10 Best WWE Segments Of 2017 (So Far)
3. Tommaso Ciampa SNAPS
Tommaso Ciampa's heel turn on Johnny Gargano had been telegraphed for months.
When they fell to The Revival at TakeOver: Brooklyn II, after Gargano suffered a knee injury, his internal conflict was palpable - but unconsummated. His facial expression was perfectly etched. It veered across the spectrum from disappointment to anger. Still, he reluctantly embraced his partner. On the night of the turn itself, TakeOver: Chicago, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were captured by cameras on opposite sides of the arena in another looming omen.
NXT even repeated the closing credits trick of TakeOver: R Evolution. The All Rights Reserved graphic flashed on the screen seconds before Ciampa, infuriated that Gargano had sacrificed their chance to recapture the NXT Tag Team Title to play the martyr, beat the p*ss out of his #DIY partner. This resonated to the level of a Greek tragedy because it was inevitable. You knew it was coming. That inevitability enhanced, not diluted, the drama when it did happen.
That many complained in the aftermath underscored the angle's success. The heel turn worked precisely because nobody wanted it to happen. Why wait until an act is past its sell-by date before chucking it out? It's counterintuitive.
With tragedy comes catharsis. Their grudge match, even if it's only slightly better than their Cruiserweight Classic encounter (and it should be far better) is going to be outstanding.