Pat McAfee just punted Adam Cole and got tossed by Triple H

Technically, an NXT Tag title match main evented the Aug. 5 episode of NXT. And Imperium’s Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel retaining by beating Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish of Undisputed ERA will likely have ramifications in the angle that was the actual focus of the end of this week’s show. But tonight was all about Pat McAfee.

His appearance was played up throughout the broadcast, and he joined commentary for a quick Tegan Nox/Indi Hartwell match where he emphasized how he’d made up with Adam Cole and NXT brass earlier in the day.

It didn’t take long into the Tag Team championship bout for his true colors to come out, though. Beth Phoenix was so disgusted by how McAfee was running down Cole that she left the broadcast.

The former NXT champ eventually confronted the former NFL punter at the announce desk, and their shouting match distracted O’Reilly and the rest of the ERA - leading to their loss. Meanwhile, McAfee goaded Cole with an insult from the movie Elf, and Triple H & Shawn Michaels were among the officials who ran out to separate the two men. Somewhere in there Imperium pinned Fish, as commentary played up how distracted Kyle was by the action at the announce desk.

Pat closed by telling the Panama City Playboy he’ll always be a “teeny, tiny little bitch”, which drove Cole to dive at him. That left him prone for a punt to the head, which is exactly what the Indianapolis Colt great hit him with.

Triple H angrily shoved McAfee out of the arena, and Pat continued to taunt everyone involved in NXT on his way out the door. HBK worked to revive Cole, who sold the punt like he’d been killed.

We’re definitely getting more of this, which definitely seems to be a babyface turn for Adam Cole. It could also give us an O’Reilly led Undisputed ERA, because they probably won’t take kindly to Cole’s business costing them the Tag titles.

There are intriguing options, and pros and cons to debate. Getting people talking is the goal, though.

You in?