Tommaso Ciampa's big lie didn't mislead fans, claims WWE legend after SmackDown (Exclusive)

Another eventful SmackDown episode is in the books, and one of the more talked-about moments has been Tommaso Ciampa going back on his word. However, Dutch Mantell doesn't think the WWE star deceived anybody.

The latest edition of SmackDown featured a singles showdown between longtime friends Johnny Gargano and Alex Shelley. Before the contest, Ciampa had promised to not get involved in the match, but as things panned out, the former WWE NXT Champion was just lying.

As seen on the blue brand, The Blackheart interfered in the bout and helped Gargano defeat the Motor City Machine Guns member.

Dutch Mantell, who has seen almost every booking trick in the pro wrestling handbook, noted that when a talent says they aren't going to do something, WWE fans expect exactly the opposite.

The 75-year-old explained on Smack Talk:

"It's like telling a wrestling fan, 'Listen, okay, I'll stay here.' Now, that tells a wrestling fan, 'Hell, you know, he was going to be out there,' and you knew Chris Sabin was going to be out there. So, when somebody says, 'Don't do it!' That's almost like saying, you know, 'Do it!' You know they are going to show up." [50:55-51:15]

Despite the predictable finish, Dutch Mantell liked the match and was initially concerned about how much time it would receive.

Dutch noted that Gargano vs. Shelley was placed too close to the main event, and the performers still managed to churn out a decent in-ring affair in which the right man went over.

Mantell added:

"But they did have a very good match and again, not too long, I had written down. They went to the ring at 27 after, and you're thinking like, 'This is the main event,' which is what I thought. I said, 'They had 30 minutes to go and what are they going to have these guys do?' Run up the concession stand a couple of times, get cokes and a hot dog, and come back. They went about 10 minutes, did they? And it was a good finish. Of course, the heel, at this point, should go over." [51:16-52:00]

The fallout of Ciampa's misleading activities will be under the spotlight on TV in the coming week. It will be interesting to see how the Motor City Machine Guns respond to the reigning WWE Tag Team Champions.

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Please credit Smack Talk and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.