Top NXT Star REJECTS WWE Main Roster Call-Up?
Don't expect to see this top prospect on Raw or SmackDown anytime soon?
Four months after injury robbed him of the opportunity to settle his acclaimed rivalry with Johnny Gargano at TakeOver: New York, former NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa is on the comeback trail following major neck surgery, with 'The World's Greatest Sports Entertainer' resuming light training ahead of his return.
While his injury's severity makes it hard to forecast his future, a recent interview with Sports Illustrated saw Ciampa touch on the subject - and it looks like he's dead set on developmental.
"I don't know if people think I'm going to Raw or SmackDown, but here's a spoiler: I'm not," he said. "I'm going to NXT. If somebody tries to tell me anything else, I'm answering them with a no."
The mixed fortunes NXT stars have experienced on the main roster in recent years makes Tommaso's desire to stay in NXT understandable, though it's hard to imagine he has the power to straight-up reject a call-up. Regardless, he certainly speaks as though he does.
Ciampa and Gargano debuted on Raw as part of Vince McMahon's attempts at freshening things up in February. His injury two weeks later forced 'Johnny Wrestling' to return to developmental, and Ciampa was last seen celebrating his former tag partner's NXT Title win at TakeOver: New York.