Top AEW Star Opens Up On Self-Confidence Issues

AEW

A top AEW star has opened up on their self-confidence issues and how his in-ring character has affected his real-world mindset.

Adam Cole returned to AEW on March 29 and has previously spoken about his feelings surrounding his AEW Dynamite return.

He has also previously discussed his mental health during his time away and the possibility of leaving the wrestling business altogether due to concussion.

Speaking on Swerve City Podcast, Cole spoke about his self-confidence issues, contrasting his mindset with that of his on-screen character, saying:

“For me, certainly, I think lots of times I battle with — and Shane (Swerve Strickland), I don’t know if you agree with this or not but I definitely have some self-confidence issues, even to this day, after doing it for 15 years.

“I think part of the Adam Cole character as a heel that I enjoyed so much is I was this cocky, brash, no one can touch me, I am the best in the world character that is so not who I am as a person.”

He would go on to discuss his feelings before and after a match in a comment that will no doubt resonate with wrestlers, athletes and performers around the world, stating:

“It’s like when I walk through that curtain, it was like I felt invincible for a second and then you walk back through and again, I think at the end of the day, it comes down to because I care and we care so much about this job that you wanna be perfect and you’re constantly chasing that perfection of whether it’d be matches or promos or what have you, you wanna be the best.

“You really, really do so I think I’m still growing and learning as time goes on but early on, it was such an internal battle constantly of being able to balance that act between always wanna better yourself and not absolutely tearing yourself apart for feeling like you’re not perfect if that makes sense.”

Recently, Cole discussed the support he received from Britt Baker and his family as he navigated the possibility of leaving the wrestling business.

Adam Cole defeated Chris Jericho in an Unsanctioned Match at AEW Double or Nothing on Sunday, May 28 2023.

Full results from AEW Double Or Nothing 2023 were as follows:

HOOK, Jeff Hardy & Matt Hardy def. Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn & Ethan Page

International Championship Blackjack Battle Royal – Orange Cassidy (c) def. 20 others, last eliminating Swerve Strickland

Unsanctioned Match – Adam Cole def. Chris Jericho

AEW World Tag Team Championship (Special Guest Referee Mark Briscoe) – FTR (c) def. Jay Lethal & Jeff Jarrett

TNT Championship Ladder Match – Wardlow (c) def. Christian Cage

AEW Women’s World Championship – Toni Storm def. Jamie Hayter (c)

AEW World Trios Championship Open House Rules Match – Brody King, Buddy Matthews & Malakai Black (c) def. The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn

TBS Championship – Jade Cargill (c) def. Taya Valkyrie

TBS Championship – Kris Statlander def. Jade Cargill (c)

AEW World Championship – MJF (c) def. Darby Allin, Jack Perry, Sammy Guevara

Anarchy in the Arena – Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli, Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta def. Adam Page, Kenny Omega & Young Bucks thanks to interference from Konosuke Takeshita w/Don Callis

If you want to stay fully updated on all the latest wrestling news, click the red bell in the bottom right of your screen to receive notifications from WrestleTalk.com straight to your device!

• adam cole
• mental health
• AEW

Share this article with friends