Best WWE and NXT matches of each year of the decade - Part II

2018 - Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso Ciampa - NXT Takeover: New Orleans

Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso Ciampa - NXT Takeover: New Orleans

In the current wrestling climate, it is extremely rare that one match on a WWE-based show receives a five star rating from Dave Meltzer and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. This show was lucky enough to have two!

As good as the Takeover opening Six-Man Ladder Match for the NXT North American Championship was, it still couldn't compare to a match one year in the making.

The previous May, after losing their rematch for the NXT Tag Team Championship, Tommaso Ciampa turned his back on his friend Johnny Gargano. Before the bad blood between the pair could truly transition to NXT TV, Ciampa was forced onto the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

While he was away though, he would continue to find ways to torment Gargano, especially on social media. He wouldn't be seen on NXT for eight months and when he made his return, it was impactful. First, he would attack 'Johnny Wrestling' moments after he unsuccessfully challenged Andrade for the NXT Championship. When Gargano would later put his NXT career on the line to go for the gold again, Ciampa would cost him the match.

In the weeks that followed, Gargano would continue to show up on NXT TV to try and gain revenge. As tensions reached a boiling point, NXT GM William Regal would announce an unsanctioned contest between the two with Gargano's NXT career once again at stake.

Of all the matches in the second half of the decade, this is the best of the bunch. It had absolutely everything. From the moment Ciampa came out to no music to draw out the maximum level of heat from the crowd, you felt it was going to be big.

The brawl through the crowd was perfectly executed. What there was in technical wrestling was done to a tee, and the use of psychology and throw backs to past events drew you in as a fan.

One particular throwback led to the finish, with the two side-by-side sat in the ring similar to the end of their Cruiserweight Classic showdown in 2016. While Ciampa's plan was to use this as a decoy, Gargano scouted it, and would proceed to use Ciampa's knee brace to help him to victory.

Both men would go on to have another two outstanding matches across the year, but neither could live up to this. If you've never seen this battle, get out there and see it as soon as you can. You won't regret it!