6 Ups & 0 Downs From Last Night's WWE NXT (Mar 21)
Ups...
6. Silence Behind The Violence
With tricks even older than the late-1990s 'exposé' that revealed such devices as company-designed signs and the stunt granny, this week's episode poured petrol on the Ciampa/Gargano fire by deploying both tried and tested tropes.
Entering to a chorus of boos and sea of emoji signs, Ciampa was shouted down by the Full Sail regulars when attempting to pridefully say his piece, before instead taking to the floor and destroying yet more of what they love. Old ladies were screamed at and signs were torn as Ciampa attempted to let his actions do the talking. It was the perfect misdirect.
Hidden by a lucha mask and a giant board with his own logo on (as, logically, he'd have to be in order to make it into the building), Gargano struck with malice only previously exhibited by his partner. He was convincingly hauled out of the building as fans came unglued for his inventive and heroic response.
Chris Jericho and Samoa Joe once foretold of violence to follow as they prepared to annihilate Shawn Michaels and Finn Bálor respectively in their own iconic feuds. This rivalry has subverted those expectations. For Tomasso Ciampa, the worst may yet be to come.