Tommaso Ciampa sets the record straight on a potential in-ring return to NXT tonight.
For the past several days, speculation has sparked amongst fans of the developmental brand over whether Tommaso Ciampa is set to make a surprise in-ring return on the USA Network show tonight due to
Fightful reporting that the developmental talent would be cleared on September 11.
The former NXT Champion has been out of action since March 13 and despite some brief updates on his recovery, Tommaso Ciampa has yet to confirm that he’s in-ring ready. The “Blackheart” of NXT revealed to Izzy that he will be at the September 18
th and 25
th shows; however, it won’t be in front of a crowd (transcript courtesy of fightful.com):
"I got to lead NXT from bingo halls to Takeovers to the USA Network, not see them, lead them. It's big. There's a lot of rumors and speculation about what my role is going to be, breaking news, I've been told I will be coming back to a wrestling ring. I've been told I will eventually be able to wrestle again. And the sad part is, no, I'm not cleared. It is what it is. I will be there September 18th, the 25th, every time going forward. I just won't be out in front of the crowd until [my neck] allows me to. I promised my mom at home that this time, we're gonna take our time. I'm excited for [NXT moving to USA], I'd be a little more excited if I could take part in it. We'll get there soon,"
Of course, the former NXT Champion could be trying to keep his in-ring a surprise based on his recent uploading of a teaser video that strongly indicates that he could make an appearance tonight.
Tonight’s show will be headlined with Velveteen Dream taking on Roderick Strong for the NXT North American Championship, along with Matt Riddle vs. Killian Dain in a Street Fight, and a Fatal 4-Way between Mia Yim, Candice LeRae, Io Shirai, and Bianca Belair for a shot at the NXT Women’s Championship.