The Undisputed Era remains one of the most celebrated factions in modern professional wrestling history, but according to Bobby Fish, their disbandment came far too soon. The veteran tag team specialist has opened up about the creative decisions that led to the premature split of one of NXT’s most dominant and beloved stables, shedding light on behind-the-scenes circumstances that fans have long speculated about.
The Undisputed Era’s Historic Run
Before diving into the reasons behind their breakup, it’s important to understand just how significant the Undisputed Era’s run truly was. Composed of Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly, and Roderick Strong, the faction dominated NXT from 2017 through 2021, capturing multiple championships and establishing themselves as the gold standard of professional wrestling excellence[1]. The group achieved unprecedented success, with Cole holding the NXT Championship for 403 days before losing it to Keith Lee in a Winner Take All match on July 8, 2021[1].
Their chemistry, in-ring work, and character development made them must-see television every time they stepped between the ropes. Yet despite their popularity and momentum, WWE made the shocking decision to disband them, a choice that Fish now believes was made prematurely.
The Pat McAfee Factor and Contract Issues
Fish has revealed that the wheels began to fall off the Undisputed Era wagon following their WarGames match against Pat McAfee and his allies. What was supposed to be an extended storyline with long-term potential got derailed due to contract-related complications involving McAfee[2].
“I do know for a fact that some of what happened booking-wise after the fourth WarGames, where we wrestled Pat McAfee and that group… I know there was, obviously, they ironed things out eventually because Pat is there—but there was a contract something-or-other going on there,” Fish explained[2].
According to wrestling insiders familiar with the situation, the McAfee storyline represented the last true momentum the faction had before creative direction became muddled. The interruption of this narrative proved to be a critical turning point that WWE never recovered from in terms of the group’s trajectory.
Creative Direction Abandoned
Once the McAfee storyline was scrapped, WWE seemingly lost the roadmap for where to take the Undisputed Era next. This vacuum in creative planning ultimately led to the faction’s hasty dissolution[2].
“That’s where it was like, ‘Okay, well, what else do we do with UE?’ And I think they pulled the trigger on the split prematurely,” Fish candidly stated[2]. The lack of a clear next chapter for the stable suggested that WWE’s creative team was caught off-guard when the McAfee angle fell through, leaving them scrambling for answers rather than pivoting to another compelling storyline.
Fish has since indicated that WWE’s management would likely agree with his assessment that the timing was wrong. A source close to WWE’s creative process during that period noted that the decision came down to unfortunate circumstances beyond anyone’s control, with the Undisputed Era simply finding themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
A Missed Opportunity for the Main Roster
Perhaps most intriguingly, Fish believes the Undisputed Era never should have been broken up at all—at least not when they were. Instead, he suggests that their peak popularity would have been the perfect moment to bring the entire faction up to WWE’s main roster as an established, cohesive unit[2].
“I think that would’ve been the time to bring us up because that would have given us a fresh coat of paint,” Fish reflected on the lost opportunity[2]. Had WWE made that call, the Undisputed Era could have dominated RAW and SmackDown with the same authority they commanded on NXT, potentially transforming the main roster landscape in ways fans can only imagine.
The decision to split them on NXT before any main roster call created a narrative problem: rather than introducing four established superstars to a broader audience as an already-dangerous faction, WWE scattered them across different brands and feuds, diminishing their collective impact.
The Fallout and Individual Careers
The breakup of the Undisputed Era officially occurred at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day when Adam Cole turned on his stablemates by superkicking Kyle O’Reilly after saving Finn Bálor from an assault[1]. The split was formally announced on the March 24th edition of NXT, marking the end of an era[1].
Following the dissolution, the members pursued individual paths with varying degrees of success. Cole eventually made his way to AEW before returning to WWE, O’Reilly engaged in an extended feud with Cole that concluded at NXT TakeOver: 36 in “The Undisputed Finale”—a 2-out-of-3 falls match that O’Reilly won[1]. Meanwhile, Fish and Strong continued their careers on WWE programming, though never quite recaptured the magic of their time together as a unit.
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
Despite the years that have passed since their split, fan demand for an Undisputed Era reunion remains vocal and consistent. Fish acknowledges this reality, attributing it partly to the unfinished business and premature nature of their breakup[2].
“That’s pretty evident. And I think that’s still why you have the clamorings now of just seeing the four of us together on screen. It hasn’t been. And absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?” Fish noted, adding a touch of levity to the subject[2].
The lingering desire to see the faction reunited speaks volumes about their impact on the professional wrestling landscape. Unlike breakups that feel natural and conclusive, the Undisputed Era’s end always carried the sense of incompleteness—a story that never reached its proper conclusion.
Looking Forward
As WWE continues to evolve and reshape its roster, discussions about what could have been with the Undisputed Era persist. Fish’s recent comments have reignited conversations among fans about missed opportunities and the importance of creative momentum in professional wrestling.
The lesson here extends beyond one faction: it underscores how crucial timing is in professional wrestling, and how external factors—contract negotiations, personnel changes, and shifting business priorities—can dramatically alter the trajectories of even the most talented performers and compelling storylines. The Undisputed Era’s premature split remains one of WWE’s most puzzling creative decisions, one that Fish continues to grapple with years later.