NXT TakeOver: War Games II Preview

#3 Aleister Black vs Johnny Gargano

"Grudge Match" - Aleister Black vs Johnny Gargano

The long-anticipated showdown between Aleister Black and Johnny Gargano is only a few days away. The feud began all the way back in early August, as the seeds were planted when during this time, Aleister Black had just lost the NXT Championship to Johnny Gargano's former best friend and bitter rival, Tommaso Ciampa. He lost the title due to interference by Gargano, who at the time "accidentally" struck Aleister Black down as he attempted to take out Ciampa. Ciampa capitalized and won the championship.

This led to a confrontation between Aleister Black and Johnny Gargano, where Black returned the favor and delivered the Black Mass (Spinning Roundhouse Kick) to Gargano during a segment.

A week later, Aleister Black was "taken out" by an unknown assailant. This became a classic case of "Who did it?", as pretty much every NXT Superstar was put into question as NXT General Manager William Regal began his investigation.

With Aleister Black out of action, Johnny Gargano took advantage of the situation and unsuccessfully challenged Tommaso Ciampa to an NXT Championship match for NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV. The match was originally intended to be a Triple Threat match but was later changed due to Black's injuries.

As the weeks went by, everyone was questioned and investigated. Nikki Cross would tease William Regal and the NXT Superstars and WWE Universe, claiming that she knew who attacked Aleister Black.

A week later after Nikki Cross confronted Tommaso Ciampa and Velveteen Dream, Aleister Black would make his shocking return to NXT.

After Nikki whispered her "secret" to Aleister Black, he became enraged and furious. This rage would carry over into next week's show, as the mystery assailant would finally be revealed in a shocking turn of events. With one vicious Super Kick and three simple words: "I did it!", the WWE Universe was heartbroken to know that Johnny Gargano was the mystery attacker all along.

A couple weeks later on NXT. The WWE Universe and Aleister Black would get all the answers that were seeking from Johnny Gargano, as a special vignette aired as Gargano explained why he attack Aleister Black.

As we take one final look at the buildup and the animosity between Aleister Black and Johnny Gargano in the video below, will their grudge be settled at NXT TakeOver: War Games II? Perhaps is this just the beginning of things to come?