5 potential post-WWE SummerSlam NXT call ups

#2 Tommaso Ciampa

The Blackheart previously stated he would "retire" if called up to Raw or SmackDown

Tommaso Ciampa has been a cornerstone of NXT since debuting on the black and gold brand in 2015.

Initially a member of former NXT World Tag Team Champions #DIY, The Blackheart has gone on to forge a singles career with NXT that culminated with an NXT Championship reign in 2018. At that time, not only was Tommaso Ciampa the biggest heel in NXT, but arguably the biggest heel in professional wrestling.

However, that title reign was cut short in 2019 when it was revealed that Tommaso Ciampa would be forced to undergo neck surgery, shelving the champ for at least six months and requiring him to vacate the NXT Championship. After speculation if Tommaso Ciampa would ever be able to return to the ring again, The Blackheart would return to NXT in October of 2019, confronting then-NXT Champion Adam Cole.

Since then, Tommaso Ciampa has gone on to feud with the likes of Cole, Johnny Gargano and Karrion Kross amongst others on the NXT roster. Tommaso Ciampa hasn't even been seen on NXT television since his defeat at Kross' hands at NXT TakeOver: In Your House in June.

So, after five years with NXT, isn't it time for Tommaso Ciampa to move to RAW or SmackDown? Well, it's complicated.

Due to his prior neck injury and subsequent surgery, Tommaso Ciampa has stated that he'll "retire" if he's forced to move to RAW or SmackDown in WWE. Not only is the NXT schedule much lighter on Ciampa's body, but The Blackheart has been incredibly loyal to the brand which set him up to be a singles star in professional wrestling.

However, due to the current coronavirus pandemic, WWE is no longer holding live events for the foreseeable future and taping nearly all the RAW, SmackDown and pay-per-view events from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. This essentially eradicates any previous concerns that Tommaso Ciampa may have had about being on the road 200-plus days a year and the various bumps, wear and tear that it could have on his body.

Due to the lack of travel and lack of live events currently in place, now could be the very best time for WWE to finally call up Tommaso Ciampa to RAW or SmackDown.