3 Reasons why Johnny Gargano should defeat Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver: New York

The NXT Championship match that would take place during the WrestleMania weekend on April 6, 2019, at NXT TakeOver: New York has finally been decided. The stage had been set for the finale of the emotional rivalry between Ciampa and Johnny Gargano that has spanned for more than a year now.

However, unfortunately, real-life injury to Tommaso Ciampa has forced him to vacate his precious possession. Now, his place has been taken by the leader of The Undisputed Era, Adam Cole. Considering the wrestling skills of the two wrestlers involved, we can expect an extremely high-quality match-up at NXT TakeOver: New York for the NXT Championship.

While both of them are worthy of becoming the next NXT Champion, from a long term perspective, it would be more beneficial for the WWE if Johnny Gargano stands tall as the new NXT Champion at the end of NXT TakeOver: New York. Let us look at the reasons why.

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#3 Another NXT Championship loss would hurt Gargano's credibility

Another NXT Championship loss could badly hurt Gargano's long-term reputation

Considering that Johnny Gargano has already made his WWE main-roster debut in February 2019, a loss to Gargano at NXT TakeOver: New York would invariably mean a full-time switch to the main roster and an end to his NXT career for now. However, the competitive nature of the main roster demands that a wrestler should have as much momentum and credibility as possible to ensure better chances of success.

Johnny 'Wrestling' has had a rather dismal record when it comes to NXT Championship matches at TakeOver events. His pursuit for the title began way back in January 2018 against Andrade 'Cien' Almas at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia. Although it was one of the best matches that happened in 2018, Johnny ended up being in the loser's corner. On the February 21, 2019 episode of NXT, Gargano once again failed to emerge victorious against Almas and was forced to leave NXT to further his storyline with Tommaso Ciampa.

At NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV, Gargano squared off against his arch nemesis Ciampa for the NXT Championship in a Last Man Standing match. Gargano went on to lose that match as well. Gargano's dismal record at TakeOver events and his seemingly endless pursuit for the NXT Championship has been played up in the promos between Johnny Gargano and Adam Cole as well. Hence, another loss at NXT TakeOver: New York may cement the thought that Gargano isn't meant for big-ticket matches, a reputation which may severely disrupt his main roster run.

#2 It is time for The Undisputed Era to be called up for the main roster

The Undisputed Era

The stable of Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly, also known as The Undisputed Era, is one of the most destructive and talented factions in professional wrestling right now. Each of the individuals has wrestling and promo skills par excellence. The Undisputed Era has dominated the entire NXT roster since August 2017 and it is time for them to cross over to the big leagues.

It is no secret that Adam Cole is highly rated by the top WWE officials, including Triple H, and is almost destined for main event stardom once he is called up to the main roster. The team of O'Reilly and Fish can bolster the tag team division, especially for Monday Night Raw which seems to be struggling for high-quality tag teams. Roderick Strong can, for the time being, add strength to the upper mid-card and can even graduate to the top-tier of the roster if given the right stories.

The Undisputed Era's switch to the main roster would get much easier with a loss to Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver: New York. Given his popularity and superstar potential, a loss would not hurt Cole's reputation. A debut at the Raw after WrestleMania 35 would be the perfect launch pad for the stable, as the entire arena would scream 'Adam Cole BAY BAY!'.

#1 The rivalry between Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano needs a fitting end

Johnny Gargano v/s Tommaso Ciampa: A rivalry for the ages

The rivalry between Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano has certainly been one for the ages. A rivalry that has been as personal and as psychological as one can be. We have seen the rise and the fall of #DIY, the revival of Johnny Gargano as a singles wrestler, the villainous rise of Tommaso Ciampa to the top of the mountain, Gargano's tryst with the dark side and his way back.

The rivalry deserves a fitting and uncensored conclusion that could only take place at NXT. As mentioned earlier, a loss to Gargano would mean a call up to the main roster. Since Ciampa has also made his main roster debut along with Gargano, it would only be logical if Ciampa is also called up once he is fit to wrestle.

We could see these cross paths in the main roster as well. However, considering the highly protective and censored environment of the main roster shows, it is highly doubtful that we would see a full-blown fight between these two long-time rivals which would fittingly conclude this feud once and for all.