Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O’Reilly debuted in NXT in 2017, forming the Undisputed Era. Once they recruited Roderick Strong, the group became unstoppable. Running through the NXT roster like a knife through butter, they became the most dominant stable in WWE since The Shield, winning every major NXT championship – at one point holding them all simultaneously.
Their dominance lasted nearly four years before cracks began to show. Those cracks split wide open when Adam Cole turned on the group, superkicking O’Reilly in a shocking betrayal. This has now led to an eagerly anticipated showdown between Cole and O’Reilly at the next NXT TakeOver, an Unsanctioned Match that already has fans predicting one of the year’s best bouts.
It’s no surprise anticipation is high – the members of the Undisputed Era have a long history of facing each other in high-profile matches across the globe. Here are five of the best.
ReDRagon vs. Adam Cole & Roderick Strong (ROH Conquest Tour 2016)
Given their extensive history, pairing these four together made perfect sense. Strong and Fish had been feuding over the ROH Television Title, while O’Reilly and Cole had clashed over nearly every major belt in ROH.
Cole and Strong controlled the pace for much of the match, with Fish and O’Reilly fighting from underneath. The finish came when Strong connected with his high knee for the win.
What stood out was the instant chemistry. While they’d all faced each other in various combinations before, it was rare to have all four together. The action was crisp, each man seemingly anticipating the other’s next move.
It also gave Cole and Strong a chance to adapt to a pure tag team style – something they weren’t as accustomed to – which produced some fresh and entertaining moments. Coming near the end of their ROH runs, this chemistry may well have influenced WWE’s decision to unite them in 2017.
Roderick Strong vs. Bobby Fish (WrestleJam 8)
This match dates back to the early days of both men’s careers, when they looked far from the grizzled veterans we know today. The setting – a Boys and Girls Club – came with a less-than-engaged crowd, but the action was top-notch.
Working heel, Strong controlled much of the match. Fish fought back hard, showcasing chain wrestling well beyond his years. Their strikes were impressively stiff for such young talents, with the occasional unpulled shot slipping through.
Strong eventually hit the high knee and followed with a Tiger Bomb for the victory. While the crowd may not have appreciated it, the match is a fascinating look at the roots of two future NXT stars.
Adam Cole vs. Bobby Fish – ROH World Championship (Manhattan Mayhem)
After winning his record-setting third ROH World Championship, Adam Cole was at his most arrogant. Bobby Fish, fresh off a Survival of the Fittest win, earned his first world title shot in two years.
Cole played the cocky heel to perfection, trash-talking throughout – something made even more effective by the intimate venue. Fish countered with his trademark submission work, targeting multiple limbs to wear Cole down.
The match ended with Cole reversing a Fish submission into a pin, grabbing a handful of tights for the cheap win. It was classic heel tactics, but it also elevated Fish, showing he had Cole’s number and legitimising him as a singles threat.
Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly – ROH World Championship (Final Battle 2016)
In the lead-up, Cole had been ducking matches and resorting to every trick possible to keep the belt. O’Reilly demanded a no disqualification stipulation to prevent any escapes.
This was O’Reilly’s redemption story – the veteran who had never won the big one finally overcoming his nemesis. The match was one of the bloodiest in ROH history, with weapons, brawling, and even thumbtacks making appearances.
Both men used their surroundings creatively, incorporating weapons into their offence rather than just swinging them. When O’Reilly finally won, the emotion from the crowd – and from O’Reilly himself – was palpable.
Kyle O’Reilly vs. Adam Cole – ROH World Championship (Wrestle Kingdom 11)
After O’Reilly’s win at Final Battle, it was only a matter of time before Cole got his rematch – and it came on one of wrestling’s grandest stages, NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 11.
In contrast to their chaotic no-DQ clash, this match was a technical showcase. O’Reilly targeted Cole’s arms and legs, methodically wearing him down. Cole fought back with high-impact offence and timely heel tactics, eventually regaining the championship.
While Cole left as champion, O’Reilly’s performance cemented him as a top singles star. Together, the two proved they could deliver very different – but equally compelling – matches within just a few months.
The story of the Undisputed Era isn’t just about dominance in NXT – it’s also about the chemistry and history these four men shared long before WWE ever put them under the same banner. Their matches against each other, whether in ROH, NJPW, or on the independent scene, showed the versatility and skill that made the faction so special.
Fast forward to 2025, and their paths have taken very different turns:
- Adam Cole – Sidelined due to health issues; vacated the AEW TNT Championship at All In: Texas and is currently out of action, with his in-ring future uncertain.
- Kyle O’Reilly – Returned from a long neck injury in 2024 and is active in AEW in 2025 as part of The Paragon alongside Cole and Strong.
- Roderick Strong – Active in AEW, held the AEW International Championship earlier in 2025, and remains a featured presence on television.
- Bobby Fish – Wrestling regularly for MLW and on the independent circuit, appearing in events like Battle Riot VII and various international bookings.
Though they’ve gone their separate ways, the legacy of the Undisputed Era – and the battles they fought against each other – remains a reminder of how rare it is to find four wrestlers who can deliver together or apart, in any combination, on any stage.
