#1.) Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso Ciampa – NXT Takeover: New Orleans
Gargano vs Ciampa was the rivalry in WWE heading into WrestleMania weekend in 2018. Gargano’s career was on the line in an unsanctioned match. He would need to win to be reinstated to NXT. It also marked Ciampa’s first match since his return from injury. It didn’t need a title to main event and it was by and far the most-anticipated match of that weekend.
True to the expectations, the two delivered what many consider the single greatest match in NXT history and one of the best matches in WWE history. The grudge match saw two world class competitors who looked like they wanted to legitimately kill each other. The psychology and the storytelling was off the charts and there wasn’t a single member in the audience cheering for Ciampa.
The crowd’s boos were music for Ciampa and they roared in approval any time during the match when he took punishment. The match was pure wrestling masterclass and it’s going to be one to remember for years to come. The sight of Gargano tapping Ciampa out and lifting up the crutch and knee brace in victory may be one of the best closing shots for a WWE show ever.
