Since their debut in the original Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa have been tied together in some way. Now with their rivalry seemingly over that leaves one big question, what is next for the two men that have been at the center of NXT for so long.
Tommaso Ciampa
We will start by looking at “The Blackheart” Tommaso Ciampa. While it looks like he might be facing off with the debuting Karrion Kross (Formerly Killer Kross), it might not be so cut and dry. Before Kross’s attack, Ciampa was seemingly acknowledging that he was at a crossroads in his career. He had tweeted before the show he wasn’t Goldie’s daddy, he was not the face of NXT, he’s doesn’t know what he is.
https://twitter.com/NXTCiampa/status/1248407740025696256
This could easily be a way to allow Ciampa some time to rest his body. Tommaso had one of the worst neck injuries possible and short breaks throughout are going to be crucial to adding time onto his career longevity. While he’s resting Kross can assert his dominance, maybe gain the NXT Championship. Just when it looks like no one can dethrone this dominant force, Ciampa makes his return.
We could also very well be watching Ciampa’s last run. He had an almost career-ending neck injury and he stated several times during his recovery if he could come back it wouldn’t be a long-term run. This could be painting the picture of Kross picking at the carcass of a defeated and tired Ciampa, as his name would suggest. No matter what, Ciampa will have the support of the NXT faithful wherever his path goes.
Johnny Gargano
Now let’s look at Johnny Turncoat, I mean Gargano. There are a few paths I could see “Rebel Heart” taking after emerging victorious in this blood feud.
If Gargano is looking to stay in NXT, his next opponent could be “Limitless” Keith Lee. The last chapter of his feud with Ciampa was over who was the face of NXT, a title Lee could easily challenge for. “The Moment Maker” is one of the most beloved stars NXT has ever had and that will not sit well with the egotistical Gargano. A bonus to having this feud is Gargano being a perpetual main-eventer would help to elevate the NXT North American Championship.
Speaking of his ego, to Gargano maybe in his mind the only way to truly be the face of NXT is to hold the NXT Championship. A narrative like this would work against any opponent and would only require the NXT Championship to be on the line. Aside from the earlier mentioned and recently debuted Kross, there are very few people in the title picture Gargano doesn’t have a history with. He might not be the most exciting choice to battle for the belt, but he is reliable and would be more than capable of carrying a short term feud.
Now maybe for Gargano and the mentioned growing ego, being the face of NXT isn’t enough for him. He has been in developmental for five years and maybe it’s time to see what Johnny wrestling can do on the main roster. Gargano has accomplished everything in NXT and countless exciting feuds are waiting for “Johnny Wrestling” on either brand. This might be the best route to go, as his match with Ciampa is the best way to leave the black and yellow brand.
Let that last scene where Gargano and wife Candice Lerae are walking away, while Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux watch from a car be a symbolic passing of the torch. That should be the moment we look back on and say that is where the NXT landscape changed.
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