5 Adam Cole Matches Dave Meltzer Overrated ( & 5 He Underrated ) 

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Adam Cole has been one of All Elite Wrestling's most sweltering stars since his presentation at the All Out Pay - Per - View last September , proceeding to enchant watchers with his incredible matches , amazing promotions , and exceptionally engaging person work . Whether beforehand in WWE's NXT dominant as head of the Undisputed Era , or much prior , dwelling in ROH where he would proceed to join Bullet Club , Cole never disappoints regardless of the stage . RELATED : Adam Cole's Last 10 Losses , Ranked Worst To Best However , there have been various matches all through Cole's vocation which have been both , over celebrated , or under advertised , by Dave Meltzer at the ' Wrestling Observer Newsletter ' and his star - rating framework .Overrated : Vs. Keith Lee , NXT Championship and NXT North American Championship , Winner Takes All , WWE NXT # 411 - The Great American Bash 4.25 * A generally excellent counterpart for the two Coles NXT Championship , and Keith Lee's NXT North American Championship , in this high stakes first - time meeting with Lee arising the victor . Anyway , the two didn't stun watchers with a phenomenal appearance as 4.25 * would propose . While the in - ring work was still areas of strength for extremely the two assumed their parts phenomenally , an absence of a live group and a sluggish speed for the majo the coordinate hurt this by and large . While the
finish was enchanting similar to the outcome , it was sufficiently not to raise this past essentially great . Misjudged : Vs. Finn Balor , NXT Championship , WWE NXT # 420 - Super Tuesday II , 3.75 * This was a phenomenal opening counterpart for the empty NXT Championship between Finn Balor and Cole that merited essentially higher than 3.75 * from Dave Meltzer . With mind blowing pacing , the coordinate started with mat work and smart brain science , changing into a splendid presentation of counter wrestling . Phenomenal groupings , heavenly moves , and a rankling shutting stretch drove t arising successful in a fantastic NXT Championship TV session .Overrated : Vs. Kyle O'Reilly , Two Out Of Three Falls , WWE NXT TakeOver : 36 , 4.5 * An excellent Two Out of Three Falls match between unpleasant opponents Cole and Kyle O'Reilly to close their NXT blood fight , however not without its imperfections . Because of the expectation , the match felt surged especially the primary fall . Regardless of having snapshots of fervor and mercilessness also , the group were against the babyface O'Reilly which hurt procedures . The completion additionally failed with Cole tapping out in counter-intuitive design as the group booed O'Reilly . An excellent match notwithstanding , however one that positions essentially lower than 4.5 * .Underrated : Vs. Kyle O'Reilly , Hybrid Fighting Rules Match , ROH Best In The World 2012 - Hostage Crisis , 4 * An astounding conflict between Kyle O'Reilly and Cole in their most memorable ROH meeting as the two youthful stars destroyed the house at 2012s Best in the World occasion . A star - making execution for both in a ROH exemplary as the two exchanged merciless strikes , including a progression of kicks that left Cole losing teeth and draining unreasonably from the mouth . RELATED : The 10 Best Kyle O'Reilly Matches , According To Cagematch.netThe swarm were red - hot as the two captivated watchers with their inconceivable intensit battling soul . Cole would win with the 2022 battling soul . Cole would win with the Figure Four Leg Lock in a genuine traveler that merited significantly more than 4 * . Misrepresented : Vs. ' Hangman ' Adam Page , Texas Deathmatch , AEW World Championship , AEW Rampage # 37 , 4.5 * An extremely impressive Texas Deathmatch in this second AEW World Championship meeting among Cole and champion Adam Page , however not an astounding match as 4.5 * would suggest . A hot group , fantastic utilization of weapons , extraordinary force , and enthralling person work positively prompted a grea World Championship match entrance Q there was never fully that here . Anyway , there was never entirely that second that raised this to the level of a magnificent session . Underestimated : Vs. Pete Dunne and Ricochet , Triple Threat , NXT North American Championship , WWE NXT # 321 , 4 * Incredible triple danger coordinate for Ricochet's NXT North American Championship here , with the three destroying the house in thrilling style . Dynamite spots , riveting successions , sublime inventiveness , this was a delightfully created triple danger with each star assuming their part to consummate The group was red - hot for the rankling
activity as the show expanded , with Ricochet holding after a 450 - springboard sprinkle . An exciting triple danger and unquestionably misjudged by Dave Meltzer at 4 * . Misrepresented : Vs. Tommaso Ciampa , NXT Championship , WWE NXT TakeOver : Portland , 4.75 * This was an extraordinary NXT Championship coordinate with Tommaso Ciampa testing Cole in the headliner of NXT TakeOver : Portland . Anyway , surely not a 4.75 * exemplary as Dave Meltzer proposes . The activity was perfect between the two stars through however the match unwound once the overbooking started , regardless of whether it added to the tension and show at focuses with astounding close to falls . RELATED : 10 Best NXT Championship Matches , According To Dave Meltzerlt was profoundly unsurprising , anyway , with the Undisputed Era obstruction and ref knock , finished off by a ridiculous heel turn for Johnny Gargano . A tangled match toward the end that actually positions as incredible by and large , yet that's it . Misjudged : Vs. Kyle2nd point WWE digital marketing in US,. Adam Cole has been one of All Elite Wrestling's hottest stars since his debut at the All Out Pay - Per - View last September , continuing to enrapture viewers with his fantastic matches , excellent promos , and highly entertaining character work . Whether previously in WWE's NXT reigning as leader of the Undisputed Era , or even earlier , residing in ROH where he would go on to join Bullet Club , Cole never fails to impress no matter the stage . RELATED : Adam Cole's Last 10 Losses , Ranked Worst To Best However , there have been numerous matches throughout Cole's career which have been both , over glorified , or under hyped , by Dave Meltzer at the ' Wrestling Observer Newsletter ' and his star - rating system .Overrated : Vs. Keith Lee , NXT Championship & NXT North American Championship , Winner Takes All , WWE NXT # 411 - The Great American Bash 4.25 * A very good match for both Coles NXT Championship , and Keith Lee's NXT North American Championship , in this high stakes first - time meeting with Lee emerging the victor . However , the two did not dazzle viewers with a fantastic showing as 4.25 * would suggest . While the in - ring work was still very strong and the two played their roles excellently , a lack of a live crowd and a slow pace for the majo the match up hurt this overall . While the
finish was enthralling as was the result , it was not enough to elevate this beyond simply good . Underrated : Vs. Finn Balor , NXT Championship , WWE NXT # 420 - Super Tuesday II , 3.75 * This was a fantastic opening match for the vacant NXT Championship between Finn Balor and Cole that deserved significantly higher than 3.75 * from Dave Meltzer . With splendid pacing , the match began with mat work and clever psychology , transitioning into a brilliant display of counter wrestling . Excellent sequences , superb maneuvers , and a blistering closing stretch led t emerging victorious in a spectacular NXT Championship television bout .Overrated : Vs. Kyle O'Reilly , Two Out Of Three Falls , WWE NXT TakeOver : 36 , 4.5 * A very good Two Out of Three Falls match between bitter rivals Cole and Kyle O'Reilly to close their NXT blood feud , but not without its flaws . Due to the stipulation , the match felt rushed particularly the first fall . Despite having moments of excitement and brutality as well , the crowd were against the babyface O'Reilly which hurt proceedings . The finish also fell flat with Cole tapping out in nonsensical fashion as the crowd booed O'Reilly . A very good match regardless , but one that ranks significantly lower than 4.5 * .Underrated : Vs. Kyle O'Reilly , Hybrid Fighting Rules Match , ROH Best In The World 2012 – Hostage Crisis , 4 * An amazing war between Kyle O'Reilly and Cole in their first ROH meeting as the two young stars tore the house down at 2012s Best in the World event . A star - making performance for both in an ROH classic as the two traded brutal strikes , including a series of kicks that left Cole losing teeth and bleeding excessively from the mouth . RELATED : The 10 Best Kyle O'Reilly Matches , According To Cagematch.netThe crowd were red - hot as the two enamored viewers with their incredible intensit fighting spirit . Cole would triumph with the 2022 fighting spirit . Cole would triumph with the Figure Four Leg Lock in a true barnstormer that deserved much more than 4 * . Overrated : Vs. ' Hangman ' Adam Page , Texas Deathmatch , AEW World Championship , AEW Rampage # 37 , 4.5 * A very strong Texas Deathmatch in this second AEW World Championship meeting between Cole and champion Adam Page , but not an amazing match as 4.5 * would imply . A hot crowd , excellent use of weapons , great intensity , and captivating character work certainly led to a grea World Championship match on Ramp Q there was never quite that here . However , there was never quite that moment that elevated this to the level of a superb bout . Underrated : Vs. Pete Dunne & Ricochet , Triple Threat , NXT North American Championship , WWE NXT # 321 , 4 * Incredible triple threat match for Ricochet's NXT North American Championship here , with the three tearing the house down in exhilarating fashion . Spectacular spots , riveting sequences , superb creativity , this was a beautifully crafted triple threat with each star playing their role to perfect The crowd was red - hot for the blistering 
action as the drama increased , with Ricochet retaining after a 450 - springboard splash . A sensational triple threat and incredibly underrated by Dave Meltzer at 4 * . Overrated : Vs. Tommaso Ciampa , NXT Championship , WWE NXT TakeOver : Portland , 4.75 * This was a great NXT Championship match with Tommaso Ciampa challenging Cole in the main event of NXT TakeOver : Portland . However , certainly not a 4.75 * classic as Dave Meltzer suggests . The action was great between the two stars through but the match unraveled once the overbooking began , even if it added to the suspense and drama at points with amazing near falls . RELATED : 10 Best NXT Championship Matches , According To Dave Meltzerlt was highly predictable , however , with the Undisputed Era interference and ref bump , topped off by a ludicrous heel turn for Johnny Gargano . A convoluted match by the end that still ranks as great overall , but nothing more . Underrated : Vs. Kyle