Austin Jenkins debuted under the name of Adam Cole for Combat Zone Wrestling back in 2008. Since then, Cole’s star rose to amazing heights on the independent scene. Cole is the first man to ever become a three time Ring Of Honor World Champion. He was also an ROH Television champion.
Cole has also wrestled for numerous independent wrestling promotions including New Japan Pro Wrestling and was the leader of the insanely popular Bullet Club.
Cole debuted in NXT at Takeover: Brooklyn, viciously attacking then NXT Champion Drew McIntyre. The former ROH World champ has made a nice impact in NXT thus far, forming the dominant faction, The Undisputed Era with fellow Ring of Honor buddies Kyle O” Reilly and Bobby Fish.
He’s coming off an excellent match against Aleister Black at NXT Takeover: Phidelphia and a hot performance in the Royal Rumble the next night. Cole recently spoke with Benjamin Raven of MLive.com to promote Saturday's WWE NXT live near Detroit.
Describing his first year or so with WWE as "just wild":
"I always think back to that first night in Brooklyn, where I debuted, and it was this total surprise. I just remember thinking, 'I hope they care, I hope they remember me.' The way they embraced me that night, I knew it was the start of something special."
Support from Kevin Owens:
"Kevin has always gone above and beyond in being supportive of me in my journey. To have him there to support me was awesome. Talk about another friendship that will never go away."
Believing in NXT and not going to RAW or SmackDown first:
"NXT is something I really believe in and still do. This is made up of young passionate people that want to make a name for themselves. I wanted to be a part of WWE, and part of NXT first as if I went to Raw or SmackDown right away I would always wonder what NXT would have been like. The coaches, the team and hands-on approach is really cool and I will be able to look back see how happy I was to be a part of this."