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.

It’s time to shake things up! The Superstar Shake-up goes international this year, as Raw and SmackDown LIVE emanate from Montreal and prepare for dramatic changes to their rosters.

Which Superstars might switch brands? What possibilities would these jumps create? WWE.com’s editors got together and made 5 picks as to who they’d like to see switch brands in this year’s Superstar Shake-up. Do you agree? Let us know in the comments!

How’s this for a shock to the system: After running amuck on NXT for almost two years, The Undisputed ERA pulls the rug from under the red brand with a statement-making debut as part of the Superstar Shake-up.

Frankly, no example illustrates this potential shift better than their strong-arm debut at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, when Adam Cole (“BAY BAY!”) hoisted the NXT Title moments after Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish made a beeline for the NXT Tag Team Titles. With Roderick Strong joining the foray a few months later, it not only strengthened their numbers game but also the collective threat they pose to any locker room. Like sharks encircling prey, Undisputed ERA have conquered and devoured almost everything in their path on the black-and-gold brand. A move to Raw would provide these outlaws fresh fish and a new environment to expand their dominance. And that right there is Undisputed. – RALPH BRISTOUT

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

Adam Cole says he is sick of hearing they had a bad start to 2019. Have you heard of ups and downs or speed bumps. Kyle says step one is regain the Tag Titles and step two is prove that they are the best tag team. Bobby Fish says they are the Undisputed Era. They claim and take what is theirs. Strong says this excites them. Bobby and Kyle getting the tag titles again means that he can get some singles gold. They will all be dripping in gold in 2019. Adam says they will have all the gold that NXT has to offer. Cole says it starts with Ricochet tonight. He is a one trick pony and a flash in the pan. They will show NXT and Ricochet that 2019 is the Year of the Undisputed.

Match Number Four: Ricochet versus Adam Cole

They lock up and go around the ring. Cole with a kick on the break and he connects with more kicks and a forearm. Ricochet with a back elbow and punches. Cole with a kick and forearms. Ricochet with a handstand head scissors take down and drop kick that sends Cole to the floor. Ricochet with a suicide dive and then he punches Cole on the ramp. Ricochet sends Cole back into the ring and Cole with a knee. Ricochet with an enzuigiri. Ricochet goes to the turnbuckles and Cole stops him and tries for a sunset flip power bomb but Ricochet holds on to the ropes. Cole with a thrust kick and Ricochet’s left leg is caught in the turnbuckles and Cole with more kicks. Cole wrings the injured leg into the ring post.

Cole kicks Ricochet as Ricochet tries to protect his injured leg. Cole wraps the injured leg in the ropes. Cole kicks the leg. Cole with a dragon screw leg whip. Cole kicks Ricochet in the back of the leg to send Ricochet back to the mat. Cole avoids an enzuigiri and Cole drives the knee into the mat. Cole kicks Ricochet in the leg and then he drops down on the knee after a step over toe hold. Cole kicks Ricochet in the hamstring. Cole with more kicks and then the referee warns Cole. Cole with a knee bar. Ricochet kicks Cole in the head to escape the hold. Cole with a drop kick to the injured knee.

Cole kicks Ricochet in the back and then tries for an atomic drop to the knee but Ricochet with a punch. Ricochet lands on his feet on a belly-to-back suplex attempt but his knee gives out. Ricochet goes for a rolling jumping DDT but his knee gives out. Ricochet with a clothesline and kick. Ricochet sends Cole into the turnbuckles and then hits a Tiger Feint Kick. Ricochet with a European uppercut off the turnbuckles followed by a standing moonsault for a near fall. Ricochet cannot get Cole on his shoulders. Cole with a kick to the knee and he follows with forearms. Cole puts Ricochet on the turnbuckles. Ricochet kicks Cole and Cole kicks back and hits an Ushigoroshi for a near fall.

Cole with a front face lock and Ricochet blocks a suplex attempt. Cole with a forearm to the back and Ricochet lands on his feet on a suplex attempt. Ricochet with a Northern Lights suplex and he tries for another suplex but Cole with a brainbuster shoulder breaker for a near fall. Cole pulls down the knee pad but misses the Last Shot and Ricochet with a rollup for a near fall. Cole with a thrust kick to the knee but he misses the Last Shot and Ricochet with a reverse rana. Ricochet struggles to get to the apron and the turnbuckles but his knee gives out as he climbs. Ricochet with a one leg springboard senton to the legs for a near fall. Ricochet cannot get Cole on his shoulders and Cole with an elbow. Cole with a forearm and Ricochet fires back. Ricochet with a European uppercut.

Cole with a kick to the injured knee but Ricochet with an uppercut. Cole with a kick and Ricochet with a jumping knee. Cole with an enzuigiri and Ricochet misses a Pele Kick. Cole with a super kick for a near fall. Cole with a front face lock and he hits Ricochet with a forearm. Cole puts Ricochet on the turnbuckles and connects with a forearm. Ricochet gets to his feet and he stops Cole. Ricochet goes to the ropes and Cole with elbows to the knee. Ricochet is knocked off the turnbuckles. Cole picks up Ricochet but Ricochet with punches. Ricochet with a Frankensteiner and axe kick to the back of the head. Ricochet with a Northern Lights suplex and he rolls through into a suplex and he hits Vertigo for the three count.

Winner: Ricochet

After the match, Strong, O’Reilly, and Fish attack Ricochet.

Aleister Black makes his way to the ring and Cole with a super kick to Black and Strong with End of Heartache.

WWE Halftime Heat is back! For the first time in 20 years — and streaming live for the first time ever across all WWE digital platforms — WWE Halftime Heat will take place during halftime of this Sunday’s Big Game between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams.

As revealed on the Royal Rumble Kickoff, the unprecedented event will feature a Six-Man Tag Team Match pitting Aleister Black, Ricochet & Velveteen Dream against NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa, newly crowned NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano & Adam Cole.

When it all goes down, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels will be on hand to call the action as part of the announce team.

WWE Halftime Heat will be available to watch on the award-winning WWE Network, as well as on WWE.com, the WWE App, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

To help get ready for the huge six-Superstar melee, a marathon of some of NXT’s most epic matches of all time — featuring everyone from Finn Bálor and Sasha Banks to Asuka and The Undisputed ERA — will stream on WWE.com, the WWE App, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter starting at 2 p.m. ET this Sunday.

The event coincides with the 20-year anniversary of WWE’s inaugural Halftime Heat, which aired on Jan. 31, 1999. That night famously saw Mankind defeat The Rock to win his second WWE Championship in an Empty Arena Match that aired during halftime of that year’s game between the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons.

Coming off the explosive aftermath of NXT TakeOver: Phoenix — in which Ciampa, Gargano, Cole, Black, Ricochet and Velveteen Dream brawled throughout the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix — the return of WWE Halftime Heat is guaranteed to be a can’t-miss event.

Velveteen Dream makes his way to the ring.

Dream says if you didn’t realize he has a little sparkle in his eyes. Dream has something special in his sights. Dream says you all know better than anybody that Dream waits for no man. If you really knew him, you would know that the sparkle in his eye is a sparkle of championship gold. More specifically the North American Championship. It is high time . . .

Dream is interrupted by Adam Cole and Bobby Fish..

Cole tells Dream to pump the brakes. Everybody knows that 2019 will be the year of the Undisputed Era. They will capture all championship gold. Kyle and Roderick are getting ready for another title defense. Him and Bobby don’t have any gold to speak of. They don’t like arriving empty handed and they will have gold around their waists. You can continue to dream on.

Bobby says Dream is making a mistake getting the hopes of the crowd raised. You need to learn to live in reality because 2019 will continue to be our era. That is undisputed.

Dream tells Bobby he is ready to dispute that claim but only if it is okay with Adam.

Fish comes into the ring and Dream sends him over the top rope to the floor. Cole is sent to the floor as well and Dream escapes.

Match Number Three: Velveteen Dream versus Bobby Fish (with Adam Cole)

Fish tries for a kick to the leg but Dream with an elbow. Fish with a forearm and kicks. Fish misses a round kick and Dream makes sure he can see Cole. Dream blocks a kick and Fish with a shoulder tackle. Dream gets Fish up on his shoulders but Fish escapes. Dream with a drop kick but Fish with a boot in the corner. Dream comes off the turnbuckles with a double sledge and he gets a near fall. Fish goes to the floor to talk strategy with Cole.

Dream goes to the apron when Fish and Cole move on the floor. Dream with a springboard drop kick and then he goes up top and hits Fish with a double sledge. Dream sends Fish back into the ring and he connects with a forearm to the back while he has a conversation with Cole. Dream with forearms but Fish with a forearm. Dream with punches but Fish with a waist lock. Dream with an elbow and Dream is distracted by Cole and Fish slides to teh floor and kicks the hamstring and he sends Dream into the guardrails with a dragon screw leg whip.

Fish kicks Dream in the back of the leg and they return to the ring. Fish continues to work on the injured leg. Fish with knees to Dream followed by a snap mare and double slingshot senton and he gets a near fall. Fish continues to kick Dream in the leg. Dream kicks Fish away but Fish returns to the leg with a clip and Fish gets a near fall. Fish with a single leg crab. Dream kicks Fish to get out o fthe hold. Dream with a knee to Fish and he connects with another knee to the head. Dream with a missile drop kick and he gets a near fall.

Dream with a punch in the corner and he connects with more punches. Dream argues with the referee and Fish kicks Dream. Dream with a spinebuster and Dream goes up top for the elbow drop and he connects but Fish rolls through and applies a knee bar. Dream tries to get to the ropes as he fights through the pain. Cole pulls the ropes away from Dream while the referee is not looking. The referee finally sees it and he warns Cole. Dream with an O’Connor Roll for a near fall. Dream gets Fish on his shoulders but Fish escapes. Dream sends Fish onto Cole on the floor. Dream hits a rolling Death Valley Driver and he goes up top for the elbow drop and connects for the three count.

Winner: Velveteen Dream

After crossing out Bobby Fish from his redemption list, EC3 looked to administer more dents in the Undisputed ERA armor by waylaying Adam Cole in one-on-one action. As Cole’s black-and-gold attired comrades circled around the ring like sharks stalking prey, The Top One Percent maintained tunnel vision on The Panama City Playboy as he tossed him around like a handball. Yet, Cole found an opening after targeting the left arm of EC3. The former NXT North American Champion tossed EC3 into the steel steps, right before laying a dropkick onto the tenderized limb.

It was almost déjà vu when the other Undisputed ERA members interjected late in the contest. Though EC3 disposed of them, Cole capitalized on the distraction with a thunderous superkick and the Last Shot to pick up the three-count. As the entire Undisputed ERA pounced on the battered EC3, they received a true shock to the system when The War Raiders swooped in. Pulverizing the foursome with back-to-back tandem attacks, the modern-day Vikings left a crystal-clear warning ahead of their NXT Tag Team Title matchup at NXT TakeOver: Phoenix.

Undisputed Era come to the ring and Adam Cole says they start the holidays early by embarrassing the top one percent of idiots EC3 tonight. In 2018, EC3 thought that coming to NXT would elevate his career to new heights. With help from a steel chair, EC3 found out that NXT was their world. The Undisputed Era is the center of the universe. Everything revolved around them. Make no mistake about it, 2018 was not a career year for them, it was the start of a decade of undisputed dominance. Adam promises that all four of them will be draped in championship gold in 2019. That is not a threat, that is undisputed.

Match Number One: Bobby Fish (with Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong, and Adam Cole) versus EC3

Fish goes to the floor before EC3 can lock up as he tries to get into EC3’s head. Fish wants EC3 held back but EC3 hip tosses Fish into the ring. EC3 with kicks and punches. EC3 with an Irish whip and Fish goes for the leg. EC3 with a power bomb. EC3 with a Mick Foley clothesline and both go over the top rope to the floor. EC3 goes to the apron and then goes after Fish and sends him back into the ring. EC3 with an arm bar and nerve hold. Fish backs EC3 into the corner. EC3 with chops and a biel. Kyle gets on the apron and that allows Fish to clip EC3.

Fish with punches to EC3. Fish with a boot to EC3 followed by a kick. Fish with a forearm and punches in the corner. Fish with kicks to the thigh followed by a dragon screw leg whip. Fish works on the injured leg and stands on the good knee. EC3 kicks Fish away but misses a splash into the corner and Fish with an exploder for a near fall. EC3 with a suplex. EC3 with punches to Fish and Fish catches himself in the ropes. EC3 with a slam and the One Percent Elbow. EC3 knocks Kyle and Strong off the apron. Fish dives at the knee and takes EC3 down again. Fish with a knee bar but EC3 with a rollup for the three count.

Winner: EC3

After the match, The Undisputed Era attack EC3.

Otis Dozovic and Tucker Knight come to the ring and go after Undisputed Era and clear the ring except for Kyle. EC3 hits the One Percenter on Kyle.

EC3 convinces Otis to do the worm and elbow drop.