UPDATE: On his pre-TakeOver conference call, Triple H said the injury was an ankle sprain, Ciampa is feeling better and as of now the match for Saturday night in Chicago is still on. If the prognosis worsens, they’ll look at alternatives, but they’re being positive about it now (H/T: Wrestling Observer’s Twitter)
ORIGINAL: According to multiple sources who were in attendance for NXT’s live show in Kentucky last night (May 18), one of title matches set for Saturday night’s TakeOver: Chicago show may be in jeopardy.
We first got word from Cagesider Detroit Larry:
@cagesideseats at the #NXTHighlandHeights show and Ciampa just got hurt. Ref threw up x and he quickly hopped to back. Looked unhappy
— Mr. Detroit (@DETROITLarry17) May 19, 2017
Fan reports indicate the injury occurred during #DIY’s match with SAnitY (Eric Young & Alexander Wolfe). Shortly into the match, Tommaso Ciampa went for a leaping knee attack on the outside, where Young & Wolfe was set-up. This being the 21st century, of course there’s video (courtesy Brian The Guppie on Twitter)...
Tommaso Ciampa's Injury in slow motion @TheVarble @PWMania #wwe #nxthighlandheights #WWELive pic.twitter.com/MAacDi8N2T
— Brian The Guppie (@briantheguppie) May 19, 2017
Fans say they heard yelling, and when the referee ran over, he immediately gave the ‘X’ signal that is often (but not always) an indication he fears a legitimate injury has occurred. But looking at the way Tommaso’s left knee* buckled, it’s hard to imagine this isn’t at least a sprain.
A medic ran in to assist, and Ciampa was helped to the back, hopping on one leg. The match was ruled a no contest, and EY cut a promo as the show quickly transitioned into a Kassius Ohno vs. Killian Dain bout.
Obviously, this would be a big blow to the ladder match for the tag titles Ciampa and his partner Johnny Gargano are booked in for TakeOver: Chicago... and an even bigger blow to the Sicilian Psychopath’s immediate prospects - either as half of #DIY or in a long-rumored break-up angle/singles push.
There’s been no word from WWE, but we’ll keep you posted.
* This is why I’m not a doctor.