The Motor City Machine Guns have officially arrived in WWE, debuting during the October 18, edition of WWE SmackDown after weeks of vignettes. Now, fans can look forward to seeing Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin in action next week in what will be nothing short of a dream match for fans of tag-team wrestling!

On this week’s SmackDown, MCMG won their debut match against A-Town Down Under and Los Garza, advancing in a tournament to determine the number one contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championships. The show also saw DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa) advance in the tournament with a win over Pretty Deadly and the Street Profits. DIY and the Motor City Machine Guns will face off next week with the winners earning a shot against The Bloodline.

DIY and MCMG are two talented teams who both established loyal fanbases on the independents before arriving in WWE. Now, fans will get to see these four talented wrestlers do what they do best with a shot at the WWE Tag Team Titles on the line.

WWE SmackDown – 10/25/2024

Next week’s SmackDown will be the penultimate episode of the blue brand before WWE Crown Jewel on November 2. Here is the confirmed card as it currently stands.

• DIY (Tomasso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) Vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley (WWE Tag Team Championship No. 1 contenders match)
• World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER will come to SmackDown to come face-to-face with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes ahead of Crown Jewel.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for full coverage of SmackDown including breaking news and live results.

WWE star Tommaso Ciampa recently hit a major milestone on recovery from hip surgery.

Ciampa, a 2-time NXT Champion, had a memorable run as part of WWE’s developmental brand. He and Johnny Gargano are former NXT Tag-Team Champions as part of the beloved DIY tag team. The partners would later go on to feud in what would become one of the brand’s most heated rivalries ever.

Ciampa has been out of action since last summer. His most recent match on the main roster took place in August 2022. He and The Miz defeated Bobby Lashley and AJ Styles by disqualification on the August 22 episode of Monday Night RAW.

He underwent surgery in October and is expected to be out of action for several more months.

Tommaso Ciampa Injury Update

Ciampa recently took to Instagram and he revealed that he’s completed his final day of stem cell therapy treatment. Tommaso Ciampa wrote on Friday:

“Today was my final stem cell treatment. They have this awesome tradition at @bioxcellerator where you write what you are hoping to achieve on your stem cell bag. I wrote “dance with buddies” which is Willow’s term for wrestling, and “play tag” because it breaks my heart that I can’t run and play with my 4 year old.

130 million cells via IV 190 million cells via intraarticular (ankles, knees, hips, shoulders) 40 million cells via intradiscal (lumbar spine, facets, SI joints) 360 million stem cells in total. Let’s heal! ?

Mommy, Daddy, Willow Forever ?”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tommaso Ciampa (@ciampawwe)

Former NXT Champion, Tommaso Ciampa, has provided an injury update via his Twitter account. He posted the news on his 34th birthday, referring to himself as “The Greatest Sports Entertainer Of All Time” whilst doing so.

“Got the results to my 2 month follow up x-ray. Doc said ‘this doesn’t look good…it looks great’. Happy Birthday to The Greatest Sports Entertainer of All Time#PartWolverine#AllBlackheart”

Succesful Surgery

Ciampa, who relinquished the title due to injury and his subsequent need for neck surgery, underwent the required operation two months ago.

Despite the fantastic update, there is still no set date as to when the WWE Universe can expect an in-ring return.

His full recovery time is projected to be between nine months to a year, though he did return to a light training regimen last week.

Main Roster Call-Up

Tommaso Ciampa joined a number of NXT Superstars earlier this year in their main roster call-ups. He would accompany Johnny Gargano, Aleister Black, and Ricochet, wrestling on both Monday Night RAW and SmackDown Live.

His main roster run was unfortunately scuppered due to the severity of his injury. This put a halt to WWE’s plans for him, which allegedly included a continuation of the fantastic Ciampa/Gargano feud that unfolded on NXT.

Tomasso Ciampa is back training just seven weeks after undergoing neck fusion surgery.

The former NXT Champion took to his Instagram account on Wednesday to announce that he has begun lifting light weights in his rehabilitation effort.

Ciampa says that he is limited to just five pounds on most of his lifts.

According to Johns Hopkins Hospital, that is in line with what can be expected on a typical recovery timetable.

Ciampa was originally scheduled to headline the NXT TakeOver New York event on WrestleMania weekend. Ciampa would have defended the NXT title against Johnny Gargano.

That was expected to be the blow-off of their NXT feud, as both men had made WWE main roster appearances this year.

Ciampa originally captured the NXT title on an episode of NXT TV that aired on July 25, 2018. He relinquished the title on an episode that aired on March 20, 2019.

With Ciampa back training, it remains to be seen whether he ends up back in NXT, or slated for the main roster.

Where do you hope to see Ciampa when he returns?

If there is one topic we can imagine Triple H must love to talk about, then its NXT, a show he has nourished from a development territory limited to a university campus to a global touring brand.

During a recent media conference call, the WWE COO again talked about the Black and Yellow brand and provided some interesting stats on the show and the recent events related to it.

H first discussed the former NXT Champion Tomasso Ciampa’s unfortunate injury and revealed that they were aware of his condition prior to his main roster debut.

They wanted Ciampa to get some main roster experience before surgery, but the situation with him went from something manageable to a risk they couldn’t take.

Another interesting thing he revealed was that Vince McMahon has the final say on all NXT callups. He decides which stars to bring up to the main roster and contarary to the popular belief you can’t say “you can’t have him” to the boss.

Some other notes from the conference call include:

• “There is much more to come.” said Triple H when asked about Lars Sullivan
• Aleister Black and Ricochet will be assigned to a brand the night after WrestleMania
• After SmackDown’s move to Fox, the WrestleMania weekend TakeOver is likely to be moved back to Saturday Night
• He is interested in the idea of bringing in more managers to NXT

Apart from this, the Game also revealed that as a touring brand NXT has proven to be profitable. While Triple H didn’t go into detail, this is still a great news for the fans of the brand as it will make his case of possibly moving main roster stars to NXT stronger.

Last night saw the main roster debuts for a number of NXT’s top Superstars including Tomasso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Ricochet, and Aleister Black.

Ciampa and Gargano — officially teaming up again for the first time since their initial split as DIY — would wrestle and defeat the current RAW tag team champions, The Revival. This was a non-title matchup.

NXT Superstars coming in and beating main roster champions may have surprised a number of the WWE Universe. It didn’t, however, surprise Ciampa.

Catching up with Cathy Kelley backstage, the two discussed their main roster debut, with Ciampa claiming that the fans will “remember us forever.”

“I don’t know, it’s a weird feeling,” Gargano admitted. “I don’t know really how to feel [about debuting]. I don’t think any of it has set in yet. I’m one of those types of people that kind of takes things as they come. This has all been such a whirlwind — I don’t know, I’m numb right now. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but I’m incredibly numb. Yeah, I don’t know…”

Ciampa then took the reigns and stated that “This is not a surprise. We’re the two best performers in all of WWE. We turned NXT into the A-Show. We walked into Monday Night RAW and we beat the tag team champions on our first night. This isn’t happenstance. I’m the greatest sports entertainer of all time. He’s Johnny Wrestling. Whether you call us DIY or not doesn’t matter. You will call us champions, you will call us legends, you will remember us forever.”

Do you agree? What’s next for the NXT champions? Will they become a mainstay on the red brand?

There’s no denying that Tomasso Ciampa has been tearing it up as NXT Champion. He’s been instrumental in helping to craft deeper, subtler stories and feuds that seem totally foreign compared with how main roster narratives tend to play out.

It’s a fact that isn’t lost on Ciampa, who has been vocal in the past via his social media accounts about how highly he regards himself.

At a recent NXT live event in St. Paul (12/8), he once again defeated rising superstar, The Velveteen Dream. After earning the victory, however, Ciampa took to the mic in order to remind the people in attendance just how good he actually is. During this promo, he would call himself a “god of pro wrestling.” He also credits himself as the sole reason that NXT ticket sales have gone up.

“I Am What I Say I am”

Tomasso stated that every time he shares the ring with the Velveteen Dream, he’s reminded of just how good Dream is. That, in turn, reinfoces a more important personal truth: “[…] it reminds me I am what I say I am. I’m the greatest damn sports entertainer of all time.”

“But that really doesn’t matter,” he continued, “because what matters is numbers. Last year, when I was on the shelf and NXT came to this very building, they had 600 less people paying for tickets [and] that says the damn champ is a draw!”

“[…] I’ve been only back for eight months and think of everything that Tommaso Ciampa has accomplished. I am a god of professional wrestling,” he proclaimed. “You should worship every step I take and every word that comes out of my mouth. I am what carries this brand. I single-handedly turned NXT into the ‘A Show.’”

Ciampa ended his tirade by passionately claiming that “[…] everybody back there likes to go around and hashtag ‘We Are NXT,’ newsflash – uh uh – I am NXT!”

After an encounter with @VelveteenWWE in #NXTSTPaul, @ProjectCiampa let’s the #NXTUniverse know who the greatest sports entertainer in the world is and why. pic.twitter.com/jxSLWsffep

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 9, 2018

What do you make of this? Do you consider Ciampa to be a “god” of wrestling a la JBL?

Tomasso Ciampa doesn’t care about Seth Rollins’ attempts at proving himself to be a fighting champion.

Rollins hosted an open challenge for his Intercontinental Championship last night on Raw. He would go on to successfully defend his title against the man who answered the challenge, Dolph Ziggler.

Prior to Raw, Rollins took to Twitter to hype up the open challenge:

Time to refocus heading towards Ambrose and #TLC. I learn the most by testing myself…so the #ICTitle Open Challenge returns tomorrow night on #Raw. #mondaynightrollins It’s go time.

— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) November 26, 2018

The current NXT champion, “Blackheart” Tomasso Ciampa, however, took chagrin to the Tweet and the entire concept of an open challenge.

In a not-so-subtle shot, the NXT champion highlighted that “Cena had the US Title Open Challenge. Rollins has the IC Title Open Challenge,” but “CIAMPA does not, nor will he ever, offer an NXT Title Open Challenge.”

He bluntly stated that if “You want a shot at The Champ, earn it,” before signing off with “#ZeroParticipationAwards”.

The concept of the open challenge has become repopularized over the past few years, with both Cena and Rollins having hosted a successful series that helped to regain some prestige to the title they were defending. Cena’s long-running open challenge, in particular, helped to elevate the flagging US championship at the time.

https://twitter.com/ProjectCiampa/status/1067125538643476481

What do you think of Open Challenges? Do you agree with Tomasso Ciampa?

Tommaso Ciampa won the NXT Championship on July 18th, 2018 in Full Sail University. The match where he defeated Aleister Black for the title aired 13 days ago on the WWE Network.

Ciampa recently sent out the following message to commemorate an unlucky 13 days as champion.

https://twitter.com/projectciampa/status/1026833788754685952?s=21

“I have been the NXT World Champion for 13 days,” Ciampa Tweeted. “During that time, I’ve successfully defended my title against Aleister Black, Velveteen Dream, and EC3. You are witnessing the greatest NXT Title reign in history. Don’t take my gift for granted. Enjoy every second of it.”

Tommaso Ciampa NXT Champion

Since the July 18th tapings from Winter Park, Florida, Ciampa has defended the title 4x on NXT house shows. He defeated Aleister Black in a rematch at the San Diego house show just 8 days after winning the title. The following night Ciampa teamed with the Velveteen Dream in a losing effort to EC3 and Black at a house show in Riverside, CA.

Ciampa then defeated Aleister Black for a 3rd straight time on the 28th of July when he beat him on a Las Vegas house show. He then defeated the Velveteen Dream at a house show from Phoenix. Finally, 3 days ago Ciampa defeated EC3 at a house show in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The 33-year-old Ciampa is in his second stint with the company, having previously been under a developmental deal from 2005-2007.

Tommaso Ciampa is the new NXT Champion. Title changes on weekly WWE NXT television are rare these days but a changing of the guard at the top of the brand for the developmental system has taken place.

Tommaso Ciampa beat Aleister Black to win the NXT Title on this week’s episode of NXT on the WWE Network, which was taped on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, from Winter Park, FL at Full Sail University. As a result of winning this match, it marks the first time that Ciampa has held the title.

Ciampa is now the 16th champion in the history of the NXT Title that was created back in 2012 when the inaugural champion was Seth Rollins when the brand was first introduced to the WWE fans. Ciampa is also a former NXT Tag Team Champion under the WWE banner when he won the titles with Johnny Gargano, who he had been feuding with for the past few months on television where they would later headline the last two TakeOver events.

Black held the title for 102 days once when he won it from Andrade “Cien” Almas during Survivor Series weekend at NXT TakeOver: WarGames in November of 2017 in Houston, Texas.

The next NXT special is NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4, which with everything that has gone on in this brand lately, it will be interesting to see how WWE books the new few weeks of television for the NXT brand leading up to this event that is slated to go down on Saturday, August 18, 2018 in Brooklyn, New York at the Barclays Center and will air on the WWE Network.

What are your thoughts on this title change? Sound off in the comment section.

NXT star Tommaso Ciampa is currently in Birmingham, Alabama to undergo ACL surgery later this week. We won’t know the full extent of his injury until after the knee surgery, but the typical recovery time for this procedure is six to nine months.

Ciampa was injured at an NXT live event just days before Takeover: Chicago during a tag team match against Sanity, as seen below.

https://twitter.com/briantheguppie/status/865415082850697218

After Ciampa’s stunning attack on Johnny Gargano at the conclusion of NXT Takeover: Chicago last weekend, many fans were hoping for the former DIY tag team partners to settle their differences at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn during SummerSlam weekend in August. An in-ring return less than three months from now seems overly ambitious.

Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano captured the NXT Tag Team Championships for the first time at TakeOver: Toronto. The Revival had been champions since the summer when the captured the gold at TakeOver: The End.

https://twitter.com/projectciampa/status/800197797261742081

Meanwhile, Mickie James made her first ‘WWE’ appearance in 6-years at Takeover, coming up short against NXT Women’s Champion Asuka. Mickie is deeply disappointed by the loss, but returning to WWE, even if it was only for one night, was a victory for her.

Here are the results from PROGRESS Chapter 36, emanating from the 02 Academy in Brixton, London:

TOMORROW! Near on 2400 fans watching Progress at @O2academybrix. Be there – final tickets at https://t.co/k90J5rA7DT pic.twitter.com/DLJDVclLHi

— PROGRESS Wrestling (@ThisIs_Progress) September 24, 2016

Rampage Brown b. Joe Coffey – Rampage hit a Piledriver to become the first ever ATLAS Champion

Jinny, Alex Windsor & Dahlia Black b.Pollyanna, Laura DiMatteo & Nixon Newell – Jinny pinned Di Matteo following an X-Factor style Facebuster from the second rope

Pastor William Eaver vs Sebastian – This bout went to a no-contest when Sebastian was legitimately knocked out by a Lariat in the opening seconds of the match. Later in the night it was confirmed that he was on his feet and generally ok.

British Strong Style (Trent Seven & Pete Dunne) b. The London Riots – BSS took the win to become the new PROGRESS Tag Team Champions 

Paul Robinson b. Chuck Mambo – In an impromptu bout, Robinson took the win via pinfall

Zack Sabre Jr b. Tomasso Ciampa – In a fantastic 2 out of 3 falls match ZSJ took the third fall and the win via submission, the first two falls occurred simultaneously when both men’s shoulders where on the mat

The Origin b. FSU, Damon Moser & Jack Gallagher – Gallagher took the pinfall in his final performance for the company before joining RAW and the Cruiserweight Division full time, he received a standing ovation from the crowd following the match.

Mark Haskins b. Tommy End & Marty Scurll – Haskins took the submission win over Scurll after Jimmy Havoc interfered to a HUGE reaction from the Brixton crowd, this was also Tommy End’s final independent date and company owner Jim Smallman brought Gallagher and Ciampa out at the end for a curtain call.

https://twitter.com/MartyScurll/status/780004335136702468

It was also announced that PROGRESS would be returning the the Brixton Academy in September 2017

– WWE’s new cruiserweight division is set to launch on the September 19th edition of Monday Night RAW. In addition to names such as Rich Swann, Noam Dar, Brian Kendrick and TJ Perkins, fellow Cruiserweight Classic competitors Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa will also be part of the division.

– As of this writing, the following matches have been confirmed for WWE Backlash, the first SmackDown-exclusive PPV scheduled for 9/11:

• WWE World champion Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles
• Tag Team Tournament Finals to crown new champions
• Six-Pack Challenge to crown a new SmackDown Women’s Champion

It’s worth noting that local ads in Virginia are also promoting Randy Oron vs. Bray Wyatt for the show.

– For once a man of few words, Kevin Owens tweeted the following about his Universal championship win on RAW:

https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/770505050334621696

Finn Balor congratulated Kevin Owens on Monday night, telling his former rival, We have been through it all together. I’ve no doubt we will go through it all again.”  The champ has since responded:

https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/770571016544350208

WWE also posted this photo of Kevin Owens being photographed with the Universal Championship.

The Barclays Center is filling up for tonight’s NXT Takeover: Brooklyn event and as seen below, the crowd is rowdy.

EXCLUSIVE: The excitement is PALPABLE for tonight's #NXTTakeOver: Brooklyn II on @WWENetwork! NXT! NXT! NXT! https://t.co/6ZEEyH7i8b

— WWE (@WWE) August 20, 2016

Bayley will face NXT Women’s Champion Asuka tonight and is very confident going into the match. She tweeted earlier:

Want to know something cool? I know for a fact that Asuka is not as ready as I am for tonight. #NXTTakeOverBrooklyn

— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) August 20, 2016

Speaking of that match, WWE Women’s Champion Sasha Banks speaks to WWE reporters in the video below and predicts that Bayley will defeat Asuka tonight. Sasha says Bayley is the best but she hopes she joins her on RAW soon.

No Way Jose talks about his match with Austin Aries in this new video and says Aries can no longer run after tonight:

WWE posted this video of Gargano and Ciampa arriving for Takeover. They call tonight’s match against NXT Tag Team Champions Dash & Dawson the biggest night of their lives. Bobby Roode makes an appearance as well.

– NXT star and CWC competitor Tomasso Ciampa has a great suggestion for Mick Foley about how WWE can kick off the Cruiserweight division on RAW:

https://twitter.com/ProjectCiampa/status/764520390261702656

As noted earlier, RAW’s Cruiserweight division is expected to launch next month.

– It’s now confirmed that NXT will be touring Australia and New Zealand for the first time later this year. No further information is available has been released at this time, but if you live down under you can register at TEGDainy.com to receive more info when it’s announced.

It's OFFICIAL – @WWENXT is coming downunder! Register to stay updated at https://t.co/4MzipHsizp #WWEAustralia pic.twitter.com/gTb2mf2FWi

— WWE Australia (@WWEAustralia) August 14, 2016

After competing at last week’s NXT tapings from Full Sail University, former ROH star Tommaso Ciampa is denying that he’s been dealing with a neck injury. Ciampa said the reports are false and noted that he was completely healthy.

Ciampa appeared with independent star Johnny Gargano at NXT last week and also worked a recent TNA Impact Wrestling taping a match with Crazzy Steve.

https://twitter.com/ProjectCiampa/status/633046435357925376