10 Best WWE Matches Of 2018 (So Far)
2. Johnny Gargano Vs. Tommaso Ciampa (TakeOver: New Orleans)
A few melodramatic weekly TV moments aside, the Gargano vs. Ciampa rivalry has been sublime, and New Orleans was its finest hour.
None of it was rushed. Though the bout began with a bang, the duo purposefully slowed things down as the clash progressed, giving each individual moment time to resonate. This drew criticism from those expecting a frantic scramble, but any two wrestlers could've gone out and went full ECW. Gargano and Ciampa are lightyears above that and chose storytelling over mayhem, which only enhanced the moments when the bout did go apes***.
The optics were incredible. Gargano and Ciampa gripping each other's wrist tape while trading strikes encapsulated their violent (but inseparable) bond. Tommaso deserved his Powerbomb to the outside, but that didn't make it any easier to stomach, despite the "you deserve it chants." They saved the best until last, though. Gargano, ever the hero, offered his former friend a shot at redemption, even after all he'd gone through. He pulled out of a crutch shot and sat by him in a note perfect call-back to their Cruiserweight Classic match, but Tommaso, that bastard, attacked.
It was to no avail. Johnny was wise to it, locking Ciampa in a knee brace-assisted STF, thus scoring the most cathartic victory NXT has seen since Zayn vs. Neville.