The WWE calls their NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn show the "WrestleMania" of NXT. However, this year's event was even more than that. While WrestleMania often has the conclusion of long-running storylines and is the "end of the year" for the WWE, this year's TakeOver: Brooklyn event seemed more like a new beginning.
This year's giant Brooklyn event included what can only be described as a Ring Of Honor invasion of NXT.
The WWE debut of Adam Cole
The main event of the WWE NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn show saw long-running champion, Bobby Roode, defending his NXT title against Drew McIntyre.
Roode, who previously broke the record for the longest Impact Wrestling world title reign of all-time at 256 days, had held the NXT title for 203 days, winning it in January from Shinsuke Nakamura.
His title reign came to an end at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn when Drew McIntyre pinned him to complete his comeback to the WWE. McIntyre was supposed to be a star when he debuted in the WWE many years ago but ended up pushed down to a newly refreshed NXT and actually lost in the first round of the original tournament to crown the first NXT champion (which was Seth Rollins). Now, McIntyre is finally on top in NXT.
However, that reign might not last long. After the match, Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish (ReDRagon) came out and stood on the ring apron.
They then attacked Drew McIntyre and then Adam Cole ran out of the crowd and joined in. The three former Ring of Honor champions beat down McIntyre and stood strong at the end of NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn.
Who is Adam Cole?
As reported earlier, ReDRagon debuted in NXT tonight as well. Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish were former Ring of Honor tag team champions and reunited in Wwe Nxt when they attacked the new NXT tag team champions SAnitY earlier on NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn.
They weren't finished when they came out to help Adam Cole.
These men have more in common than just wrestling in Ring of Honor at the same time. Before Kyle O'Reilly stated teaming with Bobby Fish in ROH, he was teaming with Adam Cole as Future Shock. They never won tag team titles but both men were incredibly successful after their break-up.
While ReDRagon were second to only The Briscoe Brothers when it comes to tag team title reigns and length of time as champions, Adam Cole is the only man in Ring of Honor history to hold the ROH world title three different times. His second reign came when he lost the title to Kyle O'Reilly and then he won it back for his third, and record-setting title reign.
Now, all three men are in WWE NXT and it looks like the Ring of Honor invasion has begun.
