Wrestling fans worldwide were energized when Adam Cole burst onto the scene at last night’s NXT TaKeOv3R br0OkLYn event, but many are questioning whether the younger Cole has what it takes to follow in the huge footsteps of his legendary father, Michael. 

Long considered one of the greatest in-ring performers in sports-entertainment history, Michael Cole has set the bar impossibly high for his son, whose grappling and aerial abilities are not yet in the same league as his father’s. 

The elder Cole is perhaps best known for his WrestleMania 27 victory over Jerry “The King” Lawler — an epic battle that earned Cole the nickname “Mr. WrestleMania,” and earned an unprecedented 14-star rating from wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer. 

Adam, meanwhile, has thus far had an unremarkable career in Ring of Honor and other independent promotions, where he performed under the monicker “Baybay Cole.” 

Although he admits he has “huge shoes to fill,” the younger Cole hopes he can make his father proud, or “at least not bring shame to the Cole legacy.”