NXT TakeOver: New Orleans aired live tonight on the WWE Network from the Smoothie King Arena. Johnny Gargano battled Tommaso Ciampa to save his NXT Career. Ember Moon put the NXT Women’s Championship on the line against Shayna Baszler. 6 Superstars competed in a Ladder Match to determine the first NXT North American Champion. Undisputed Era defended their NXT Tag Team Championships against The Authors of Pain and Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong. Aleister Black challenged Andrade “Cien” Almas for the NXT Championship.
Here are 5 takeaways from NXT TakeOver: New Orleans:
Adam Cole Became The First-Ever NXT North American Champion
The Ladder Match to crown the first-ever NXT North American Champion started off the show. EC3, Velveteen Dream, Adam Cole, Killian Dain, Lars Sullivan and Ricochet were the NXT Superstars in the match.
The crowd started chanting “this is awesome” before the match even started. EC3 immediately rolled out of the ring and then Adam Cole launched Ricochet out of the ring. Lars Sullivan and Killian Dain cleared the ring and had a stare down. EC3 started shouting at them to start fighting, Lars and Killian rolled out of the ring and started attacking everyone. Ricochet connected with an awesome springboard Shooting Star Press onto both Dain and Sullivan.
Ricochet brought a ladder into the ring but Velveteen Dream attacked him from behind. Ricochet planted him with a Hurricanrana, but Dream battled back and knocked him out of the ring. Dream climbed up the ladder but Cole got back into the ring and dragged him down. Cole stomped on Dream in the corner and then connected with an Enziguri to Dain to knock him off the ring apron. Cole started climbing up the ladder but EC3 stopped him and hit a Splash in the corner.
Lars Sullivan leveled EC3 with a Clothesline and then slammed Cole to the mat. Dain threw Lars out of the ring and connected with a massive Suicide Dive. Back in the ring, Cole and Ricochet traded shots. Dream dropped Ricochet with an uppercut as Dain beatdown Cole. Lars Sullivan launched a ladder onto everyone and then bashed Dain in the midsection with the ladder. Lars put the ladder over his head and started charging at everyone with it.
Sullivian lifted Dream up in the Gorilla Press and dropped Velveteen on a ladder in the middle of the ring. Lars started climbing the ladder towards the belt but Ricochet joined him up there. Ricochet went for a Sunset Flip Powerbomb but Lars held on. Dream, EC3 and Cole helped out Ricochet and Sullivan was Powerbombed to the canvas. Cole shouted “who do you think you are punk?!” at Dain and Killian took his head off with a Clothesline. Dain then slung Ricochet into a ladder set up in the corner. Dain made his way up the ladder but EC3 dragged him down and slammed him to the mat. Cole teamed up with EC3 and slammed the ladder into Sullivan in the corner.
EC3 and Cole set up a ladder from the ring apron to the announce table outside the ring. They threw Dain into the ladder and got back into the ring to continue their attack on Sullivan. Cole and EC3 high-fived each other and then EC3 mocked Cole’s chant and shouted “EC3 baybay!”. Cole slammed him on top of the ladder and then Superkicked everyone else in the match. Cole then shouted “Adam Cole baybay!” and the entire crowd chanted along.
Cole started climbing the ladder but Sullivan shoved it over. Dream bashed Lars with a ladder and then hopped up to top rope. Dream delivered a Purple Rainmaker Elbow to Dain and then followed it up with another one to Adam Cole. Dream climbed up to the top rope once again and and hit a Purple Rainmaker Elbow to the back of Ricochet. Velveteen struggled to set up the ladder and Sullivan shoved him to the corner with the ladder pressed up against his face. Sullivan then charged at Dream but Velveteen was ready and threw the ladder into Sullivan’s face.
Dream made his way up a bigger ladder set up in the corner as Sullivan was on the mat in the ring. Velveteen stood on top of the ladder and connected with a beautiful Purple Rainmaker Elbow to Sullivan as the crowd chanted “Velveteen!”. Dream started climbing up the ladder but EC3 snuck up from behind and Powerbombed him onto the ladder set up in the corner.
ECW hit Neckbreakers on Dain and Sullivan. EC3 made his way up the ladder but Cole brought him back down. Cole made his way up the ladder but EC3 lifted him up onto his shoulders and planted him with a TKO off the ladder. Dain got back into the ring and booted EC3 in the face.
Killian grabbed a ladder and dropped it on top of EC3. Dain then hit a Senton onto the ladder on top of EC3. Dain put the ladder back on top of EC3 and started climbing the turnbuckle. Cole joined up there but Dain fought through it and hit a Vader Bomb with Cole on his back on top of EC3 and the ladder.
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Ricochet hopped back in the ring and started kicking Dain and Sullivan. Lars grabbed him by the throat and launched him across the ring. Dain then grabbed Ricochet and launched him across the ring again and Ricochet fell out of the ring. Lars and Killian started trading massive punches in the ring. Dain connected with a boot and followed it up with a Clothesline to knock Sullivan to the mat. Dain charged at Lars but Sullivan caught him and slammed him down to the mat.
Lars started climbing the ladder but Ricochet attacked him from behind. Ricochet connected with a kick to the side of the head and made his way up the ladder. Lars grabbed the bottom of the ladder and started tipping it back. Ricochet then hit an absurd Moonsault off the ladder onto Cole and Dain on the outside of the ring as the crowd erupted into a “holy sh*t!” chant.
Back in the ring, EC3 perched Ricochet up on the top rope and hit him with a couple of chops. Ricochet booted EC3 onto a ladder and connected with another awesome Shooting Star Press onto EC3. Ricochet started climbing the ladder, but Dream dragged him back down. Dream tried to hit Ricochet with the ladder but missed. Dream set up a ladder between the turnbuckle and in between the rungs of another ladder. Dream started climbing up as Ricochet stood on the ladder set up on across the ring. Velveteen Dream then planted Ricochet with a rolling Death Valley Driver onto the ladder and then both Superstars crashed to the canvas.
Dream rolled out of the ring and Sullivan leveled him with a Clothesline. Lars placed Dream on the ladder set up between the ring and the announce table. Sullivan hopped up on the ring apron and then brought EC3 out there. Lars lifted EC3 up and planted him with a Freak Accident on top of Dream on the ladder and the ladder snapped in half as the three Superstars fell to the floor.
Dain set up another ladder between the ring and the barricade. Killian slammed Ricochet onto the ladder and then grabbed Adam Cole on the ring apron. Dain lifted Cole up and jumped onto Ricochet and once again a ladder snapped in half and the three Superstars crashed to the floor. The NXT crowd chanted “fight forever” as Sullivan was the first Superstar to make his way onto the ring apron.
Lars set up the ladder in the ring and started to climb towards the title suspended above the ring. Killian Dain climbed up the other side and the two started trading punches. EC3 got back into the ring with a ladder and struck them both with it. He then set up the ladder beside them as Cole crawled back into the ring. Cole, EC3, Dain and Sullivan were then all on the two ladders in the ring trading shots. Velveteen Dream got back into the ring and set up a third ladder in the ring.
Velveteen started climbing up the third ladder and then Ricochet joined the party and everyone was battling on the ladders. Cole climbed up behind EC3 and slammed him to the mat and they both fell out of the ring. Dream and Ricochet traded punches but Ricochet planted him with an avalanche Neckbreaker off the ladder. Dain and Sulivan then were the two Superstars left on the ladders. Sullivan planted Dain with a Freak Accident and once again Lars was the only Superstar left in the ring.
Sullivan started climbing up the ladder, but Ricochet jumped on his back and both Superstars fell to the mat as the ladder fell over. Ricochet made his way up the ladder but Adam Cole got into the ring and tipped it over and Ricochet fell out of the ring. Adam Cole then scaled the ladder and grabbed the title to become the first-ever NXT North American Champion.
Opinion: NXT TakeOver: New Orleans got off to an incredible start with this match. There is nothing to complain about here at all, the match was awesome and exceeded expectations. Ricochet made one hell of an NXT debut tonight and showed off his stunning athleticism. It is going to be difficult to top this one tonight. Cole will once again have to compete later in the NXT Tag Team Championship match because Bobby Fish is out with an injury. Give that man a raise.
Shayna Baszler Is The New NXT Women’s Champion
Ember Moon defended her NXT Women’s Championship tonight against Shayna Baszler. There was a live performance of Ember’s entrance music as the NXT Women’s Champion made her way down to the ring. Ronda Rousey and Jessamyn Duke were shown in the crowd cheering for Baszler and she came down to the ring.
Moon missed with a Dropkick to start off the match and Shayna leveled her with a right hand that knocked Ember out of the ring. Moon battled back and this time connected with a Dropkick that sent Baszler flying into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Moon applied a Crossface but Baszler quickly grabbed the ropes to break the hold.
Shayna brought Moon back outside the ring and slammed her face-first into the ring apron. Shayna then bashed her into the barricade and threw her into the ring. Baszler connected with a running knee and followed it up with a Gutwrench Suplex for a two count.
Ember flipped across the ring and delivered an elbow. Shayna connected with a knee to the face and then Ember went for a roll-up, but Shayna kicked out at two. Baszler then connected with a jumping knee to the face for another two count. Baszler went for the Kirifuda Clutch but Moon was able to escape. Moon planted Baszler with another Dropkick and followed it up with a Suplex.
Moon slammed Shayna face-first into the canvas for a two count. Shayna tried to stomp on Moon’s arm but Ember escaped and tripped Baszler down to the mat. Moon then trapped Shayna’s hand up her foot and stomped on Baszler’s elbow. Moon grabbed Shayna’s arm and slammed her to the mat for a two count.
Ember made her way to the top rope but Baszler bounced into the ropes and crotched Ember on the top rope. Baszler connected with a corner Dropkick and Ember got hung up in the ropes. Baszler was favoring her arm and then slammed into the ring post a couple of times to pop her shoulder back into place. Moon knocked Shayna to the floor and then leaped off the second rope and connected with an Eclipse outside the ring.
Shayna and Ember got back into the ring at the last second to beat the 10-count. Baszler immediately locked in the Kirifuda Clutch in the ring, but Moon attacked Shayna’s injured arm to break the hold. Shayna locked in a Triangle submission but Moon showed off her strength and Powerbombed Baszler for a two count.
Moon went for another Eclipse but Shayna executed an incredible counter and locked in the Kirifuda Clutch in the middle of the ring. Shayna grabbed on to her own hair for leverage because she couldn’t fully apply the hold due to her injured arm. Moon started to fade as she reached for the ropes. Shayna rolled her back into the middle of the ring while still having the Kirifuda Clutch locked in. The camera zoomed in on Ember’s face as she started to fade. Moon tried once again to break free but Shayna wouldn’t let go. Moon then passed out and Shayna Baszler won the NXT Women’s Championship. After the match, Baszler celebrated with Rousey and Duke in the front row.
Opinion: Shayna Baszler deserved to win this match. She has been great on NXT and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Ember Moon on the main roster in the near future. Moon and Baszler had a tough task trying to follow the Ladder Match, but they wound up putting on a very good bout. I’m looking forward to seeing who can step up in the NXT women’s division to try and take the belt from Baszler.
Roderick Strong Joined Undisputed Era
Adam Cole was shown backstage being attended to by the medical staff. Kyle O’Reilly showed up and Cole said that he doesn’t know if he can defend the tag titles with him. Mauro Ranallo announced that NXT GM William Regal is not here tonight due to an illness, but it has been determined that Cole must compete in the tag match. Cole & O’Reilly then defended the NXT Tag Team Championships against The Authors of Pain and Roderick Struck & Pete Dunne. The match would also determine the winners of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament. Kyle O’Reilly came down to the entrance ramp as Cole limped behind with his ribs wrapped up. Dustin Rhodes and Jeff Jarrett were shown in the crowd before the match.
Akam and Rezar attacked Undisputed Era to start off the match. Cole was booted out of the ring and then O’Reilly was booted in the face. AOP launched Dunne out of the ring and then teamed up on O’Reilly to plant him with a Neckbreaker. AOP went for the cover but Cole broke it up. Cole was once again thrown out of the ring and AOP cleared off an announce table.
AOP then Powerbombed Adam Cole through the announce table. Kyle O’Reilly connected with a knee to the face off the apron and then battled Strong in the ring. Dunne locked in a Wrist Lock on O’Reilly but Kyle quickly broke free and knocked Dunne on his ass. Strong planted O’Reilly with a Backbreaker and then Dropkicked Rezar in the face that knocked him out of the ring.
Strong hit O’Reilly with another Backbreaker for a two count. O’Reilly locked in a Triangle submission on Strong and then locked in an Ankle Lock on Rezar. Akam then Powerbombed Dunne onto O’Reilly to break everything up. AOP trapped Strong in the corner and beat him down.
Rezar applied a Chin Lock to Strong in the middle of the ring. O’Reilly got back into the ring and went after Rezar. Rezar planted him with an overhead Suplex and O’Reilly tumbled out of the ring. AOP once again teamed up on Strong and beat him down for a couple of minutes. Akam tagged in and kneed Strong in the midsection. O’Reilly got back into the ring and was greeted with a boot to the face. Strong tagged in Dunne and the crowd erupted.
Pete Dunne connected with an Enziguri to Akam and then booted O’Reilly in the side of the head. Dunne connected with a DDT on Rezar for a two count. O’Reilly got back up and traded shots with Dunne. Akam decked them both with a running Clothesline. AOP connected with dueling Powerbombs on Dunne and O’Reilly.
Strong got back into the ring for a second but was quickly tossed back outside. Roderick tagged in and kneed Rezar in the face. Strong followed it up with an Olympic Slam for a two count. Dunne tagged back in as Strong slammed O’Reilly back-first on the ring apron. Dunne followed it up with a Double Stomp to O’Reilly. Strong & Dunne teamed up on Rezar and went for the cover but Akam broke it up.
Strong knocked Akam out of the ring and then threw him into the steel steps. Dunne booted O’Reilly in the head and then hit O’Reilly with a Bitter End. Dunne went for the cover but Roderick Strong betrayed his tag team partner and booted him in the head. Strong then planted Dunne with the End of Heartache and dragged O’Reilly on top of him for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Cole crawled back in the ring with a smile on his face as Strong walked over Dunne. Roderick took off an Undisputed Era arm band on Cole and put his on his arm. Strong lifted Cole and O’Reilly up and the crowd chanted “yes!”. Strong gave them the NXT Tag Team Championships and raised their hands in the ring. Undisputed Era retained their titles and won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament. Bobby Fish came out to the entrance ramp on crutches and celebrated with Strong, Cole and O’Reilly.
Opinion: The match itself was solid, but the finish was great. The entire crowd chanted “yes!” when Strong turned heel and joined Undisputed Era. Strong is a great replacement for Bobby Fish while he recovers and it just makes sense for him to be a part of Undisputed Era. NXT TakeOver: New Orleans turned out to be a great night for the Undisputed Era. As for AOP, they are a team that is absolutely ready to join the main roster and make an immediate impact.
Aleister Black Won The NXT Championship
Andrade “Cien” Almas defended his NXT Championship against Aleister Black tonight at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. Black came down to the ring as the crowd sang along to his entrance music. NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas came down to the ring with Zelina Vega by his side.
Black started out the match in control and connected with a flurry of strikes. Aleister booted Almas out of the ring and then connected with a Moonsault off the second rope outside the ring. Black threw Almas back into the ring as Vega shouted at him. Almas attacked Black as he got back into the ring, but Black locked him in the Octopus hold. Almas countered into a roll-up for two and then rolled out of the ring.
Aleister followed him and punched him in the face a couple of times. Black connected with a kick and threw Almas into the ring. Vega hopped up on the ring apron and connected with a Hurricanrana to Black that sent him flying into the ring steps. Almas immediately capitalized and beatdown Black before bringing him back to the ring.
Dueling “lets go Almas!” and “Aleister!” chants broke out as Andrade remained in control. Almas locked in an Arm Bar while on the ropes and broke the hold before the ref counted to five. Almas connected with a springboard Dropkick and then applied a Chin Lock. Black battled to his feet and slammed Almas into the turnbuckle to break the hold. Almas went for a Sleeper Hold but Black escaped. Almas locked in the Arm Bar once again on the ropes for a few seconds. Black connected with a knee to the face and both Superstars fell to the canvas.
Black leveled Almas with a shoulder tackle and then connected with a kick to the face. Aleister flipped onto Almas off the ropes for a two count. Black climbed up to the top rope, but Almas connected with a forearm to the face. Almas joined Black on the top rope and went for a Superplex but Black blocked it. Almas planted Black with a German Suplex and then climbed back up to the top. Almas went for a Moonsault but Black rolled out of the way. Andrade then immediately hit a standing Moonsault for a two count.
Black connected with a knee to the face, but Almas responded with an elbow to the head for a one count. Aleister connected with a massive kick to the face for a two count as Vega was freaking out by the ring apron.
Andrade and Aleister hit kicks to the face at the same time and both Superstars fell to the canvas. Almas connected with an Arm Drag that sent Black crashing to the turnbuckle. Almas then shoved Black out of the ring and followed it up with an awesome Corkscrew Splash. Almas brought Black back into the ring and attempted a cover but Black kicked out at two.
Zelina Vega ripped the title away from the timekeeper and gave it to Almas. Andrade brought it into the ring and the referee took it away. While the ref was distracted, Zega hit Black with another Hurricanrana and spiked Black’s head into the mat. Almas went for the cover but Aleister somehow kicked out at two.
Almas went for the Hammerlock DDT but Black countered into a roll-up for two. Aleister connected with Black Mass and went for the cover but Zelina Vega placed Almas’ foot on the rope to break up the pinfall attempt. Vega grabbed Black’s foot and Almas tripped up Aleister and hung him up in the ropes. Almas climbed to the top rope and hit him with a Double Stomp on the ring apron. Almas connected with the Double Knees to the face for another two count.
The crowd chanted “this is awesome!” as Almas went for the Hammerlock DDT again. Black blocked it, but Almas connected with a boot to the back of the head as Aleister was going for the Black Mass.
The action spilled to the ring apron as Almas placed Black against the ring post. Almas hit Double Knees again against the steel ring post as the referee asked if Black could continue. Black mumbled “yes” as Almas grabbed him by the hair and draped him across the top rope. Black tumbled into the ring and connected with a Back Body Drop that sent Andrade flying to the floor outside the ring.
Black flipped onto Almas and then rolled him back into the ring. Andrade grabbed Aleister while he was getting back into the ring and planted him with the Hammerlock DDT. Almas went for the cover but Black kicked out at two. Vega went for a Crossbody on Black but Aleister dodged it. Almas caught Vega and then Aleister connected with the Black Mass on Almas and he crashed to the canvas as Vega fell out of the ring. Black then pinned Almas to become the new NXT Champion.
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Opinion: What an awesome match this was. The crowd was worn out when the match started, but their energy picked up towards the end and it added to the match. The Aleister Black era in NXT has begun and I cannot wait to see what he does as NXT Champion. Black not only overcame Almas tonight, he was able to withstand the constant interference of Zelina Vega. I’ve said this a few times, but I absolutely love the pairing of Almas and Vega. They work so well together and Vega added a lot to this match.
Johnny Gargano Won His Job Back
Johnny Gargano faced his former tag partner, Tommaso Ciampa, tonight in an Unsanctioned Match inthe main event of NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. If Ciampa won the match, Gargano’s NXT career is over. If Gargano won, he would rejoin NXT’s roster. Tommaso came down to the ring without entrance music and to a chorus of boos from the crowd. The crowd then chanted “a**hole!” before transitioning into a very loud “you suck!” chant. They then shouted “fu** you Ciampa!” as Tommaso posed on the turnbuckle. Ciampa shouted “this is my moment!” as the chants continued.
Gargano’s Rebel Heart music hit and the NXT crowd erupted. Johnny marched to the ring as Tommaso eagerly waited for him. Gargano got into the ring as the crowd chanted “Johnny Wrestling!”. The bell rang and the two Superstars had a stare down in the ring. Gargano started off the match in control and beatdown Ciampa in the corner. Johnny stomped a bunch of times as the crowd got on their feet. Gargano slung Ciampa into the turnbuckle and then Clotheslined him out of the ring. Johnny connected with a Suicide Dive outside the ring.
Ciampa battled back as the crowd booed. Johnny sent Ciampa tumbling over the barricade and into the crowd. Johnny then leaped over the barricade and knocked Tommaso to the floor. Gargano delivered a few punches to the face. Ciampa shoved Gargano into the barricade and then dropped him ribs-first across the barricade. Ciampa unloaded a series of strikes to Gargano’s back while he was on the barricade and then shoved him to the floor. Tommaso followed up the beatdown with a Backbreaker and shouted that Johnny was a piece of garbage. Tommaso ripped up the padding to expose the concrete floor beneath it.
Ciampa went for a Suplex but Gargano escaped and booted him in the face from the ring apron. Johnny launched Ciampa over the announce table and onto Mauro and Percy as the crowd comically chanted “mamma mia!”. Gargano pulled Ciampa onto the table by his beard, but Tommaso connected with a punch to the ribs. Ciampa followed it up with a crazy Suplex off the table and to the floor.
Ciampa set up the top of the announce table and dropped Gargano back-first onto it. Ciampa hopped up on the table and took a seat as the crowd chanted “fu** you Ciampa!” once again. Tommaso brought Johnny back into the ring and elbowed him in the chest before raking at Gargano’s face. Tommaso stomped on Johnny’s hand as the crowd chanted “a**hole”.
Tommaso threw Gargano into the turnbuckle and Johnny crumbled to the floor. Gargano battled back with a couple of punches, but Ciampa planted him with a Suplex for a one count. Ciampa then locked in the Cloverleaf submission in the middle of the ring. Gargano reached the ropes but the referee couldn’t break the hold due to it being an Unsanctioned Match. Ciampa broke the hold and started stomping on the back of Gargano’s head. Ciampa then applauded himself and patted himself on the back.
Tommaso connected with a running knee to the face. Ciampa then shoved a fan that was on crutches and grabbed the crutches from him. Tommaso waved bye-bye to Gargano and brought the crutches into the ring. Ciampa missed with the crutch a few times and Gargano battled back for a moment. Johnny connected with a boot that sent Ciampa to the ring apron.
Gargano connected with a couple jabs to the face, but Tommaso tripped him up and Johnny fell to the canvas. Gargano then Powerbombed Ciampa onto the concrete floor outside the ring and the thud echoed throughout the arena. The crowd chanted “you deserve it!” as Ciampa rolled around in pain. The action returned to the ring as Gargano and Ciampa went for the crutch. Johnny won the battle for the crutch and started unloading on Ciampa with it.
Gargano missed with a swing and Ciampa sent him flying out of the ring. Johnny then hit Ciampa in the face with the crutch and followed it up with a slingshot DDT for a two count. Johnny exposed the metal ring under the middle turnbuckle and lifted Tommaso onto his shoulders. Ciampa escaped and dropped Gargano to the ring apron. Ciampa followed it up with a massive elbow to the face. Ciampa blasted Gargano with a knee to the face and followed it up with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count.
Ciampa geared up in the corner as Gargano slowly made his way to his feet. Tommaso did a DIY taunt and then connected with a knee to the back of the head for a two count. Ciampa clubbed Gargano in the back a couple of times, but Gargano battled back with a few Clotheslines but Ciampa didn’t go down. Ciampa decked Gargano with a Clothesline, but Johnny battled back and locked in the Gargano Escape.
Johnny maintained the hold in the middle the ring as the crowd chanted for Ciampa to tap out. Tommaso raked Gargano’s eyes to break up the hold as the crowd once again chanted “fu** you Ciampa!”. Ciampa took off the tape from his wrist and started choking Gargano with it. Johnny and Tommaso traded punches in the the middle of the ring as both were holding onto the tape. Johnny got the advantage and connected with a flurry of punches as the crowd chanted “yes!”. Ciampa then delivered a low-blow to Gargano and followed it up by hitting him with the crutch. Tommaso connected with a Powerbomb into a Double Knees for a two count.
Ciampa shouted that this was his moment and Gargano slapped him in the face. Ciampa hit a slap of his own but then turned around into a Superkick from Gargano. Johnny lifted Ciampa up onto his shoulders and threw him like a dart face-first into the exposed turnbuckle. Gargano hit a Superkick, did a DIY pose and delivered another Superkick to the face for another two count. Gargano and Ciampa battled on the turnbuckle. Tommaso connected with a headbutt and then Powerbombed Gargano onto his knees again off the second rope for another two count.
Ciampa took off his knee brace to expose his knee and got back to his feet. Tommaso charged at Gargano but Johnny grabbed the brace and struck Ciampa on his exposed knee. Gargano snapped a crutch in half and went to bash Ciampa in the head but stopped before hitting him. Both Superstars looked at each other and then Gargano dropped the crutch. Johnny sat next to Ciampa and Tommaso grabbed the brace and swung for his head. Gargano then locked in the Gargano Escape, transitioned into an STF and used the knee brace on Ciampa’s face for the submission victory. After the match, Candice LeRae ran down to the ring and celebrated with Johnny in the ring. With the victory, Johnny Gargano is once again back on the NXT roster.
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Opinion: NXT TakeOver: New Orleans was an awesome event tonight. The emotion involved in the match between Gargano and Ciampa was on another level. I don’t know how anyone that is a wrestling fan could not find that match captivating. The use of the knee brace of this match and the story told was also very well done. The show went off the air with a fitting image, it was Gargano holding up the broken crutch and the knee brace. Ciampa is legitimately hated by the crowd and the reaction he got tonight was amazing. Gargano has a connection with the NXT crowd that only few Superstars will ever attain. WrestleMania 34 has a tough act to follow tomorrow night.
