Last week, NXT’s jam-packed two-hour premiere on USA Network featured thrilling returns, solid matches and set the stage for the brand’s next steps. It was inevitable that this week would somewhat be a letdown; there wouldn’t be jaw-dropping moments like the returns of Tommaso Ciampa and Finn Bálor. But a good show doesn’t need to rely on shock like that. Instead, NXT did what it does best. It gave the fans impressive matches and memorable segments like Ciampa’s unofficial statement that he’s coming for the NXT Championship.
There’s nothing quite like the sound of Ciampa’s melodic theme song backed by a hot Full Sail Crowd. Now that the former NXT Champion is back, this combination will once again be a future of the black-and-gold brand. Ciampa’s return augments NXT’s main event scene and, this week, we got a taste of what his climb back to the top will look like.
For the second week in a row, Ciampa made his intentions known: he’s coming for Adam Cole’s NXT Championship. This time, the challenger marched to the ring, cleared it of Cole and the Undisputed Era and said three words. “Goldie, Daddy’s home.” With just three words, Ciampa put a fresh twist on most title rivalries. Rather than focusing on the man holding the gold, he only cares about the belt itself. As much as we want to see Cole defend his throne against the former champion, Ciampa has to overcome at least one obstacle first. Instead of diving right into a feud with the Undisputed Era, he’ll face off with Angel Garza.
After Ciampa’s “Daddy’s home” line, Garza put himself in Ciampa’s line of fire. Garza tried to hog the spotlight when Cathy Kelley interviewed Ciampa. Garza said something in Spanish and, in response, Ciampa decked him. Ciampa bluntly stated he didn’t know what Garza said and, just like that, NXT set up Ciampa’s first match since his injury: he’ll face Garza next week.
