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Tommaso Ciampa and Aleister Black’s rivalry started as the followup from the Gargano-Ciampa feud and could end up living in the shadow of Gargano & Ciampa following tonight's final moments.
Ciampa’s incredible character work overshadowed much of Black’s reign as NXT Champion, so Black journey back to the top of the promotion has been about him focusing on regaining his title.
The match started with an aggressive lockup that spilt out into the ring, but Black would regain control when the action returned to the squared circle.
Black maintained control for the beginning of the match and kept Ciampa grounded with a headlock, before landing a tope-con-hilo on the outside, but Ciampa would regain control by targeting Black's right leg - the leg he uses for his Black Mass finisher.
Ciampa made use of everything at ringside to damage Black's leg including the steel steps, ring post and announce table when he wasn't locking in submission holds.
Black regained momentum when Ciampa was drinking a bottle of water and got the drink nearly kicked down his throat by Black.
The momentum would swing back and forth with both superstars trying to land their finisher, but none were successful due to Black countering Ciampa's Fairy Tale Ending and Black unable to use his right leg for the Black Mass.
Black attempted his trademark head lift with his right leg, but dropped Ciampa due to the pain, leading to Ciampa hitting a dragon leg screw and locking in a single leg Boston Crab.
Ciampa was thrown to the outside and Black attempted a moonsault onto him, but Ciampa ran up to the apron and dropped him on the edge with a cutter. Both men would attempt pinfalls after exchanging blows to no avail, leading to Black regaining momentum after hitting Ciampa with a double foot stomp and a knee to the face.
Black hit a moonsault on Ciampa but slipped on the water that was spilt earlier in the match and was hit with the Fairy Tale Ending by Ciampa for a close nearfall.
Taking a note out of Gargano's playbook, Ciampa peeled back the padding on the outside of the apron to devastate Black, but a double knee attack would take both men out. Black finally landed the Black Mass kick, but Ciampa turned on his stomach to prevent a pinfall.
Both men would trade blows again in what seemed like the ending of the match. Ciampa rolled up Black for what seemed like a pinfall attempt, but turned it into a draping DDT and followed it up with a second Fairy Tale ending for a devastating nearfall.
Ciampa landed a third Fairy Tale Ending and hoisted Black up for a fourth, but was countered by Black and nearly knocked out with the Black Mass before his leg gave out.
Ciampa grabbed Black for his fourth Fairy Tale Ending and defeated Ciampa for the second time.
Result: Tommaso Ciampa defeated Aleister Black to retain the NXT Championship
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