Ricochet and Johnny Gargano could steal the show at WWE NXT TakeOver: Phoenix, and here are three reasons why “The One and Only” will retain his title.
Ricochet will defend his WWE NXT North American championship at TakeOver: Phoenix vs Johnny Gargano in what will be an incredible contest of contrasting styles – high flying offense from ‘The One and Only’ vs the technical wizardry of ‘Johnny Wrestling’.
Meshing styles and chemistry are what make fantastic wrestling matches. These two men are nothing short of amazing in the squared circle whether the story-line is intriguing or not. Throw these two talents in the ring and you’re bound to find yourself a new element on the periodic table.
Johnny Gargano defeated Aleister Black on NXT Television in a steel cage match with help from his former DIY partner Tommaso Ciampa. In a backstage interview the following week, Ciampa suggested that Gargano should challenge Ricochet for the North American title as opposed to re-engaging their malicious feud that has spanned nearly two years. Adding more smoke to the already-lit fire, Ricochet took to Twitter and called out Gargano.
https://twitter.com/KingRicochet/status/1078125334489382915
Gargano obliged Ciampa and Ricochet’s wishes in an interview at Full Sail Univeristy. In front of the NXT universe, called Ciampa “a piece of trash” and stated he’s about two things: wins and championships. It has been what’s driven Gargano ever since he arrived in NXT without a contract, touring the country and wanting to takeover NXT with his in ring talent and pit-bull demeanor.
Ricochet answered Gargano’s retort by confronting him during Johnny’s interview. Claiming that “there is one and only one man who would walk out as North American champion”, he essentially accepted Johnny’s Challenge on the spot.
As Ciampa arrived to egg on the two men, the chaos would come to a boiling point. Black ambushed Ciampa on the top of the ramp. In the meantime, Gargano superkicked an on looking Ricochet, laying him out and standing over the top of the fallen champion. Sign me up for this chess match please!
The larger question looms: Who will win between these two evenly matched foes? You could flip a coin, give one of them home crowd advantage, throw them in a cage or in a falls count anywhere scenario, and I would venture to say the that each man would emerge victorious every other time they face off. Yet Ricochet is the man I feel will come out the victor on this Saturday evening in Phoenix.