WWE NXT - Best and Worst - Mandy Rose's first match back, Former Champion returns to main title scene

#1 Best: Tommaso Ciampa moves a step closer to "goldie"

.@NXTCiampa knows @PeteDunneYxB @ONEYLORCAN & @strongstylebrit are watching, and that's exactly the way he likes it. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/MsGLugti2U

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) September 1, 2021

Tommaso Ciampa teased a return to the NXT Championship scene last week as he stood tall alongside Samoa Joe after chaos broke out. He may want the belt once again in a bid to re-establish himself as the top dog on the brand. Ciampa was phenomenal as NXT Champion in 2018 and 2019.

The Blackheart may have taken a major step towards "goldie" with a big win over Ridge Holland in the main event of NXT. While Joe did not come out during the show, he would have noticed that statement performance. Tommaso Ciampa's intensity here was off the charts.

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#1 Worst: Did Ridge Holland have to lose so soon after returning to NXT?

The battle lines have been drawn. #WWENXT @RidgeWWE @ONEYLORCAN @PeteDunneYxB @strongstylebrit @WesLee_WWE @NXTCiampa @NashCarterWWE pic.twitter.com/0shJ9k9Ihc

— WWE (@WWE) September 1, 2021

The downside to Ciampa's win in the main event of NXT was the surprising loss of momentum for Ridge Holland. The big man only recently returned from a long-term injury and looked to make a huge impact alongside Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan, and Danny Burch. But he's already been beaten.

Ciampa could have looked strong without beating Holland, who has been presented as an absolute star on NXT. He should have been hyped up to the point where a victory over him is a major deal. We will see how Ridge Holland bounces back from this latest setback.

The group could get back on track next week, as Lorcan and Burch take on MSK for the NXT Tag Team Championships.