Tommaso Ciampa lets the NXT Universe know that they are the lifeblood of the product.
2020 has been an adjustment year for everybody. The global coronavirus pandemic has changed the way many aspects of life that were, arguably, once taken for granted are conducted.
Perhaps this is no more true than in the world of professional wrestling. Promotions everywhere have had to adjust to different adaptations to make up for the lack of packed arenas. Shows in front of no fans, virtual fans, and socially distanced dozens have replaced their packed stadiums that are so often synonymous with major wrestling events.
After defeating Velveteen Dream on last night’s episode of NXT, Tommaso Ciampa spoke to the limited audience at the Capitol Wrestling Center, letting them know how much he appreciates them coming out and how he hopes to see wrestling be a launching pad for not only a resurrection of leisure events but can provide it an example of a harmonious environment where strangers come together.
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“I mean this from the bottom of my heart. I never knew just how damn valuable each and every one of you were to professional wrestling. You are the superstars. And when we say “we are NXT,” it’s literally because of the passion that I feel from each and every one of you in this crowd today. We missed it! Month after month — facing Johnny Gargano in an empty building, we missed your passion. Facing Karrion Kross during his insane debut with the crazy music, we missed your passion!”
He continued, “Listen, guys, 2020 is weird. This entire year is strange, hate is consuming this country and this world, but I look out to each and every one of you, and all I feel is love. It’s gonna start as silly as it sounds, as dumb as it may sound to people outside of our bubble, outside of our circle, outside of our family, we know it to be true. This is how it starts. It starts with something like professional wrestling, to bring different cultures, communities, people of different ages, races, religions, all in one building, chanting the same thing with passion, with love. You boo who you want, you cheer for who you want. I don’t give a damn, I am an NXT Superstar. And the reason I can say it is because I look out at each and every one of you and you make it possible.
“Guys, girls, please continue to come out. It’s only going to grow. It’s only going to get better sooner than later. We’re going to be removing the masks sooner than later. We’re going to be filling up arenas all around the world again sooner than later. We’re going to share our art form on the biggest, the grandest stages that this world has ever seen. And the best part, when it happens, when it happens, we know. We know without a shadow of doubt in our beings that you all are going to bring this same passion tenfold. You all are gonna make NXT and professional wrestling greater than it ever has been before.”
To wrap it up, Tommaso would lead the audience in the chant that used to pack arenas across the state of Florida and cities all over the country.
“So when I say it tonight, I say it for myself, for Vic, Wade, Alicia, for Tucker, for everybody in the back. When we ‘say we are NXT,’ we mean it. So together, each and every one of you say it loud, say it proud, because we are NXT!
EXCLUSIVE: @NXTCiampa delivers an impassioned message to the NXT Universe after #WWENXT went off the air. pic.twitter.com/5n2z6lYgmT
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) November 5, 2020
If you missed any of the action from last night’s NXT, you can check out our full report at this link. Should you use any portion of the quotes above, transcription credit should go to Robert DeFelice for WrestleZone.
