10 Ways The Move To TV Has Ruined WWE NXT
4. Rehashed Storylines
When Tommaso Ciampa turned on DIY partner Johnny Gargano in May 2017, fans were ecstatic for the rivalry that was to come once the former had returned from injury. Of course, they were right to feel such a way, as the rivalry was undoubtedly the greatest thing NXT has ever produced.
But that was back in 2017. There's no need for it to start up again in 2020, especially not with the roles reversed. It simply doesn't work the same way with Gargano as the heel, and Ciampa as the babyface.
In fairness to them, there was a chance it could've worked, regardless of if it was the right direction for both at the time. However, their cinematic match in April was a massive letdown compared to the Boneyard Match and the Firefly Fun House Match. In what way can a protective cup compare to John Cena joining a fake nWo?
It wasn't helped by the fact that Tegan Nox and Dakota Kai were essentially having the same type of rivalry at the same time. The former Team Kick partners had disbanded in the opening match of the previous November's TakeOver: War Games show, and became embroiled in a feud just as vicious as Ciampa vs. Gargano had been.
Thankfully, the reignited rivalry didn't last all too long, and Ciampa is now back as a heel. Keep it that way.