They came from the indie circuit, ROH, and Japan. Everywhere they've been, they've won gold, and dazzled audiences with their modern American strong style.
They're the Undisputed Era, and they are the future of pro wrestling. Gone are the days of steroid-infused behemoths who can barely limp around the ring. This is a new era, one that values skill and technique more than brute strength, where technical acumen earns you a seat at the table a long time before being tall will.
By hiring these athletes, the WWE has proven that they are in touch with what's trending with the ever-fickle wrestling audience. Here are seven reasons why the Undisputed Era will be on the top of the wrestling world in the near future.
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#1 Sheer brutality
Kyle O'Reilly has trained in martial arts his whole life, and Bobby Fish is no slouch in the striking department, either. Even Adam Cole has some stiff shots, like his brutal superkick.
The Undisputed Era have mixed the Japanese Strong Style with the American Indie style to create a unique experience for the fans. Who says junior weight wrestlers can't hit as hard as heavyweights? When you get in the ring with the Undisputed Era, you better be ready to fight.
#2 Willingness to 'bend' the rules
Much like factions that have come before such as the nWo and the Four Horsemen, the Undisputed Era isn't afraid to bend or even break the rules.
Their philosophy is, you have to break a few eggs to make an omelette, and if pulling tights or interfering in each other's matches will lead to victory then so be it. The fact that they are tremendously skilled and could win without cheating is beside the point. They're willing to be rule breakers to get ahead, and that's a hallmark of many great wrestlers from Ric Flair to Triple H.
#3 Deep Respect for each other
In the world of pro wrestling, it often helps if you have a 'crew' when you're on the road. They can help you with travel, finding a gym, and watching your back at the bar after the show, in case a few of the locals take the in-ring action too seriously.
Cole, O'Reilly, and Fish have been friends, rivals, and competitors with each other for years. Cole and O'Reilly were once a tag team called Future Shock, while Fish and O'Reilly are world famous as ReDragon. Undisputed Era trains together, travel together, and stands together as a unit, making the whole stronger than the sum of its parts.
#4 Bobby Fish's charisma
When you have a wrestler with undeniable charisma, what do you do? You give them their own talk show, of course!
Chris Jericho has the Highlight Reel, Roddy Piper had Piper's Pit, and Bobby Fish has The Fish Tank. While O'Reilly and Cole are certainly no slouches on the microphone, Bobby Fish is one of the most natural, entertaining talents to ever hold the mike, and his gift of gab will aid the Undisputed Era in their endeavours.
#5 Kyle O'Reilly's MMA background.
While there are many wrestlers who study MMA--such as CM Punk and the Undertaker--they simply don't put the amount of effort in that Kyle O'Reilly has.
O'Reilly has Diabetes and was told by doctors that he would never be a top-tier athlete. Kyle didn't let that diagnosis slow him down, and trains like a maniac in no less than eight different sports.
His strong striking game and technical submission mastery put his head and shoulders above anyone on the NXT roster (with the possible exception of Shayna Bayzler).
#6 Technical wizardry
Simply put, the Undisputed Era are three of the finest ring technicians of their generation....and maybe ANY generation.
With deep move sets, strong strikes, and even high flying offence, the Undisputed Era can wrestle literally any type of match. And they're no strangers to the hardcore style, either. Adam Cole won his first ROH championship in a ladder match against one of the most brutal fighters in wrestling, Jay Briscoe.
Their technical wrestling will aid them greatly as they ascend to the top spot in the WWE.
#7 They've already faced and beaten some of the world's best talent
The Undisputed Era aren't some rookies called up into the big leagues. They're elite wrestlers who've been all over the world and won multiple championships along the way.
Cole and O'Reilly have held the ROH heavyweight title--which many argue is the belt given to the most gifted technical wrestler in North America--and Bobby Fish has been ROH TV champion. As ReDragon, Fish and O'Reilly have multiple championship reigns in both ROH and Japan.
The trio's experience in big money matches against top-tier talent proves they have the goods to make it all the way to the top in the WWE.
Seven reasons why the Undisputed Era are the future of wrestling. Better get used to seeing those T-shirts in the crowd.
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