What’s the Story?
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa are set to take on The Authors of Pain in a Ladder match for the NXT Tag Team Championships tonight. However, Wrestling News.co reports that the ankle injury of Ciampa could be the catalyst that leads to a character change for one of the members of #DIY.
In case you didn’t know...
Gargano and Ciampa formed their tag team, #DIY, in 2015 when they joined forces to compete in the inaugural Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. They eventually went on to win the NXT Tag Team Championships at NXT Takeover: Toronto and would hold the belts for over 100 days before losing them to The Authors of Pain at NXT Takeover: San Antonio.
During an NXT live event this past week, Ciampa suffered an ankle injury that made his status for Takeover: Chicago questionable. However, Triple H informed fans that Ciampa was cleared to compete in tonight’s championship match.
The heart of the matter
Wrestling News.co reports that people within the company believe that Ciampa’s injury is nothing more than an angle to facilitate Gargano’s heel.
Rumours have circulated that #DIY will be splitting up and the split could be a result of their loss tonight. Also, Gargano having another theme song recorded could indicate be a sign of the heel turn to come.
The belief is that after The Authors of Pain retain the titles, Gargano and Ciampa will cease wrestling as a team, leading to Tucker Knight and Otis Dozovic of Heavy Machinery challenging The Authors of Pain going forward.
What’s next?
If this rumour is to be believed, then tonight’s tag team match could set up a major feud for NXT going forward.
Gargano and Ciampa have shown signs of breaking up like in the Cruiserweight Classic. After Ciampa lost to Gargano in the preliminary rounds, Ciampa hesitated before congratulating his tag team partner.
Something similar could occur after tonight’s ladder match.
Author’s take
This rumour could add some much-needed intrigue to NXT if it proves to be true. Ciampa and Gargano demonstrated tremendous chemistry when they faced off in the Cruiserweight Classic, so breaking the team up would free both men to explore their options as singles careers.
Whether in the immediate or distant future, Gargano and Ciampa would cross paths again if the team broke up and the matches the two men could put on would be fantastic.
If the rumours are true, then we could see the beginning of the next big feud in NXT tonight.
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