Adam Cole

Cole in August 2021

###

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States

**Austin Kirk Jenkins** (born July 5, 1989) is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring-name **Adam Cole**. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He is also known for his tenures with WWE and Ring of Honor (ROH).

Cole began his eight-year tenure with ROH in 2009 and went on to become the first-ever three-time ROH World Champion. In addition, he is a one-time ROH World Television Champion, and the winner of the 2014 ROH Survival of the Fittest tournament. Cole has also wrestled for several independent promotions, including Chikara, Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), where he is a former CZW World Junior Heavyweight Champion, and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), where he is a former PWG World Champion; he holds the records for longest reigns for both titles. He also worked in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he was part of the Bullet Club stable.

From 2017 to 2021, Cole was signed to WWE and performed on their NXT brand. During this time, Cole was the leader of The Undisputed Era, whose membership included Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly, and later Roderick Strong. Cole was the second wrestler to become the NXT Triple Crown Champion, having been the inaugural NXT North American Champion, a one-time NXT Tag Team Champion, and is the longest-reigning NXT Champion.

## Professional wrestling career

### Other promotions (2009–2010)

Cole appeared at Dragon Gate USA (DGUSA)'s Open the Freedom Gate pay-per-view taping on November 28, 2009 on the pre-show, where he wrestled Kyle O'Reilly in a losing effort. On July 24, 2010, Cole appeared at DGUSA's Enter the Dragon 2010 pay-per-view taping in a four-way match against Chuck Taylor, Arik Cannon, and Ricochet, which was won by Taylor.

### NJPW and ROH (2014, 2016-2017)

Through ROH's relationship with NJPW, Cole made his Japanese debut on August 10, 2014, in Tokorozawa, Saitama, teaming with Kingdom stablemate Michael Bennett to defeat Captain New Japan and Jushin Thunder Liger in a tag team match.

In May 2014, Cole took part in a tour co-produced by ROH and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), during which he made two more successful title defenses; first against Kevin Steen at Global Wars on May 10 and then against NJPW's Jushin Thunder Liger at War of the Worlds on May 17. The following month, Cole retained the championship against ACH and Tommaso Ciamapa. On June 22 at Best in the World 2014, Cole lost the ROH World Championship to Michael Elgin, ending his reign at 275 days. Through ROH's relationship with NJPW, Cole made an appearance for the Japanese promotion on August 10 in Tokorozawa, Saitama, teaming with Michael Bennett to defeat Captain New Japan and Jushin Thunder Liger in a tag team match. Back in ROH, Cole won the 2014 Survival of the Fittest on November 8. On December 7 at Final Battle 2014, Cole unsuccessfully challenged Jay Briscoe for the ROH World Championship in a Fight Without Honor. The following week, Cole announced he had suffered a shoulder injury, which required surgery.

Cole returned from his injury on May 12, 2015, at War of the Worlds '15 Night 1, losing to A.J. Styles. Cole then began having problems with his Kingdom stablemates and started teasing a reunion with his Future Shock tag team partner Kyle O'Reilly. However, on September 18 at All Star Extravaganza VII, Cole turned on O'Reilly during his match for the ROH World Championship and reunited with the rest of the Kingdom, becoming a villain once again.
On May 8, 2016, at Global Wars, Cole joined Bullet Club, helping the stable take over the ring in a show-closing angle. On August 19 at Death Before Dishonor XIV, Cole defeated Jay Lethal to win the ROH World Championship for the second time, becoming the third man to regain the championship. Afterwards, Cole's victory celebration was abruptly ended when he was laid out by a returning Kyle O'Reilly. Cole returned to NJPW on September 22, 2016, now representing Bullet Club and successfully defending the ROH World Championship against Will Ospreay at Destruction in Hiroshima. Three days later at Destruction in Kobe, Cole and The Young Bucks were defeated by David Finlay, Ricochet and Satoshi Kojima in a match for the vacant NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship. Adam Cole's profile was removed from NJPW's website.

On December 2 at Final Battle, Cole lost the ROH World Championship to O'Reilly. Cole regained the title from O'Reilly on January 4, 2017, at NJPW's Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome. This makes Adam Cole the first man to ever hold the ROH World Championship three times.On March 10 at the 15th Anniversary Show, Cole lost the ROH World Championship to Christopher Daniels, when Bullet Club's newest member and Daniels' longtime tag team partner Frankie Kazarian turned on him and ole tried to fire The Young Bucks from Bullet Club, but the two responded by stating that Omega, not Cole, was the leader of the stable.Despite the dissension, Cole remained a member of Bullet Club. On May 1, it was reported that Cole's ROH contract had expired and he was now a free agent. On May 12, during the third night of the War of the Worlds tour, Cole was defeated by NJPW's Hiroshi Tanahashi in a singles match. After the match, Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks turned on Cole and kicked him out of Bullet Club, giving his spot in the stable to Marty Scurll. Two days later, Cole was defeated by Scurll in his ROH farewell match.

## Personal life

Jenkins has a younger brother. His parents separated when he was 10 years old.

Jenkins cites Shawn Michaels as his inspiration. Jenkins took karate lessons as a child. He enjoys scuba diving.

## In wrestling

* **Finishing moves**
	+ *Figure-four leglock*
	+ *Florida Key* (Bridging Straight-jacket german suplex)
	+ *Last Shot* (Vertical suplex lifted and dropped into a neckbreaker onto the knee)
	+ The Boom (Shining Wizard to the front or back of opponent's head)
	+ *Panama Sunrise* (Super front flip piledriver)
* **Signature moves**
	+ Brainbuster
	+ Coleateral (Scoop brainbuster)
	+ *Cole Day in Hell* (Wheelbarrow suplex)
	+ *Corona Crash* (Inverted DDT)
	+ DDT
	+ Diving crossbody
	+ Fireman's carry neckbreaker
	+ German suplex
	+ Lariat
	+ Multiple kick variations
		- Bicycle
		- Enzuigiri
		- Super
	+ Shining wizard
	+ Snap suplex
	+ Vertical suplex lifted and dropped into a neckbreaker onto the knee
	+ Wheelbarrow lifted and dropped into a double knee backbreaker
* **Managers**
	+ Maria Kanellis
* **Nicknames**
	+ "The Panama City Playboy"
	+ "The One"
* **Entrance themes**
	+ "Something for You" by David Rolfe
	+ "Shot'Em" by [Q]Brick, used as part of Bullet Club
	+ "Adam Cole Bay-Bay" by Yonosuke Kitamura

## Championships and accomplishments

* ***Pro Wrestling Illustrated***
	+ PWI ranked him **9** of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2014
	+ PWI ranked him **45** of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2016
* **Ring of Honor**
	+ ROH World Championship (3 times)
	+ ROH World Television Championship (1 time)
	+ ROH World Championship Tournament (2013)
	+ ROH World Tag Team Championship #1 Contender Lottery Tournament (2011) – with Kyle O'Reilly
	+ Survival of the Fittest (2014)
* ***Wrestling Observer Newsletter***
	+ Rookie of the Year (2010)

## References

1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `MorningCall`
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Adam Cole . Combat Zone Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2010-12-22. Retrieved on 2010-11-28.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Adam Cole . Ring of Honor. Retrieved on 2011-09-26.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Officialbio`
5. ↑ Bristol, Jason 2013-04-04. Ring of Honor wrestling promises high-energy action, great athletes . WHP-TV. Retrieved on 2013-05-31.
6. ↑ Radican, Sean 2010-05-19. Radican's DGUSA DVD Review Series: "Open the Freedom Gate" – Doi & Yoshino vs. Shingo & Dragon Kid, Yamato-Richards . Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on 2010-11-28. Retrieved on 2010-11-28.
7. ↑ Bobo, Thomas 2010-11-29. Dragon Gate USA 11/28 results . WrestleView. Retrieved on 2010-11-28.
8. ↑ Show #9; "Enter The Dragon"; The Asylum Arena – Philadelphia, PA; July 24th, 2010 . Dragon Gate USA (2010-07-24). Archived from the original on 2010-11-22. Retrieved on 2010-11-28.
9. ↑ Radican, Sean 2010-09-06. Radican's 9/10 DGUSA "Enter the Dragon 2010" PPV review – Insane 4 Way, Chikara-Kamikaze USA 8 Man Tag, Hulk-Mochizuki . Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on 2010-11-28. Retrieved on 2010-11-28.
10. ↑ Caldwell, James 2014-08-10. Caldwell's New Japan G1 Climax finals results 8/10: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Okada vs. Nakamura tournament finals, Styles vs. Tanahashi, Jeff Jarrett, ROH tag champs, more . Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved on 2014-08-10.
11. ↑ Caldwell, James 2014-05-10. Caldwell's ROH vs. New Japan iPPV report 5/10: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of iPPV from Toronto – ROH Title match, IWGP Jr. Tag Titles, Styles, Tanahashi, Okada, top NJPW stars . Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved on 2014-05-10.
12. ↑ Caldwell, James 2014-05-17. Caldwell's ROH iPPV results 5/17: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of War of the Worlds – ROH Title & IWGP Title main events, new ROH tag champs, Steen vs. Nakamura, more . Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved on 2014-05-17.
13. ↑ Martin, Adam 2014-06-07. 6/6 ROH Results: Carbondale, Illinois (Adam Cole vs. ACH) . WrestleView. Retrieved on 2014-06-08.
14. ↑ Show Results – 6/7 ROH in Collinsville, Ill.: Cole defends ROH Title, Tag Title main event, final show pre-BITW PPV . Pro Wrestling Torch (2014-06-08). Retrieved on 2014-06-08.
15. ↑ Caldwell, James 2014-06-22. Caldwell's ROH "Best in the World" PPV results 6/22: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live cable PPV debut . Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved on 2014-06-23.
16. ↑ Caldwell, James 2014-08-10. Caldwell's New Japan G1 Climax finals results 8/10: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Okada vs. Nakamura tournament finals, Styles vs. Tanahashi, Jeff Jarrett, ROH tag champs, more . Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved on 2014-08-10.
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Gee Schoon Tong, Chris 2014-11-09. Show results - 11/8 ROH Survival of the Fittest Night 2: Adam Cole wins two-night tournament, Briscoes vs. Daniels & Kaz, more . Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved on 2014-11-09.
18. ↑ Caldwell, James 2014-12-07. Caldwell's ROH Final Battle 2014 PPV results 12/7: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live PPV from New York City . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2014-12-13.
19. ↑ Caldwell, James 2014-12-12. News: Adam Cole announces injury, will require surgery . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2014-12-13.
20. ↑ Johnson, Mike 2015-05-12. Complete ROH-New Japan War of the Worlds coverage from Philadelphia . *Pro Wrestling Insider*. Retrieved on 2015-05-12.
21. ↑ Caldwell, James 2015-09-18. Caldwell's ROH ASE PPV report 9/18: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of All-Star Extravaganza - Jay Lethal defends two titles, ANX, more . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2015-09-19.
22. ↑ Caldwell, James 2016-05-08. 5/8 ROH Global Wars PPV Results – Caldwell's Complete Live Report . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2016-05-08.
23. ↑ The results are in from the history making Death Before Dishonor . *Ring of Honor* (2016-08-20). Retrieved on 2016-08-20.
24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Caldwell, James 2016-08-19. 8/19 ROH Death Before Dishonor PPV Results – Caldwell's Live Report . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2016-08-19.
25. ↑ Destruction in Hiroshima  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2016-09-22.
26. ↑ Destruction in Kobe  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2016-09-25.
27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Adam Cole . Evolve. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved on 2010-11-28.
28. ↑ Massingham, Matt 2012-09-02. 9/2 PWG results Reseda, Calif.: Complete results from BOLA Night 2 with finals of tourney . Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved on 2012-09-02.
29. ↑ Namako, Jason 2012-10-04. ROH on Sinclair Results – 9/29/12 . WrestleView. Retrieved on 2013-01-03.
30. ↑ Namako, Jason 2012-03-19. ROH on Sinclair Results – 3/17/12 . WrestleView. Retrieved on 2013-05-30. “Cole then hooks Silvio and hits the Florida Key (Cross-Armed German Suplex) for the victory.”
31. ↑ Carapola, Stuart 2013-03-20. Adam Cole – Panama's Finest DVD Review: Cole discusses his career thus far in a 75 minute shoot interview, plus an assortment of Future Shock matches, the 10th Anniversary main event, Hybrid Rules, and more . Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved on 2013-05-30.
32. ↑ ROH house show report 5-18 Richmond (updated) . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Retrieved on 2013-09-17. “Adam Cole def. Adam Page in 09:57 with the Florida Key (X-Plex)”
33. ↑ Trinfo, Richard 2013-09-28. Ring of Honor television report: title tournament semifinals featuring Steen versus Elgin and Cole versus Ciampa . Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved on 2013-10-13. “Cole with a neck breaker from a suplex position.”
34. ↑ Carapola, Stuart 2012-10-13. Complete ROH Glory By Honor XI coverage . Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved on 2013-10-13. “Cole counters to a vertical suplex into a neckbreaker.”
35. ↑ Radican, Sean 2013-01-12. Radican's PWG DVD Review Series: "Battle of Los Angeles 2012: Night 2" (9/2/12) - BOLA Finals, rise of Adam Cole as a heel, Generico-Steen feud continues . Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved on 2013-10-13. “Cole hit a low blow and suplex into a neck breaker over his knee for a nearfall.”
36. ↑ Namako, Jason 2013-07-20. ROH on Sinclair Results - 7/20/13 (Briscoe/Hardy - World Title) . WrestleView. Retrieved on 2013-10-13. “Cole lifts up Strong, fireman's carry neckbreaker for a nearfall.”
37. ↑ Namako, Jason 2013-08-08. Jason Namako recaps PWG Is your Body Ready? . WrestleView. Retrieved on 2013-10-13. “Fireman's Carry Neckbreaker by Cole for 2.”
38. ↑ Namako, Jason 2013-09-28. ROH on Sinclair Results - 9/28/13 (World Title Tournament Semi-Finals) . WrestleView. Retrieved on 2013-10-13. “Cole catches him and hits the Fireman's Carry Neckbreaker for a nearfall.”
39. ↑ Namako, Jason 2013-09-03. Jason Namako recaps ROH Reclamation: Night 2 . WrestleView. Retrieved on 2013-10-13. “Cole with an enziguri, then a fireman's carry neckbreaker for a close nearfall.”
40. ↑ Campbell, Brian 2013-12-28. ROH Report - The Career of Adam Cole . Fight Network. Retrieved on 2014-05-03.
41. ↑ Howell, Nolan 2013-09-20. ROH Death Before Dishonor XI: Cole crowned champ in show of technical miscues . *Slam! Sports*. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved on 2014-05-03.
42. ↑ Trinfo, Richard 2013-09-28. Ring of Honor television report: title tournament semifinals featuring Steen versus Elgin and Cole versus Ciampa . Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved on 2013-10-13. “Cole with a neck breaker from a suplex position.”
43. ↑ Carapola, Stuart 2012-10-13. Complete ROH Glory By Honor XI coverage . Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved on 2013-10-13. “Cole counters to a vertical suplex into a neckbreaker.”
44. ↑ Radican, Sean 2013-01-12. Radican's PWG DVD Review Series: "Battle of Los Angeles 2012: Night 2" (9/2/12) - BOLA Finals, rise of Adam Cole as a heel, Generico-Steen feud continues . Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved on 2013-10-13. “Cole hit a low blow and suplex into a neck breaker over his knee for a nearfall.”
45. ↑ ROH on Sinclair Results - 3/8/14 (Cole vs. Hero - ROH Title) . Wrestleview (2014-03-10). Retrieved on 2014-05-17.
46. ↑ Ring of Honor Wrestling #115 Nov. 30, 2013
47. ↑ [Q]Brick 2014-05-22. "Shot'Em" Bullet Club 2nd Theme . SoundCloud. Retrieved on 2014-11-10.
48. ↑ Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2014 . The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved on 2014-09-26.
49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 Howell, Nolan 2013-09-20. ROH Death Before Dishonor XI: Cole crowned champ in show of technical miscues . *Slam! Sports*. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved on 2013-09-21.
50. ↑ Ring of Honor Championships . *Ring of Honor*. Retrieved on 2013-09-17.
51. ↑ ROH World Tag Team Championship #1 Contendership Lottery Tournament .
52. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (January 26, 2011). "Biggest issue of the year: The 2011 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards Issue". *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Campbell, CA: 1–40. ISSN 1083-9593.