Barring a non-NXT-like schmoz, we knew something major was going to happen on the Feb. 21 episode of the black-and-yellow brand. And, oh boy, did it ever. With a bit of a schmoz.
Johnny Gargano’s quest to reach the top of the mountain by winning the NXT championship ended in tragedy. Not only did he fail to finally beat Andrade “Cien” Almas in his fourth try, but thanks to the return of the man who sent him on this solo path to begin with, he now has to leave NXT.
Yes, after a match that played out as both a continuation and short-hand version of their TakeOver: Philadelphia classic, an Almas’ elbow meant for Gargano took out referee Drake Wuertz. Johnny Wrestling was then able to lock in his submission, but the official wasn’t alert enough to see anything. Before the champ tapped, Tommaso Ciampa slid into the ring and busted his crutch over his former tag partner’s back once again, breaking the hold.
No referee...
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2018
The re-emergence of @ProjectCiampa...
Luck is NOT in @JohnnyGargano's corner tonight. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/a8uW5HZnBS
From there, El Ídolo knew what to do. A hammerlock DDT later, and Almas was still champ, while Gargano was left to say goodbye.
Candice LeRae, who earlier had taken out Andrade’s business associate Zelina Vega to give her husband a more level playing field, returned to help him leave while the adoring crowd at Atlanta’s Center Stage chanted their thanks.
— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) February 22, 2018
What’s next? Technically, Johnny Wrestling is done on this show. It seems hard to believe that WWE’s best babyface won’t get payback against one or both of the men who’ve tormented him over the past year, however.
Stay tuned. And watch out for Sicilian’s holding crutches. He’s still out there.
.@ProjectCiampa bids you farewell. Forever. pic.twitter.com/116fDFr3nE
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) February 22, 2018