NXT Takeover Phoenix Review: Tommaso Ciampa (c) vs. Aleister Black (NXT Championship)

Introduction

This is the main event of the evening.

Ciampa has shown himself to be a phenomenal heel. I still remember how great it was in his match against Johnny Gargano when he walked out to no entrance music, and all you could hear were the boos of the crowd. Since then he's only gotten better, and he's picked up the NXT Title along the way. The previous holder of the belt Aleister Black is looking to get his title back, and this should be an excellent encounter between these two.

I would like Black to win, but I think Ciampa is going to retain.

Moments

• Black uses the 2nd rope as a springboard for a backflip. Very impressive.
• Ciampa is shocked on the outside. Black sits down cross legged in front of Ciampa. Ciampa gives him a boot to the face.
• Beautiful Tope con hilo from Black.
• Leg sweep by Black. Running knee to the head, kip up, 2nd rope moonsault onto a standing Ciampa. A two count. Wonderful sequence.
• At this point in the match, Ciampa is outclassed by Black, and as I was writing this, that's when the tables turn. Ciampa whips Black into the steel steps, his knee hitting hard.
• Ciampa suplexes Black onto the steel steps, tweaking his knee further.
• Ciampa starts dissecting the left knee of Black.
• Black's knee is tied up in the ropes. Ciampa delivers a running knee strike to it!
• Ciampa slams Black's knee down onto the Spanish announce table. Ciampa applauds and pats himself on the back. Ciampa sits cross legged on the table to mock Black.
• Ciampa is down on the mat. Black stalks over to him, and Ciampa hops up just enough to deliver a dropkick to snap Black's leg out from under him.
• Black delivers a beautiful Enzuigiri type of kick to Ciampa on the turnbuckle.
• Black catches Ciampa off guard with a kick from his non-injured leg.
• A roundhouse kick to Ciampa's arm. A second roundhouse to his head. A bridging German Suplex, and Black holds his injured leg in the air.
• Black is on the top rope. Ciampa delivers what the announcers call the Tower of London onto the apron. It's like a reverse DDT. Black hits hard. This gets a 2 count.
• A lariat rocks Black.
• Ciampa exposes the concrete on the outside of the ring.
• Black delivers a diving double knee strike from the apron to Ciampa, but his knees come down on the exposed concrete.
• Black hits the Black mass! As he crawls over to make the pin, Ciampa rolls onto his stomach.
• Ciampa hits a DDT followed by his finisher, the Fairytale Ending. Black kicks out.

Finish: Ciampa delivers another Fairytale Ending to Black. Instead of pinning, he picks him up for one more. Black clocks him with a kick clear on the side of the head. Black attempts another Black mass, but his leg gives out. Ciampa hits another Fairytale Ending and gets the 3 count to retain his championship.

Thoughts

I loved the story told in this match. How Black was the better wrestler, but Ciampa was able to take advantage of a weakness and turn the tables. As tough as Black is, in the end, too much damage had been done. Both men looked great during this fight. A satisfying main event.

Rating: 8/10

As Ciampa walks up the ramp, Johnny Gargano comes out with his new North American Championship belt. He raises it next to Ciampa. Ciampa raises his belt and the two stand tall.

That was a really enjoyable show. I hope you enjoyed reading about it. I look forward to watching and maybe writing another review for NXT Takeover: New York this weekend.