one. Riddle with an exploder to Cole. Riddle misses a kick and moonsault but hits a back senton and running kick to the chest for a near fall. Cole with a waist lock and Riddle with a standing switch.

Riddle with a German suplex and bridge for a near fall. Riddle is backed into the turnbuckles. Cole gets Riddle on his shoulders but Riddle with elbows. Cole with a bicycle kick and an ushigoroshi for a near fall. Cole goes for a suplex but Riddle blocks it. Riddle with a knee to the head and Riddle gets Cole on his shoulders and Cole counters into a lungblower. Cole gets a near fall. Riddle and Cole exchange chops and forearms. Riddle with chops and Cole stomps on the foot. Cole has a super kick blocked and Riddle applies the ankle lock. Cole rolls over and Riddle goes for the BroMission and Cole gets a near fall. Riddle with a round kick and Riddle with a fisherman’s buster and rolls through for a second one. Riddle goes for a third one but Cole counters into a brainbuster shoulder breaker for a near fall.

Cole gets to his feet first and Riddle with chops. Cole gets Riddle to cover up and Cole with a thrust kick to the knees. Cole goes for the Panama City Destroyer but Riddle does not go over. Cole with a super kick and Last Shot for a near fall. Cole pulls down the knee pad and hits an enzuigiri. Riddle with a knee strike and Go to Sleep followed by a power bomb and running knee to the head. Cole falls to the floor.

Strong comes out to check on Cole and Riddle kicks him. Riddle flips back into the ring and Cole with a super kick for a near fall. Riddle with the BroMission and Cole taps out.

Winner: Matt Riddle

After the match, Fish and O’Reilly come to the ring and they try to go after Riddle with Strong but Riddle is able to get to the floor.

Strong checks on Cole but Cole pushes Strong away. Cole and Strong have words as Fish and Kyle try to place peacekeepers.

Cole leaves the ring and Strong leaves on the other side of the ring.

Kyle talks to Cole while Fish talks to Strong.

We go to credits.

They say heavy is the head that wears the crown, but so is the one who dons the peaked cap. For Adam Cole, the uncontested general of Undisputed ERA, that message is, well, undisputed. This Friday, May 10, The Panama City Playboy will lace up his bootstraps to battle at EVOLVE 127 where he’ll compete in a non-title match against ever-bumptious EVOLVE Champion Austin Theory at the Monaghan Knights of Columbus Hall in Livonia, Mich. From there, Cole embarks on a second night of action at EVOLVE 128 on Saturday, May 11, inside the historic Southside Turners in Indianapolis, where he takes on longtime rival AR Fox in singles competition.

While he appears more than ready for battle, the leader of Undisputed ERA has other things on his mind that could surely contribute to some level of uneasiness. For one, there’s the fallout of NXT TakeOver: New York. Although Johnny Gargano emerged from their 2-out-of-3 Falls classic as NXT Champion, Cole scored the first pinfall — which, according to the inaugural NXT North American Champion, is enough to warrant a rematch. Then there’s the matter of Matt Riddle, who has spent the past few weeks meddling in The Undisputed ERA’s affairs and now will face Cole this Wednesday. Speaking of the black-and-gold comrades, the reports of dissension among Undisputed ERA members are also weighing heavy on Cole’s mind. The rumor mill has been running overtime following incidents like those which transpired on the May 1 edition of NXT, when Roderick Strong seemingly walked away from the group after an unpleasant exchange backstage with Cole.

As the weight continues to build, Cole unpacked his thoughts on all topics at hands, including EVOLVE and his plans to “embarrass” Austin Theory, taking Johnny Gargano’s coveted prize, rolling over Matt Riddle and his allegiance to The Undisputed ERA.

WWE.COM: Big week coming up, between your match against Matt Riddle and your return to EVOLVE. Let’s start with Riddle, who’s been involved in your affairs as of late. What are your thoughts heading into Wednesday’s battle?

ADAM COLE: I pride myself on telling the truth. The truth is Matt Riddle is an incredibly talented guy. He’s laid back, though, to a fault. He decided to make some comments, thinking that he’s getting under my skin, and he succeeded; in turn, we’re having this match this week on NXT TV. He’s going to pay for that. I’m very aware of how talented and skilled the guy is, but if he thinks our match is going to be a walk in the park, he’s got a totally different thing coming.

I’ve morphed and changed since coming to NXT – I recognize that. There was a phase where without question, I felt like every time I walked into that locker room, I was the best, I had nothing to prove, and I was on top of the world. I still think that I’m the best, but now I’m more focused than ever on making sure every single person in that locker room recognizes that as well. I’m angrier, I’m more focused and more determined to make sure that I become the NXT Champion as soon as possible. If Matt Riddle is in my way, I’m just going to have to hurt Matt Riddle in the process. We’re going to have a fight, and I can tell you this much: Matt Riddle is not going to leave that match the same as he did coming in.

WWE.COM: Looking ahead to this weekend, what does it mean to step back in the ring at EVOLVE?

ADAM COLE: Since joining NXT, to be able to come back and do some independent shows, specifically EVOLVE, has been really cool for me. For people who haven’t been following my entire career, the independents are where my heart is, where I got my start, and where I made a name for myself. They gave me the ability to travel overseas and do a lot of really incredible things. More importantly, the two guys that I’m getting to step into the ring with [this weekend] are two of the most talented guys on the independents.

Austin Theory is a guy I haven’t really faced before, but he’s just a bundle of talent. He’s got a big mouth, but he’s got talent. As for AR Fox, I think I first wrestled him in 2009 at CZW. He was a rival of mine when I first started making a name for myself as the CZW Junior Heavyweight Champion. We had some really competitive matches, so I’m excited to get the chance to step in the ring with him again, considering it’s been so long. He’s gotten better, I’ve gotten better – it’s going to be a great weekend.

Another cool thing about these EVOLVE shows is that we do a meet-and-greet before both events. I’ll get a chance to meet everybody, sign some autographs and take some pictures. That last time I was at EVOLVE, I got the chance to meet hundreds of fans, and it was so awesome to chat with them and see how long they’ve been following me. Promotions like EVOLVE have these fanbases that are so passionate about wrestling. People who are fans of mine know that I eat, sleep and breathe wrestling. To get to come to these events and meet these people and see these guys from these rosters, who are working their tails off, honing their game, getting better every time I see them, it’s very cool. I have a connection and will always have a connection to the independents. EVOLVE is one of the hottest promotions in the United States, and I’m excited to come back.

WWE.COM: Since you mentioned that he’s “got a big mouth,” what’s your take on Austin Theory? He’s been busy throwing jabs at you in recent weeks.

COLE: I understand what Austin Theory is doing. Even in a weird kind of way, I respect it because I was Austin Theory before. I was young, brash, arrogant and on top of the world, and I felt like I was already in my prime at such a young age. That’s Theory right now. He’s in amazing shape, on top of the world, the champion – he’s clicking on all cylinders. So now he’s trying to bark up the wrong tree, which is the biggest issue here. He’s running his mouth because he feels like he can. He hasn’t been in a situation yet where he’s had to face me in the ring before. So, pretty much I’m going to embarrass Austin Theory.

We’re going to have a great match, because I know how incredibly talented he is, and I know it’s going to be competitive. But, if Theory thinks he’s even close to being in the caliber of an Adam Cole, at this point in his career, I’m going to show him how wrong he is when we get in the ring together.

WWE.COM: Speaking of competition and incredible talent, you and Johnny Gargano delivered an all-time classic at NXT TakeOver: New York. What was it like battling under such high stakes?

COLE: With the exception of the outcome, it was special for sure. Brooklyn, specifically, is very near and dear to my heart. It’s where I made my debut in NXT, so to be able to finally get that NXT Championship match at a TakeOver was really cool. Gargano is another guy that I’ve had a long and storied history with. We got the chance for the first time to wrestle each other at arguably the biggest NXT event that we’ve ever had, and I think we had more eyes on us than ever before. Me and Johnny brought our energy, but those fans brought their energy, too. In turn, that created a really special night, making a match that I think people are going to remember for a really long time.

WWE.COM: You’ve been pretty vocal about the fact that had this match been a standard contest, instead of a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match, you’d be crowned champion. Where’s you mind now, as far as the match’s aftermath?

COLE: I’m a guy who tries not to harp on the negatives too much, but I can’t help but focus on the fact that if Johnny and I had any match other than a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match, I would be the NXT Champion. I pinned him first, I did it by myself and in about 15 minutes. The reason why I’m talking about the match like I am is because Johnny knows deep down that when we have our rematch, which we will, that he’s not going to be champion anymore. Johnny, to me, was lucky that it was 2-out-of-3 Falls. He was thrown into a lucky situation. A guy like Gargano was never meant to be the NXT Champion. I was born to be the NXT Champion. Of course, it was frustrating not to leave that night, the biggest TakeOver of all time, as the champion, but sometimes lightning strikes. Sometimes, if you take enough shots, you make the shot. The next time we wrestle for the NXT Championship, I’m going to be the one that leaves with the NXT Title. That’s all I’m focused on.

WWE.COM: There have been rumors running as of late about possible dissension in The Undisputed ERA — specifically recent rifts with Roderick Strong. What’s your response to such rumors?

COLE: Yeah, that’s a touchy subject for me. I don’t really know where Roderick is at the moment; we haven’t really talked a ton. We’ve had some time apart, but I’ll tell you this much regarding The Undisputed ERA and people questioning the position of this group: In my opinion — and I stand by this — without question, Adam Cole has been and will always be the leader. Sometimes there is some rift, friction and questions that goes on in a family.

WWE.COM: Is this family about to experience a divorce?

COLE: Let me put it to you this way: When you have brothers, you cannot change the fact that that person is your brother. Sometimes you fight, argue or choose to not have any relationship with a brother anymore. Sometimes you work through it and your relationship grows stronger. I stand by the fact that The Undisputed ERA is not just a wrestling faction, we’re a brotherhood. We’re guys who’ve known each other since our careers started. We’ve traveled up and down the road together, we’ve shared plenty of important moments. So whether we’re able to work through this is another question that I don’t know if I can answer, but I know where I stand on The Undisputed ERA. I know how I feel about The Undisputed ERA. If this brotherhood is as strong as I think it is, we’ll pull through and prove that we come back stronger than ever.

WWE.COM: Since the ERA debuted on NXT, you’ve managed to elevate the term “Undisputed” from a phrase to a movement. What would you attribute to the winning recipe behind the Undisputed ERA formula?

COLE: When The Undisputed ERA formed, we had a tagline that has turned into a mantra for us: “Shock the system.” When we came to WWE, it was very important for us to make as much of an impact as we possibly could. When you have a group of all likeminded individuals — who feel the same way, have the same goals and have the same passion — that’s when stuff gets dangerous for everybody else. I’m very aware that Adam Cole, as an individual, is a dangerous, skilled competitor. Kyle O’Reilly, same thing. Bobby Fish, same thing. Roderick Strong, same thing. But when it’s the four of us together, nobody can mess with us. When the four of us are all on, that’s when we succeed. I think a big reason why The Undisputed ERA has been so successful is that we all have our individual goals, and we all have goals as a group; we’re just as focused on the collective goals as the individual ones. I fight for two things: myself and The Undisputed ERA. I know those guys feel the same exact way.

We said before that we want to run NXT, [and] that goal hasn’t changed. We’re in the process of making that happen. We’re not going to stop until we make that happen.

WWE.COM: So that 2019 promise of championships all around is still undisputed?

COLE: Absolutely, without question. Speed bumps happen, like TakeOver: New York, when it was my time to become NXT Champion and it didn’t happen. But the year is still young and there are a lot of things that we could do to make sure that goal becomes a reality. That goal very much stands, and that is our mentality. By the end of the year – and I’ve said it before and will say it again – I promise that all of us will have championship gold in NXT.

History will be made, and a new NXT Champion will be crowned when Johnny Gargano battles Adam Cole in a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match for the newly vacated title at TakeOver: New York.

Gargano was originally earmarked to challenge arch-rival Tommaso Ciampa for the NXT Title at TakeOver, but a neck injury forced Ciampa to relinquish the coveted championship, necessitating a change of plans for New York.

In light of that development, WWE COO Triple H revealed on March 20 that the NXT Championship would instead be decided in a match between Gargano and the winner of a Fatal 5-Way Match held later that night between Cole, Ricochet, Aleister Black, NXT North American Champion Velveteen Dream and Matt Riddle, which The Undisputed ERA leader won. To ensure that TakeOver: New York’s main event has a definitive outcome, Triple H additionally announced that the match will be contested under 2-out-of-3 Falls rules, meaning the first Superstar to claim two falls will be the victor.

Capturing the NXT Title would truly be a fairytale ending for Gargano, whose tumultuous history with The Blackheart resulted in numerous crises of conscience. Through it all, however, Johnny Wrestling proved to be the valiant hero he always claimed to be. The only hurdle remaining between the beloved Superstar and the NXT Championship — the one title that Gargano has yet to win on the black-and-gold brand — is Cole.

Cole, meanwhile, began 2019 with the bold promise that he and his Undisputed ERA cohorts will all be champions this year. A victory against Gargano at TakeOver: New York — inside the very building where Cole made his shocking NXT debut two years ago — would put The Undisputed ERA back on track to accomplish their goal, as well as in control of the top prize in the land.

Find out who will be crowned the new NXT Champion when Gargano and Cole face off in a 2-out-3 Falls Match at TakeOver: New York, streaming live Friday, April 5, at 7 ET/4 PT, exclusively on the award-winning WWE Network.

Adam Cole makes his way to the ring and Goldie is in the ring waiting for him.

Adam says last week he outlasted four of NXT’s best when he pinned Ricochet for the right to go to New York to challenge for the vacant NXT Championship against Johnny Gargano. Cole says he can go on for hours why he will walk out of Barclays Center as the champion, but he wants Johnny Gargano to come to the ring and face him like a man to see what he is in store for when they meet in New York.

Johnny Gargano’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring.

Adam tells everyone to shut up and he says he does not need their support because he knows he can win on his own. Johnny says he loves the Johnny Wrestling chants.

Johnny says Adam had a million reasons why he will win so he wants to hear them from Adam. Johnny says we have made history because Adam Cole is at a loss for words. Johnny asks is it that or is it because they are man to man and you are facing the fight of your life at Takeover. Johnny says his path ends with him winning the championship. Now with Tommaso out, his path goes through you. Johnny will show why they call him Johnny Takeover . . . Bay Bay.

Adam asks Johnny if that is supposed to scare him. Is that supposed to intimidate him. Adam says that Johnny hasn’t been in the winner’s circle when it comes to Takeover. That nickname might be more appropriate if it was Johnny Participation. The fact is that Johnny Participation cannot beat Adam Cole two out of three falls. You cannot beat him in one fall and this is why. Adam says he became the first ever North American champion at Takeover. Adam won the first War Games at Takeover. Adam Cole says he beat down Drew McIntyre and held the title over his head at Takeover. How fitting is it that we return to the Barclays Center for him to reach the pinnacle of his career and beat Johnny for the title in the process. Adam says he has earned all of his success. What has Johnny Takeover done to earn this match?

Johnny asks if Adam is saying that he hasn’t earned this? Johnny says they didn’t roll out the red carpet and be allowed to debut in New York. Johnny says his time started at his tryout in June 2015, when he was told no. Johnny was told he was not good enough to be here. Johnny says he has heard it for 15 years and he fought for a chance and that chance came at the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. He was put in a makeshift tag team against a guy he didn’t know in Tommaso Ciampa. They were unsigned and they were told to prove themselves. We fought for our freaking lives.

When it was said and done, they left with no contract and no promise for the future. A month later, he was invited back. He was asked back again and again. He was asked back because every time, he poured his heart out in the ring. The people chanted Johnny Wrestling. The louder they chanted, the harder he fought for a spot. He was not fighting for himself. He was fighting for everyone who was told no and that their dream would not come true. Johnny says he earned his contract in NXT. He earned his spot on Takeover. He earned the Tag Titles. He earned his career back. He earned the North American Championship. This place is his life.

Johnny says he wasn’t handed a top spot and a group of cronies to fight his battles since day one. Johnny says he would not change a thing about where he came from or the last four years because they showed where he is going and that is the main event of Takeover. He will fight to fulfill his destiny and Johnny Wrestling will finally become NXT Champion.

Adam leaves the ring and he says he thought about everything that Johnny said. It is a Lifetime movie right before his eyes. Adam says you can fight and scratch and claw all you want, but when they leave the Barclays Center, Adam Cole will be the NXT Champion. Here is why.

Bobby Fish, Roderick Strong, and Kyle O’Reilly appear on the stage. Adam says Triple H said the match would be definitive. He says Hunter was wrong because this match will be Undisputed.

Match Number One: Adam Cole versus Matt Riddle versus Ricochet versus Aleister Black versus Velveteen Dream in a Number One Contender Match to Determine Who Faces Johnny Gargano for the Vacant NXT Men’s Championship

Cole kicks Black and punches Ricochet while Riddle goes after Dream on the floor. Dream sends Riddle into the guardrails. Cole pulls Ricochet to the floor and hits a forearm. Dream gets a near fall on Black. Dream sends Black into the corner but Black kicks Dream away and misses a double stomp. Black with a waist lock and Dream rolls through to get Black onto his shoulders. Black with a small package for a near fall. Cole trips Black and pulls him to the floor. Black with a round kick to the chest. Dream knocks Black off the apron. Ricochet kicks Dream and Ricochet with a handstand head scissors followed by a drop kick to send Dream to the floor.

Riddle with a gutwrench suplex to Ricochet and he holds on for two more to complete the BroTrio. Cole with an enzuigiri to Riddle and then he kicks Riddle in the corner. Black hits Cole from behind and Cole with a kick. Black with a knee and Ricochet with a standing moonsault. Cole hits Ricochet from behind and Black goes to the floor. Cole with kicks and a neck breaker to Ricochet for a near fall. Cole with a suplex on Ricochet for a near fall. Cole kicks Black off the apron. Cole with a belly-to-back suplex and he gets a near fall on Ricochet.

Dream with a shoulder to Cole from the apron. Ricochet with a drop kick to Cole and Dream with a running knee to send Ricochet to the floor. Dream with punches to Cole. Dream goes to the floor and punches Cole from the floor. Dream goes up top and hits a double sledge to Black on the apron. Dream sends Cole to the floor and hits a double sledge onto Cole. Dream goes up top and Riddle catches Dream and hits a German suplex. Riddle applies the BroMission on Black but Dream breaks it up.

Dream sends Riddle to the floor. Black with a leg sweep and flying boot to the head. Black with a quebrada to Dream and Cole. Black with a kick to Dream and he gets a near fall. Black picks up Dream but Cole sends Black to the floor and hte ring steps. Cole and Riddle are in the ring and Cole with a forearm but Riddle chops Cole. They continue the exchange but Cole stomps on the foot. Cole has a super kick blocked and Riddle with an ankle lock into the BroMission. Dream breaks up the hold.

Riddle chops Dream while Cole punches Riddle and Dream does the same. Cole with a forearm to Riddle followed by one from Dream. Dream with a European uppercut to Cole but Riddle chops Dream. Dream with a super kick to Dream. Ricochet with an enzuigiri to Dream. Cole with a super kick to Ricochet. Riddle with a knee to Cole. Black and Riddle kick each other and everyone is down. Ricochet is the first to get to his feet and he goes to the apron and turnbuckles but Cole stops Ricochet. Cole sets for a superplex but Ricochet blocks it. Dream comes from behind and stops Cole. Dream goes to the turnbuckles as well. Black and Riddle make their way over and they sets for a superduperplex on Ricochet. Everyone is down again.

Black and Dream try to get to their feet and Black with a punch from his knees. Dream punches Black. They go back and forth with punches and Black gains the advantage. Dream backs Black into the corner and Black kicks Dream away and Black with Meteora. Black with a German suplex to Dream but Riddle with a back senton to break up the cover. Riddle with a suplex for a near fall. Riddle with punches and strikes to Cole. Cole with a super kick and shoulder breaker for a near fall.

Ricochet kicks Cole in the knee and then hits a jumping axe kick. Ricochet gets Cole on his shoulders but Cole with a rake of the eyes followed by two super kicks. Cole misses the Last Shot and Ricochet with a reverse rana that sends Cole to the floor. Ricochet looks around and hits a Space Tiger Drop onto Cole. Riddle and Dream are in the ring and Riddle with a chop and Riddle goes for a power bomb but Dream blocks it. Riddle with a jumping knee to the head. Riddle with the BroMission on Dream but Cole pulls the referee out of the ring. Riddle kicks Cole. Black with Black Mass to Riddle. Dream with a rolling Death Valley Driver on Black.

Dream goes up top but Ricochet with a Frankensteiner that sends Dream onto Black and Cole. Ricochet goes up top for a shooting star press on Riddle but Cole with the Last Shot and he gets the three count.

Winner: Adam Cole