Wrestling

Adam Cole Expresses Interest in NJPW Return: What It Could Mean for His Career

February 26, 2025
Judium Media

Adam Cole, an AEW star, has never held back from sharing his passion for professional wrestling with the world.

Cole revealed in a recent interview that he wants to rejoin New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), a promotion where he had a significant influence prior to signing with WWE and then AEW. 

Cole’s History with NJPW

Adam Cole had a notable tenure in NJPW and was a prominent member of Ring of Honor (ROH) prior to making waves in AEW. As a member of the Bullet Club, Cole engaged in feuds with prominent figures such as Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega, which helped elevate the faction’s standing in both promotions.

Cole established himself as one of the top technical wrestlers in the business during his tenure in NJPW, won the ROH World Championship, and participated in major tournaments like Wrestle Kingdom.

His tenure with NJPW was short-lived, though, as he joined WWE in 2017 and established himself as a mainstay of NXT under Triple H’s direction.

Why Adam Cole Wants to Return to NJPW

Despite his success in WWE and AEW, Cole has always spoken highly of NJPW’s hard-hitting, strong-style wrestling, as well as the passionate Japanese fanbase. In his interview, Cole expressed a strong desire to compete once again in Japan, stating:

“New Japan Pro Wrestling has some of the best wrestlers in the world. When I was there, it was an incredible experience, and I feel like I have unfinished business. I’d love to go back, mix it up with the current roster, and prove that I’m still one of the best in the world.”

Given AEW and NJPW’s collaborative relationship, a possible comeback is more than just a pipe dream. Crossover matches are now possible thanks to AEW and NJPW’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view, and Cole might be a big draw at a future event.

Potential Dream Matches in NJPW

If Adam Cole does return to NJPW, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few dream matches that fans would love to see:

  • Adam Cole vs. Will Ospreay – A battle of two of the best high-flyers and technical wrestlers today.
  • Adam Cole vs. Tetsuya Naito – A clash of charisma and in-ring mastery.
  • Adam Cole vs. Kazuchika Okada – A rematch from their 2017 encounter, but this time with a different dynamic.
  • Adam Cole vs. Shingo Takagi – A hard-hitting match that could steal the show.

What’s Next for Adam Cole?

A return to NJPW would be a major chapter in Cole’s already outstanding career, even though he is currently concentrating on his AEW career. Cole’s return to the New Japan ring is inevitable given AEW’s latitude in permitting talent to compete in NJPW.

For now, fans can only speculate, but one thing is certain—wherever Adam Cole goes, he makes an impact.

Would you like to see Adam Cole back in NJPW? Let us know in the comments!