Brandon Galvin: You’ve been a favorite of ours for a long time now and we see you as a future megastar in the business. Over the years you’ve really developed into one of the top all-around performers and somebody with great intensity, but are there any areas you feel you need to improve on or would call weaknesses?
Adam Cole: Absolutely. I have said this before, I think the second you stop thinking you need to improve your capped off and can’t progress any further so 100% there are areas for improvement. As far as something outside the ring, while sitting out with the shoulder injury I’d like to get myself in the best possible shape I possibly could. I’m looking at coming into the PPV in the best shape I have been in a while. Trying to get myself not just back to where I was, but better than where I was. One of the things with me for a long time was I had a really quick metabolism. So I think my metabolism is finally slowing down and now I’ll really be able to work on that aspect of my game right now. Cosmetically things are just as important as stuff in the ring. I’m trying to improve my promo work because I am so passionate about promos in wrestling. The ability to give a good interview really is make-or-break for some people. Of course I am always trying to improve on stuff inside the ring as well. It’s tough to pinpoint one area as far as in ring work goes because I am always trying to get better. Every time I go back and watch my own stuff, I find a million things I would change. That’s the fun part about wrestling though: there is no such thing as being perfect. Everyone is always trying to get better all the time. There are areas of my game I will always work on and try to improve on.
Donald Wood: You have attended tryouts for WWE in the past. With the success of former Independent stars like Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn and Neville, how has NXT helped change the perception for wrestlers trying to make the jump to the WWE and does a run in NXT interest you when you’re time in ROH comes to a close?
Adam Cole: The entire game change with NXT here, I feel like pro-wrestlers are running the industry. Every area now, WWE, Ring of Honor, International exposure, the guys at the top are genuine born and bred wrestlers. It doesn’t matter your shape or size, if you’re a good pro-wrestler, not only will you have a job but you will be able to make a solid living as a pro-wrestler. With NXT though, anyone who says they don’t want to have a WrestleMania moment someday is kidding themselves. Of course I have entertained the idea of working with WWE someday. NXT is indeed the epic catalyst or best shot to getting up to the main roster. With the way things are going with Ring of Honor and how good they have been to me since the injury from 2010, I am not even thinking about WWE right now. I am totally focused on what we got going on with Ring of Honor. I am still young, I am 25 years old, the relationship with Ring of Honor and New Japan is fantastic for me. The fact Ring of Honor just got this television deal has really changed the game. You never know, if Ring of Honor continues to grow the way it is, it will be a legitimate place for guys to make a living in pro-wrestling for years to come. Ring of Honor is the place I call home, but like they say in pro-wrestling, never say never.
Donald Wood: how about your thoughts on Lucha Underground?
Adam Cole: I think it’s great for the business and I’m a big fan of their energy style. I am going to be honest; I have only seen a handful of their shows. I don’t religiously follow Lucha Underground but I have a lot of friends there and the fact is they get to make a living doing what they love to do. It’s a different product, and different in wrestling isn’t always good, but for Lucha Underground’s case it is good. I think it’s cool and different and the more places guys have to work and the more chances people get to watch wrestling the better it is. I think it’s great and Lucha Underground is doing great things.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
