27. Johnny Gargano Vs Tommaso Ciampa, NXT TakeOver: New Orleans
WWE.com
Johnny Gargano owed a modicum of the plaudits received for his clash against Andrade Almas to Tommaso Ciampa for the 'Psycho Killer's life-ruining assault nearly a year earlier, but got to share even greater praise with his former #DIY partner when the two finally went to war at TakeOver: New Orleans.
It was once-in-a-generation Sports Entertainment theatre when the two finally locked horns. A feud magically enhanced by the delay caused by an injury to Ciampa and Gargano's subsequent rise and fall without him, the match was elite beyond the sky-high standard already set elsewhere this year.
Rich in callbacks and reverence, the fight was deeply rewarding for an audience that had invested so deeply in it. From Ciampa's entrance to his last desperate moment of loss, he was a loathed villain completely at odds with the modern wrestling heel. Gargano inch-perfectly opposed as the discerning babyface.
Crucially for an industry that never ever ends, 'Johnny Wrestling' was a survivor, not a victor. He had won this battle, but it was all-too-apparent that the war wasn't over. And what a war...
Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett
