Few rivalries in **WWE NXT history** have been as deeply personal and emotionally charged as the war between **Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa**. Their **Unsanctioned Match** was not just a battle—it was a **violent, hate-fueled war** that left both men battered, bruised, and forever changed.
This article takes an in-depth look at the **rivalry, the match, and the lasting impact** of this brutal showdown.
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## 📜 The Backstory – A Friendship Turned to Hatred
### 🔹 DIY – The Rise of an Iconic Tag Team
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa were once **brothers in arms**, forming the beloved tag team **DIY (Do It Yourself)**. Together, they conquered NXT’s tag team division, delivering **show-stealing matches** and earning the love of fans worldwide.
They fought side by side against some of the best, including **The Revival and The Authors of Pain**, and even won the **NXT Tag Team Championship**. But as their success grew, so did the tension between them.
### 🔹 The Ultimate Betrayal
At **NXT TakeOver: Chicago**, after losing a brutal **Ladder Match**, the unthinkable happened—**Tommaso Ciampa turned on Johnny Gargano**.
💥 **He viciously attacked his best friend.**
💀 **He slammed him into the entrance stage.**
🔥 **He shattered the hearts of every fan watching.**
This was the beginning of **one of the most emotional and savage rivalries in WWE history**.
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## ⚔️ The Unsanctioned Match – A War of Pure Hatred
Fast forward to **NXT TakeOver: New Orleans**, where Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa finally had their long-awaited one-on-one match.
This wasn’t just any match. This was **Unsanctioned**—meaning there were **no rules, no restrictions, and no mercy**.
### 🔥 The Fight Begins
From the opening bell, there was **no hesitation**.
– **Gargano charged at Ciampa**, unleashing weeks of pent-up rage.
– The fight immediately spilled to the **outside**, where they used steel steps, barricades, and even the announcers’ table.
– Ciampa **ripped apart the floor padding**, exposing the **concrete beneath** in an attempt to **destroy Gargano**.
This wasn’t about winning—it was about **hurting each other in the most violent way possible**.
### 💀 Savage Stomps & Brutal Assault
As the match raged on, the **violence escalated**.
🚨 **Ciampa delivered a devastating powerbomb onto the exposed concrete**
🚨 **Gargano fought back, slamming a steel chair into Ciampa’s spine**
🚨 **Weapons, tables, and steel crutches were all used as instruments of destruction.**
At one point, **Ciampa removed his knee brace** and **tried to use it as a weapon**—a direct callback to the injury that kept him out of action. But Gargano **turned the tables**, **grabbing the brace and beating Ciampa down with it instead**.
### 💥 The Final Stomps – Gargano’s Moment of Revenge
In the final moments of the match, **Johnny Gargano had enough**.
🔥 **He mounted Ciampa and repeatedly stomped his head into the canvas** with brutal force.
🔥 **With every stomp, the crowd erupted, sensing Gargano’s long-awaited revenge.**
🔥 **Ciampa, once so dominant, now lay helpless under the relentless attack.**
Gargano **locked in the vicious STF**, using Ciampa’s own knee brace against him With nowhere to go, **Ciampa had no choice but to tap out**
✅ **Johnny Gargano WINS**
The NXT Universe **exploded** in celebration, knowing that Johnny Wrestling had **finally put an end to Ciampa’s reign of terror**.
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## 🌟 The Aftermath – The Rivalry That Defined NXT
### 🔹 The Emotional Ending
After the match, there was a **brief moment where Ciampa tried to reach out**, almost as if he was looking for forgiveness. But Gargano **wasn’t falling for it this time**.
This was the **end of DIY** and the true beginning of **Johnny Gargano’s rise as NXT’s biggest star**.
### 🔹 The Impact on Their Careers
– **Johnny Gargano:** This victory **cemented him as NXT’s ultimate underdog hero**, leading him to **win the NXT Championship later in his career**.
– **Tommaso Ciampa:** This loss only fueled his **rage and darkness**, eventually leading him to become one of **NXT’s most dominant champions ever**.
Their feud would continue in various forms, but this Unsanctioned Match remains the **defining moment** of their war.
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## 🎯 Why This Match Still Matters Today
Even years later, **Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans** is considered:
✅ **One of the greatest matches in NXT history.**
✅ **A perfect example of storytelling, emotion, and brutality.**
✅ **A match that redefined what a personal feud could look like in WWE.**
This wasn’t just about wins and losses—this was about **revenge, betrayal, and redemption**.
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## 📢 Final Thoughts
The **Unsanctioned Match between Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa** was more than just a wrestling match—it was **a war filled with emotion, violence, and storytelling at its finest**.
🔥 **It gave us unforgettable moments.**
🔥 **It gave us a rivalry for the ages.**
🔥 **It gave us Johnny Gargano’s ultimate redemption.**
Even today, fans still talk about this match as one of the **best in WWE history**. If you haven’t watched it yet, **you’re missing out on a masterpiece of professional wrestling**.