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#3 Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa in an Unsanctioned Match (NXT TakeOver: New Orleans)
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The tale of DIY is argubaly the best story WWE has ever presented in NXT. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa were put together in the 2015 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, and they meshed so well that they became the greatest babyface tag team on the brand. Their breakup was tragic, with Ciampa turning on Gargano at TakeOver: Chicago in a shocking twist.
Following Gargano's loss against Andrade at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, the crowd gave him a standing ovation that was interrupted abruptly by the returning Ciampa, who attacked his former partner with a crutch. Ciampa then cost Johnny Wrestling a Loser Leaves NXT Match against Almas that took his job from him. After Gargano haunted Ciampa, he challenged his former partner to an unsanctioned showdown.
The main event of NXT TakeOver: New Orleans was the perfect culmination to an all-time great WWE major event. Ciampa was the most hated superstar on the brand, and he was greeted with unanimous boos from the New Orleans crowd. It became instantly clear that this contest had a stellar story and an emotional hook that not many feuds in recent history could match.
This unsanctioned match was physically intense, with Gargano meeting Ciampa's ruthlessness with heart and determination. There were many memorable spots, like Gargano's sunset flip powerbomb onto the concrete floor. A compelling closing stretch punctuated this fantastic battle.
Gargano was an amazing babyface who tried to allow his former friend to repent for his sins when he had him on the verge of defeat. He sat next to Ciampa, like they did at the end of their Cruiserweight Classic matchup. Of course, Ciampa was still an evil human being, but Gargano knew it was coming, and he used his own knee brace to lock in the STF for the win. This match was a phenomenal classic that will be remembered for years to come.
