NXT Stars Work Interesting Dark Match Before WWE SmackDown

Two very interesting WWE NXT names could be on the cusp of a SmackDown call up.

by Jamie Kennedy
Tommaso Ciampa Pete Dunne
WWE

Tommaso Ciampa wrestled Pete Dunne in a dark match for the live crowd before last night's episode of SmackDown went live on FOX.

PWInsider reported that the NXT 2.0 pair had a fine match before Ciampa scored the win. The site also wonders if this could be a sign of things to come for both - Tommaso just lost the NXT Title to Bron Breakker at the turn of the new year, and Dunne is currently in a midcard feud opposite Tony D'Angelo that WWE could wrap up fairly quickly.

After that, who knows? Either man would be a great addition to the SmackDown ranks heading into 2022. It's likely that WWE chiefs also feel Ciampa has done everything there is to do on NXT. A change of scenery, something that was previously teased for him back in 2019, could be just the ticket.

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Meanwhile, Dunne may benefit from something new himself. The former United Kingdom and NXT Tag-Team Champ has been spinning his wheels on the brand for a while now. Is a leap to SmackDown in his immediate future?

Watch this space.

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Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.