Karrion Kross Adam Cole

Karrion Kross and Adam Cole are former NXT Champions, but WWE sees more potential in one. Also, WWE is finally acknowledging their awful ratings.

Karrion Kross Vs. Adam Cole

WWE NXT has a new dominating force with the return of Karrion Kross.

But how does the WWE compare Kross to that of long-standing leader Adam Cole?

According to Wresting Observer Radio and Dave Meltzer, WWE is watching to see how the viewership numbers come in comparing the run of Kross and that of Cole.

“Brian James said it, ‘Too bad (Cole) doesn’t look like Karrion Kross,'” Meltzer said. “I think that mentality right there is part of the problem. 

“As much as Karrion Kross gets pushed and as much work they do on his entrance, the fact is that Karrion is not over as Adam. But in their minds, Karrion is a potential star and Adam is an NXT guy that in and of itself may be the answer that they’re missing.”

The 35-year-old Kross made his wrestling debut in 2010. The New York City-born pro wrestler signed with the WWE earlier this year following runs with Lucha Libre AAA, Impact Wrestling and others.

He did make a one-off WWE appearance five years ago in a tag match with Darren Young.

Upon joining WWE NXT, Kross was thrust into a major role. At NXT TakeOver: XXX, he captured the NXT Championship with a victory over Keith Lee.

However, an injury suffered during the bout forced Kross to vacate the belt. He has since made his return, attacking Damian Priest.

Cole, 31 years old, made his debut in 2008 and was trained by such wrestlers as Shawn Michaels and Al Snow. He is the second NXT Triple Crown Champion and holds the longest reign as NXT Champion at 403 days.

Backstage Reaction To Awful Rating

Vince McMahon Fired Wrestler

It sounds as if WWE officials have taken the recent ratings report and are listening. 

The go-home edition of WWE RAW for the WWE TLC event came in with an average of 1.527 million viewers, down some 12 percent from the previous week at 1.737 million. That includes a new all-time low in total viewership and a new all-time low in viewership for each hour. 

To complete the bad trifecta, the key demographic that WWE concerns itself with was also a new all-time low.

In contrast, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its Dynamite program drew a 0.45 rating in the key 18-49 demo. That number tops each hour of RAW from the same demographic. 

According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE officials are taking these numbers as a “wake-up call.” Meltzer adds that WWE “got the message” from the reports.

TLC takes place this Sunday, giving the promotion the chance to really change things up. The card includes Drew McIntyre defending his WWE Championship against AJ Styles in a Table, Ladders and Chairs match.

Also, Roman Reigns puts his WWE Universal Championship on the line in the same style of match vs. Kevin Owens.

Other bouts include Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton, Sasha Banks vs. Carmella for the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship and more. 

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