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(bell dinging) The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, weighing in at 205 pounds, from Panama City, Florida, Adam Cole. And look, as we just witnessed, guys, order is starting to be restored with the return of the former NXT Champion, Samoa Joe, last week. Always has been, always will be about ol' Adam Cole, baby. Oh, if it's about Adam Cole, the question has become, who is Adam Cole going to pick tonight to face? Because we know Kyle O'Reilly picked Kushida.
NXT Dream Match later tonight. Adam Cole given a choice by our general manager, William Regal, to pick his opponent here tonight. Boom. This is the first time we will see Adam Cole since NXT Takeover: In Your House. Cole ready and primed for action. Adam Cole, baby! Let's be honest. It's great to see Adam Cole back on his feet after he was rendered unconscious last week by Samoa Joe in what I thought was a massive overreaction from Samoa Joe.
(crowd chanting "Adam Cole") Last week, last week, Regal decided that I have to fight Kyle O'Reilly at the Great American Bash. Also last week, Samoa Joe decided to assault and attack me. And then on top of that, they tell me that, this week, I get to come out here, and I get to hand pick my opponent. Well, I was back in my locker room, and I was doing some thinking. And I decided, ain't no way in hell am I gonna pick my opponent.
Why, just because Samoa Joe is here, all of a sudden, ol' Adam Cole, baby, has to start following the rules? 'Cause let me remind you, Joe. I know it's been a long time since you've been here in NXT, but there's a new king of this brand. And damn it, you're looking at him. And after I embarrass Kyle O'Reilly at the Great American Bash, the entire world will recognize me as the greatest NXT superstar of all time. So consider yourself lucky, boys and girls. You got to see ol' Adam Cole, baby. But this ain't happening. And nobody is gonna change my mind.
Wait a minute here. Someone's gonna try to change his mind. Yeah, very cool, man. Hey, Cole. You might not know who I am, but I know who you are. My name is Carmelo Hayes. And if anyone's gonna change your mind, it's gonna be me. Is that so? If anyone's gonna change my mind? Well, enlighten me, tough guy.
How exactly do you plan on changing my mind? I mean, there is this famous phrase. I'm trying to remember how it goes. I think it goes something like, "Ruthless aggression." Yeah, same energy. Oh! (bell dinging) Hayes indeed certainly did change the mind of Adam Cole. And we've got a one-on-one matchup.
Carmelo Hayes lighting a fire on Adam Cole at the moment. Carmelo Hayes might have just made the biggest mistake of his young career. Cole charging in, gets caught with a clothesline. And let's not forget, this is another huge moment for Hayes. He answered Kushida's open challenge several weeks ago. I mean, all week the entire men's locker room knew Cole was looking for an opponent. But it was Carmelo Hayes that stepped up, just like he stepped up to Kushida, to take the spotlight right here tonight.
Yeah, this has been an impressive start from Carmelo Hayes. Let's not forget he received a personal endorsement from GM Mr. Regal not so long ago. Oh, no. And he just got a personal boot to the face from Adam Cole for his trouble. Well we mentioned Kushida. We've got to talk about Kushida, Kyle O'Reilly, NXT Dream Match in our main event tonight. As Cole to the outside. And Adam Cole now getting Hayes back to the ring. And you hear Adam Cole just snarling, talking back to Hayes. Let's tell the truth here.
There are levels to this in NXT. And I'm not sure what level Carmelo Hayes finds himself at. But I can tell you this. Adam Cole is at the top of the top level. Well Carmelo Hayes prescribes to that stay ready mindset. He trains every day like it's make or break. Taking an opportunity like this is a huge moment for him. But Adam Cole is in a foul mood tonight. Nice suplex by Adam Cole. And it's Great American Bash two weeks from tonight. Cole and O'Reilly 2. Cole and O'Reilly 2 is gonna be very, very different to the first meeting, the unsanctioned match.
The first meeting was all about who was prepared to take themselves to hell- Ooh. In order to get the win. This one at the Great American Bash is gonna be about who is the best wrestler. This time, there are rules. There are constraints. And ultimately, there are no excuses. The first match was about pain. The second match is about pride. You can see the pain etched on the face of Hayes. Take a look one more time, Beth. Adam Cole delivering the pain, executing that neck breaker perfectly. And just enjoying it, reveling in the pain he's creating.
Well able to weather the storm early on was Cole. And you know, Hayes had a lot of aggression, to steal his own phrase, at the start of this matchup. Not just any aggression, ruthless aggression. I mean, we remember the Ruthless Aggression Era defined by an influx of stars shaking things up. We've seen John Cena, Randy Orton come from that. Hayes wanting to do the same. Boom. Well what a big move, followed by a clothesline by Hayes. And you talk about opening the door.
You beat Adam Cole, and it certainly would swing open. Hayes very, very close to knocking off Adam Cole. Yeah, and what a shocking moment that would be, derailing any momentum Adam Cole has going in to facing Kyle O'Reilly. You know, Beth talks about all the talent, John Cena, Randy Orton, the names you rattle off. I mean, the top talent around the world wants to be here in NXT. Hayes is no different. And he's answering someone of Cole's challenge. Who could change his mind? It was Hayes. But Adam Cole turning things around.
Yeah, it's been a superb effort from Carmelo Hayes so far, just like we saw in the Kushida match a few weeks ago. But it- Oh, no. Oh, no, what a nasty landing. It's the experience level of Adam Cole that's shining through. It doesn't matter how good an athlete you are, how great at movement you are. You cannot compete with that level of experience. Adam Cole putting Hayes into the barricade. And now Adam Cole in cruise control. And one more time, Hayes goes into that barricade.
Back live inside the Capital Wrestling Center. Adam Cole didn't wanna pick his opponent tonight. It was Carmelo Hayes who picked his spot. Cole has been in control though, weathering the early storm from Carmelo Hayes as we start the night here on NXT. Some nice surprises from Hayes, but during the break, Adam Cole delivering some vicious offense to Carmelo Hayes. And you can see Hayes still in this fight, but taking a lot of damage. And look, when we heard from Adam Cole, he said he was attacked last week.
He was the one who put his hands on Samoa Joe. Yeah, that's a skewed perspective. I mean, he committed the major no-no. He provoked Samoa Joe and got himself choked out. He certainly did. But right now, just mowing down Hayes. And the measuring stick of NXT, Wade says, no one can touch him on this brand. Yeah, and listen to me. You'll find no bigger supporter of Adam Cole than me. He is the best in-ring. His record-breaking run with the NXT championship should tell you that.
However, just for one minute, I want you to imagine the Kyle O'Reilly goes 2-and-0 against Adam Cole at the Great American Bash. That, to me, would be conclusive for O'Reilly. And that would obliterate every part of who Adam Cole believes himself to be. I mean, take a look at this devastation right here. Boom, elbow right to the collar bone of Carmelo Hayes, sending him to the mat. Oh, now Adam Cole wants to play by the rules, as Hayes to the outside. Giving a lot of credit to Carmelo Hayes in this matchup.
Came out, stuck his face, stuck his nose right into Adam Cole's business, going toe-to-toe with the best. As the referee's up to six. At least give a little credit to Adam Cole. He didn't even come out here for a match. Referee is at seven. He didn't warm up for this match. And still, he's got the upper hand against a game competitor like Carmelo Hayes. Well I mean, Adam Cole knew what he was supposed to be coming out here to do tonight. Well Hayes- You're a nobody, you hear me?
I'm Adam Cole, baby. You're nobody. Man, I don't give a damn who you are- Oh! The disrespect here is completely unnecessary. You've got nothing. Come on. Oh, and another forearm. You talk about disrespect. Hayes now standing up. At the end of the day, Carmelo Hayes is a man, a man that wants an opportunity. And he's going toe-to-toe right now with a man who considers himself to be the very best NXT has ever produced. And Carmelo Hayes fighting for self respect right here in this moment. Hayes bouncing off the ropes.
Goes up, goes over, and lands on his feet. Back in with a pump kick right under the jaw. Drops Adam Cole. Hayes now focused. Big mistake from Adam Cole, punking out this man. But perhaps that could be the final blow there. Hayes almost out on his feet. Cole now hoisting up. Oh, oh, countered! What a unique counter by Hayes. Cole is out. Cole not moving. This could be the biggest upset in NXT history. And Cole, kicks out at two.
You see that cover. Hayes unable to get all his body weight on top of Adam Cole. Let's go back one moment right here. Boom, look at this telegraphing, this maneuver. And then, wham, right to the jaw. And then follow that up with this innovative offense, boom. Carmelo Hayes showing a lot of signs of wear and tear to that jaw, as you mentioned, Beth, unable to put on a strong cover on top of Cole there, perhaps costing him the win. At the start and, oh, inside cradle. Shoulders down, center of the ring. Hayes able to kick out, back to his feet. Pump kick caught. Enziguri rocks Cole. Wow.
Oh, more high impact offense. Hayes into another cover. Hook of the leg. And another kickout by Cole. Look, you can listen to the Capital Wrestling Center right now. At the start of the night, they were chanting, "Who are you?" And now, they're chanting, "Carmelo, Carmelo." This could be Hayes's night, certainly opening a lot of eyes. CWC on their feet right now. A lot of people call this man, Carmelo Hayes, a generational talent. I will tell you this. One of the best movers I've ever seen in an NXT ring.
Absolutely, and I think Adam Cole underestimated the talents of this young man from the start. And crack goes the thunder. Adam Cole thought this was all fun and games. Game over. Cole though, able to counter. Swings wildly and misses. And up on the shoulders of Hayes. Hayes looking to plant Cole. And a backstabber. Could be the turning point in the matchup. Shoulders down. Hayes continues to fight.
Wow. Signs of frustration starting to build on the face of Adam Cole. Now he's gone way deeper into this match than he ever wanted to. Can you blame him? I mean, this whole psyche, his mental game has to be rattled. Cole looking to fly and gets caught. Super kick right into the throat of Adam Cole. Hayes now, don't hesitate. Put your foot on the gas. Hayes looking to fly again. Oh, gets caught in his own right. Return ticket for good measure there from the master himself, Adam Cole, looking to put this one to bed.
Panama Sunrise. Got all of it and more, did Adam Cole. Shoots the half. Into the cover, count. One, two, three. And Adam Cole (bell dinging) answers the challenge of Hayes. Here is your winner, Adam Cole. The king of the brand stands tall. And Wade, you pointed it out. Adam Cole, not prepared for one-on-one competition heading into this match.
