Following NXT TakeOver 36, there seems to be some relatively uncertainty when it comes to the status of Adam Cole's contract with WWE. One report had him officially becoming a free agent. That report was later updated. Another report suggests that his status as a free agent status is right around the corner. Meanwhile, no one seems to know for sure if Cole is actually staying or leaving WWE.
Mike Johnson of PW Insider wrote on Tuesday, "WWE sources have confirmed that Adam Cole has departed the company." He adds, "It is not a case of Cole having signed a new deal for the main roster and being hidden until his debut. If he comes to terms with WWE at a later time, obviously he could return."
The report goes on to suggest that he could certainly be bound for AEW and that nothing will be mentioned of him signing until they are ready for him to debut. Talk of CM Punk's shoes having the initials "A.C." on them only fuel speculation that Cole is headed to TNT to join his friends and his girlfriend Britt Baker.
Johnson updated his own story later with a correction later in the day noting that Cole actually still has several days on "his deal to go, but internally, WWE considers him done with the company."
Meanwhile, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful is reporting that "I've seen the reports that Cole is already a free agent, and I've been told repeatedly that isn't true." He adds that he doesn't know the status of a non-compete clause because of Cole's short-term extension to get through NXT TakeOver 36 and added, "I haven't seen the contract. For all I know they could have agreed to a 30, 60, 90, 192830921098210 day non compete. I have no clue about the additional terms of Adam Cole's short-term extension."
Raj Giri of Wrestling Inc. wrote, "I'm pretty sure @SeanRossSapp is right. Personally when I first posted the exclusive on @WrestlingINC earlier this month about Adam Cole's contract expiring, I just heard it was up this month after SummerSlam weekend." Giri adds, "reports that Adam Cole's contract actually officially expires this Friday."
Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men Podcast writes, "A lot of people within WWE were under the impression that Cole would have a deal by now. In the last 48 hours, the feeling is shifted."
Cole Still Likely To Leave WWE?
None of the finer details being reported by multiple outlets seem to change the storyline here. While Cole could re-sign with WWE, the expectation seems to be that he'll be leaving the company when his contract officially expires and will eventually be joining AEW.
Still, none of that has been confirmed.