8 Predictions For NXT TakeOver: Toronto
7. Gargano & Ciampa Do It Themselves
NXT have told an excellent story with Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa. From their debut as a set of gritty, fired-up part-timers to their teased split in the Cruiserweight Classic and Brooklyn, they’ve been on an eventful journey together.
It looked like Ciampa was a split-second away from snapping on his partner when he tapped-out in Brooklyn, but their unity endured. They’ve since been able to wash away the tension through their continued war with The Revival, who they haven’t been able to stay away from for months. Originally set to face-off in the Dusty Classic, The Revival pulled-out when Scott Dawson was “injured", and now we’re here.
It seems inevitable that DIY are going to split at some point. There’d be no point in laying all that groundwork without providing a pay-off, and when it happens, Ciampa’s going to be one of NXT’s biggest heels, and Gargano a major league babyface. This just isn’t the right time for it, however: DIY have way too much value as a team, they’re not even close to overstaying their welcome, and they're among the brand’s most popular acts.
That’s why they’ll probably defeat The Revival this weekend. The heel champions have done everything in their power to ward-off their plucky challengers, but it’s about to catch up with them. It’s time to cap DIY’s rise through the tag ranks with a title win, and the timing couldn’t be better.