At AEW All In 2025, Adam Cole delivered a deeply emotional promo as he announced he would be stepping away from competition for an indefinite period. The former WWE NXT Champion was forced to relinquish the TNT Championship, a title he had held since April, after being medically cleared unable to defend it against Kyle Fletcher.
Title Relinquishment and Upcoming Four-Way Match
Originally scheduled to defend his TNT Championship against Kyle Fletcher, Cole was sidelined before the event due to health concerns. The promotion then announced a four-way bout involving Kyle Fletcher, Dustin Rhodes, Daniels Garcia, and Sammy Guevara to determine the new TNT Champion. Before this match took place at Globe Life Field in Texas, Cole addressed the crowd with a heartfelt speech.
Emotional Promo Hints at Possible Retirement
During his address, Cole initially avoided discussing retirement directly but soon became overcome with emotion. He confirmed that he
would be gone for a while.
—Adam Cole, AEW Wrestler
The tears reflected the toll that a series of injuries, sustained over his AEW run since 2021, have taken on his career. While his future remains uncertain, his vulnerable moment suggested that a break or possible retirement could be on the horizon.
What Lies Ahead for Adam Cole and AEW Fans
Adam Cole’s absence leaves a significant gap in AEW’s roster, especially after he had been a dominant TNT Champion. Fans now await news on his health and potential return while the new champion will emerge from a fiercely contested four-way match. Cole’s emotional farewell at All In highlights the physical and mental challenges wrestlers endure, adding a somber tone to the Texas event and uncertainty about the future of one of AEW’s top stars.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Adam Cole apologize to Pat McAfee?
A. McAfee criticized Cole’s time as NXT Champion and his height, among other things. Cole responded by throwing down a microphone and yelling at McAfee. He also pushed McAfee’s co-host before leaving. Today, Cole apologized on Twitter, saying he’s ashamed of how he handled McAfee’s remarks.
