Five must watch Tommaso Ciampa matches in NXT
One of the most memorable moments of NXT’s recent Stand & Deliver show was confirming that Tommaso Ciampa is done in WWE developmental. He preceded the match by showing off a chair inscribed with the dates of his NXT debut and (presumed) goodbye. He then followed his loss to Tony D’Angelo with a surprise appearance from Triple H, who would hug Ciampa as he said his goodbyes to the NXT crowd. An argument can be made that when it comes to the NXT brand, Ciampa is the MVP of that brand and was the person new wrestlers had to go through once they signed to that brand. In this article, I will be discussing the best five matches from Ciampa’s time in NXT.
5. Tommaso Ciampa Vs. Aleister Black
In the middle of Ciampa and Gargano’s feud, Ciampa would defeat Aleister Black for the NXT championship. Ciampa’s heel persona is one of the best because he is sneaky but not cowardly; he doesn’t back down from a fight and tackles the hard-hitting Aleister Black head-on. In the early stages of the match, we see the two trading holds and moves, but Ciampa backs off before Black has an opportunity to deliver the Black mass. The ending of the match happened when
Johnny Gargano tried to interfere in the match and cost Ciampa the match, but instead, he would accidentally tag Black with the belt, leading to the three counts.
4. Tommaso Ciampa Vs. WALTER – Stand & Deliver 2021
This match got fans to understand why Ciampa is the most crucial piece to the golden NXT brand. Ciampa was able to play the underdog in this match and had the crowd behind him from the beginning of the match. Ciampa and Walter put on one of the best matches of Wrestlemania weekend; Ciampa threw everything he had at Walter. Walter was able to absorb all of Ciampa’s arsenal and retaliate with plenty of his own. Walter would get the pin, but it did not come easy.
3. Team Ciampa Vs. Undisputed Era – TakeOver: WarGames 2019
This was one of the best WarGame matches in its rebooted format. In this match, wrestling fans saw Ciampa assemble a superteam of Keith Lee, Dominik Dijakovic, and the returning Kevin Owens to take on the Undisputed Era. As fans imagined, this is one that was must-watch television from bell to bell, with high spots from everyone involved in the match. Pulling it all together, though, is the team captain in Ciampa. Not long back from surgery, he put up an amazing performance in the main event and would lead his team to victory by capturing Adam Cole’s scampering at the top of the metal structure and dealing an Air Raid Crash through yet more wood for the win.
2 Tommaso Ciampa Vs. Johnny Gargano – TakeOver: Brooklyn 4
This wouldn’t be Ciampa and Gargano’s final match, but it would be their best match against each other in NXT. The feud between the two NXT greats was already personal enough without the NXT championship. Still, surprisingly the addition of Ciampa becoming the NXT champion added more Stan’s to the rubber match. The unsanctioned match that the two had was great, but when it came to storytelling and in-ring abilities, this match is at the top of the list. The conclusion of this match would take place on the stage, which was also the same place where Ciampa betrayed Gargano. The champ is handcuffed to a rail and begs mercy from Gargano. Johnny considers it, then drops the knee pad and hits one last thunderous strike. Gargano being unable to control his Anger would be his downfall in this match. Ciampa would win this match by getting up before the ten counts to escape with another win.
1. DIY Vs. The Revival – TakeOver: Toronto 2016
Regarding tag-Team wrestling, NXT always highlighted their division and delivered some of this generation’s most incredible tag-team matches. DIY would face The Revival in a 22 minute classic two out of three falls match that never felt rushed. All four wrestlers in the match could tell a great story inside of the ring. The Revival is in this generation’s top five greatest tag teams because of their ability to put on classic matches with anybody who steps in the ring with them. The Revival is significant heels and uses that to their advantage early in the match when they get the first fall. The final in the match came when both teams attempted the other’s finisher, The Revival, to no avail, DIY successfully. Finally, Ciampa and Gargano catch Dash and Dawson in twin submissions that lead to both submitting at once.