02:35

EC3 walks into the lion's den, taking on Adam Cole while The Panama City Playboy's Undisputed ERA cohorts are at ringside. Video courtesy of the award-winning WWE Network.

Once again operating at full strength following the return of Bobby Fish, Undisputed ERA opened this week’s NXT by bragging that they embody the black-and-yellow brand. Adam Cole portrayed Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly’s controversial NXT Tag Team Title defense against The War Raiders last week as a one-sided drubbing in the ERA’s favor (which most onlookers would be hard-pressed to agree with) and then alluded to himself once again challenging Ricochet for the NXT North American Championship.

That last part ruffled the feathers of EC3, who entered the arena and, after declaring that Cole didn’t deserve another title opportunity, accepted Cole’s challenge to a match on the spot. Despite the presence of Fish, Strong & O’Reilly at ringside, EC3 maintained a steady focus on Cole as he bounced The Panama City Playboy around the ring like a pinball. The other Undisputed ERA members interjected late in the contest, but EC3 summarily disposed of them. Cole hoped to capitalize on the distraction by going for the Last Shot, but The Top One Percent dodged the move and surprised Cole with a roll-up for the pin.

Though EC3 won the battle, the fight was just getting started. Furious over the outcome of the match, Undisputed ERA ambushed EC3 in a savage four-on-one barrage that culminated with Fish using a steel chair to bash EC3’s leg as it was draped over the edge of the entrance stage.