The bitter rivalry between Kyle O’Reilly and Adam Cole, once brothers in the Undisputed ERA, came to an end at NXT TakeOver 36. After a grueling 2-out-of-3 Falls Match, O’Reilly fought through incredible pain to vanquish Adam Cole.
The Undisputed Finale’s first fall, a standard match (which O’Reilly selected), started out without any feeling-out process, Cole and O’Reilly charging at each other with big boots. The action was fast and furious as Cole gained the upper hand, eventually scaling the ropes for Panama Sunrise. However, O’Reilly was able to counter and roll Cole up for a three-count to win the first fall.
No time was wasted getting into the second fall, Cole’s choice: a Street Fight. That choice worked against Cole in the opening moments, as O’Reilly put a trash can over his head and dropkicked him. But soon after, Cole knocked his former partner from the top rope to the floor, O’Reilly clutching his ribs in agony. That gave Cole a target, as he battered O’Reilly with kendo stick shots. When that didn’t put O’Reilly down, the Street Fight took an ugly turn, with chains and chairs being used as weapons of punishment. Cole claimed victory in the Street Fight after dumping O’Reilly off the ropes onto a pair of steel chairs, then clobbering him with the Last Shot.
The Steel Cage for the third fall began to surround the ring, but it looked like O’Reilly was in no shape to continue as WWE medical staff checked on him. That didn’t stop Cole from ruthlessly attacking him, eventually powerbombing him and rolling O’Reilly back into the ring. The Steel Cage was locked in place and the final fall began.
Cole thought he had the advantage with O’Reilly weakened to the point of victory, but his confidence may have cost him. Instead of choosing to escape the cage and win, Cole opted to inflict more punishment, driving O’Reilly into the canvas with Panama Sunrise. That wasn’t enough to satisfy Cole, who grabbed a pair of handcuffs and chained O’Reilly to the cage. That was his downfall, as O’Reilly snatched him in a Heel Hook, forcing Cole to tap out.
The final chapter of the Undisputed ERA has been written, and it ended with Kyle O’Reilly standing tall after an absolute war.