Tino Sabbatelli will be out of action for several months after suffering an injury at last Saturday’s NXT live event in Largo, Florida.
According to F4WOnline, Sabbatelli tore his pectoral muscle during a main event match against Velveteen Dream. The injury occurred when Dream gave him a dropkick. Sabbatelli immediately grabbed his chest and they finished the match moments later with Dream hitting him with the Purple Rainmaker.
Sabbatelli has since undergone surgery for the injury, which will likely require a six to nine month recuperation period.
The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time since WWE just started giving the 34-year-old a singles push.
On last week’s episode of NXT, Sabbatelli left tag team partner Riddick Moss high and dry during their match against Heavy Machinery.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BSgbWuVZPw&w=560&h=315]
Oh, you want to tag in @TinoSabbatelli?
Better luck next time, @riddickMoss. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/RaGznCBzzI
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 26, 2018
The two had been teasing a break-up for months due to frequent losses, but this interview where he declared Moss as “dead weight” made it official.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQpZ0HOib8M&w=560&h=315]
At the following night’s NXT live event in Orlando, Florida, Sabbatelli appeared in formal clothing and challenged NXT Champion Aleister Black to a match the next night in nearby Gainesville.
@TinoSabbatelli challenging the #nxt champ @WWEAleister at #NXTGainsville tomorrow night #nxt #WeAreNXT pic.twitter.com/NHJMicqgJ2
— ?? Libby ?? (@lahill122) April 27, 2018
The two worked the match, with Black pinning Sabbatelli.
Main Event – @WWEAleister vs. @TinoSabbatelli for the @WWENXT Championship. #NXTGainesville pic.twitter.com/Ws45kXvoa3
— FL Wrestling Fan (@FLWrestlingFan) April 28, 2018
One of the best dropkicks in pro wrestling belongs to @TinoSabbatelli. You agree @Hooked_On_NXT? #NXTGainesville pic.twitter.com/da2et5LtcH
— FL Wrestling Fan (@FLWrestlingFan) April 28, 2018
MAIN EVENT – @WWEAleister pinned @TinoSabbatelli to retain the @WWENXT Championship. Just the beginning for both men. #NXTGainesville pic.twitter.com/GQT8qgTHBl
— FL Wrestling Fan (@FLWrestlingFan) April 28, 2018
A former NFL player, Sabbatelli — real name Sabatino “Sabby” Piscitelli — was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Sabbatelli spent six seasons playing the Safety position before joining the WWE Performance Center in October 2014. He made his NXT television debut in October 2016, teaming with Moss. They didn’t get a push, however, as the two did not get a win on television until last October.
