Wrestler Profile

Adam Cole

Adam Cole — bay bay — turned a three-word catchphrase into one of wrestling's most beloved signatures. The Panama City Playboy led the Undisputed Era to NXT dominance, becoming the brand's longest-reigning champion and its defining star during the black-and-gold era's peak years.

Before WWE, he was a three-time Ring of Honor World Champion and Bullet Club member; after, he joined AEW in a blockbuster 2021 debut alongside Bryan Danielson. His AEW run survived a serious head injury and a devastating broken ankle, then delivered the story of 2023: the MJF friendship saga, which walked the line between comedy and tragedy before the inevitable betrayal.

As TNT Champion and leader of the Paragon, Cole remains one of wrestling's most naturally likable performers — a big-match talker with the fanbase in his palm. WrestleRanks voting has always reflected it: Adam Cole, bay bay, moves numbers.

Promotions

Adam Cole is associated with AEW (2024–2026), ROH and NXT.

Championship history

PWI rankings history

Adam Cole has been ranked in the PWI 500 11 times, first at No. 417 in 2010 and most recently at No. 55 in 2025. The highest placement is No. 2, reached in 2020.

Placements by year: 2010 (No. 417), 2011 (No. 115), 2012 (No. 75), 2013 (No. 55), 2014 (No. 9), 2015 (No. 39), 2018 (No. 21), 2020 (No. 2), 2021 (No. 37), 2022 (No. 18), 2025 (No. 55).

Compiled from the annual rankings published by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. See the 2025 edition.

Teams and factions

Past faction affiliations include The Elite and The Undisputed Era.

Adam Cole in the WrestleRanks rankings

Adam Cole is tracked as a technical wrestler on WrestleRanks. WrestleRanks standings are decided one week at a time, from fan voting and editor input. Read more about how our rankings work, or see the live, interactive profile with weekly rank history and voting on the Adam Cole ranking page.

More AEW wrestlers

MJF · Darby Allin · Jon Moxley · Will Ospreay · Kenny Omega · Jay White