Welcome to Ringside News’ live coverage of NXT TakeOver: Chicago!

Here we are again folks, an NXT TakeOver and boy, is this one exciting! The main event is sure to be the second and final (?) showdown between Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa. This feud has been red hot since it started and, in truly rare fashion, the first match genuinely exceed all of the hype and expectations. It’s unclear if the two former partners can outdo themselves from NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, but they’re sure to beat the living crap out of each other with Street Fight rules. This is the biggest match of the weekend, bar none.

The other match on tonight’s card I look at as the potential show-stealer, is Velveteen Dream Vs. Ricochet. I’m not sure if it’s simply good booking/writing, or if it’s the quality of Dream, but this feud feels like it is far more exciting than it should be. The match is sure to be a barn-burner between two insanely talented men, so it’s fair to say expectations are pretty high for this one also.

The rest of Chicago’s card includes Shayna Baszler Vs. Nikki Cross for the Women’s Championship, Aleister Black Vs. Lars Sullivan, and The Undisputed Era Vs. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch. It’s a stacked card, although it lacks Adam Cole, the North American Champion, as well as the United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne, among others. Let us know which match you’re most excited for, by downloading the Ringside Talk app and joining the conversation. Enjoy the show!

Kick Off Show

The TakeOver: Chicago Kick-Off Show begins with the panel of Charly Caruso, Sam Roberts and Pat McAfeee.

We begin with a look at the feud between NXT Champion Aleister Black and Lars Sullivan, including clips of both men arriving at the arena.

Touching down in Chicago with ALL the confidence is tonight’s #NXTChampionship challenger, @LarsSWWE! #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/P7gZQeSulc

— WWE (@WWE) June 16, 2018

Sam Roberts says we all know what Sullivan is capable of, he proved himself at TakeOver: New Orleans, but perhaps Black will find out even more about Sullivan tonight. McAfee says Sullivan is a freak and mentally undefeated but Aleister Black is a different type of man. He’s watched Black touch fire and the man has his knee-cap tattooed, he’s not normal and isn’t phased by anything. McAfee says big brains beat momentum everytime, and he predicts a Black win, while Sam Roberts sees no way for Black to walk out as Champion.

The next topic of discussion is the NXT Women’s Championship match. We see a video of Shayna Baszler’s dominance since arriving in NXT, her recent bullying of Dakota Kai, and the introduction of Nikki Cross, who seems to be defeating Baszler in her head. Sam Roberts asks McAfee if you can prepare for someone like Nikki and McAfee says no way, you can’t prepare for someone who is completely unpredictable. McAfee sides with the “Scottish Looney Tune”, while Sam Roberts thinks Baszler can break through the mind games and retain.

Touching down in Chicago with ALL the confidence is tonight’s #NXTChampionship challenger, @LarsSWWE! #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/P7gZQeSulc

— WWE (@WWE) June 16, 2018

EC3 has joined the panel, much to the love of the crowd. Sam says that the match between Ricochet and Velveteen Dream seems to be something of a number one contender match, how does EC3 feel about that? EC3 says that is certainly the case, that match will help shape the future of NXT, however he doesn’t have to be in that match to determine his future. As long as he’s in NXT and got a microphone, he will continue to print money. EC3 says he has had victory after victory since joining NXT, he’s a million dollar man with billion dollar looks and trillion dollar talent.

Adam Cole approaches the NXT TakeOver panel and trades barbs with Pat McAfee. The former football player pokes fun at Cole, asking him why he isn’t on the show tonight. He asks why Cole isn’t a fighting Champion. Cole says he is the first North American Champion and he defends it whenever but tonight is about Roddy Strong and Kyle O’Reilly. He insults McAfee one more time before walking off.

The final discussion is the blood feud between Gargano and Ciampa. Roberts says these two had the most brutal match in NXT history at the last TakeOver and tonight could be even worse. McAfee says he thinks Johnny will win and put this behind him once and for all, while Roberts thinks Ciampa will pull off the victory tonight. And that’s it for the NXT TakeOver: Chicago pre-show, onto the real event!

NXT TakeOver: Chicago opens with a video package hyping the show, and a look back at the previous NXT TakeOver: Chicago, 392 days ago, where Tommaso Ciampa turned on Johnny Gargano, instigating their blood feud. “Tonight, pain takes over Chicago.”

392 days ago…#NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/dBPU2m7Mc4

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 17, 2018

We go live to the raucous arena in the windy city and our announcers are Nigel McGuinness, Vic Joseph, and Percy Watson. Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan are the first people out tonight, ready for their title shot against Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly of The Undisputed Era.

NXT Tag Team Championship Match
(C) The Undisputed Era Vs. Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan

The match starts with Lorcan and Strong. They lockup and Strong gets a takedown, then mocks Lorcan on the mat. Lorcan fires back with an elbow to the face. Both men tag their partners and O’Reilly takes Burch down in a headlock. The crowd is firmly behind The Undisputed Era, a little surprising. O’Reilly catches Burch with a boot to the face, but Burch responds by taking him down with a leg whip. Burch and Lorcan double team O’Reilly and Strong with a double suplex, then knock both men from the ring.

.@_StarDESTROYER is ready to RISK IT ALL! #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/7kPFzMfeGa

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 17, 2018

Back inside, Lorcan and O’Reilly exchange stiff strikes until the Champions take control. Burch and Lorcan regain control with double-teams on Strong. Missile dropkick from Burch, who then catches an O’Reilly PK. Strong follows-up with a Wrecking Ball Baseball Slide. O’Reilly and Strong regain control, working over Burch and keeping him away from Lorcan. O’Reilly works a kneebar, then tags in Strong to break things up before Burch can counter. Strong with a backbreaker, then a tag and O’Reilly works in hard strikes from full mount. Burch blocks ARMageddon from O’Reilly and gets to the ropes. Burch fights back, but Strong clocks him with a dropkick for a two-count. Burch fights back and drops O’Reilly with a dropkick. Lorcan and Strong are tagged in off of the hot tag, Lorcan fires away and the crowd boos. Lorcan almost takes Strong’s head off with a running uppercut.

.@_StarDESTROYER is ready to RISK IT ALL! #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/7kPFzMfeGa

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 17, 2018

O’Reilly is sent outside with a dropkick, then Lorcan wipes out the champions with a somersault plancha! He follows-up with a half & Half to Strong, followed by a running basement uppercut for a close 2. Back in, champions fight back, but Lorcan hits him with a Double Blockbuster. Assisted Spike DDT by Burch and Lorcan for another close two count but O’Reilly breaks up the pin. O’Reilly stops another double team and sends Lorcan crashing off the apron. Strong with the toe kick/enziguri combo, then O’Reilly hits his series of strikes. Burch fires back, but O’Reilly with a brainbuster for 2, then switches into ARMageddon. Burch tries to hang on to his grip, but can’t, but somehow makes the ropes. Strong with a running knee, Olympic Faceplant, then O’Reilly with a PK for a close 2. Burch stops a double-team and sends O’Reilly onto Strong outside.

Lorcan makes his return and hits a double blockbuster to the champions on the outside! Back inside, a doomsday uppercut by Burch and Lorcan on O’Reilly, but Adam Cole pulls O’Reilly out before the three count! Referee ejects Cole from ringside and the crowd are unhappy. Burch and O’Reilly go again for the Spike DDT, but Strong stops it and sends Burch into the announce table. Guillotine applied by O’Reilly on Lorcan, but he counters out with a Northern Lights. Lorcan with a chopblock to Strong, then a powerbomb for a two count but he holds on and applies a half crab. O’Reilly runs and nails him to break the submission but Lorcan doesn’t break and screams at him. That was awesome. Burch comes in and catches Kyle with a crossface. The Champions are in serious trouble until O’Reilly rolls over and kicks Lorcan off while in the crossface to break the submissions. All men down and the crowd give a standing ovation.

See ya later, @AdamColePro. The referee is NOT having it tonight! #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/XK4mijOohw

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 17, 2018

The four of them stand to their feet and suddenly go all-out brawl mode and the crowd go wild. Lorcan with slaps to O’Reilly, but Strong with a leaping knee. They double-team Lorcan, then Axe and Smash from O’Reilly, and a High/Low for the 123!

Winners: The Undisputed Era

What a match. The Champions retain!

We see Lars Sullivan backstage, warming-up by curling a light rack.

Hold onto your hats ladies and gentlemen, because this match is up next…

The #OneAndOnly.
The #DREAM.

The time as come.#NXTTakeOver @VelveteenWWE @KingRicochet pic.twitter.com/yz9NkpnfYr

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 17, 2018

Velveteen Dream Vs. Ricochet

The bell rings and Dream and Ricochet have a staredown, even doing the classic Rock Vs. Hogan crowd look. They lock-up and Dream forces Ricochet to the corner, then backs-up with a pose. They lock again and this time Ricochet takes the back. Ricochet takes Dream to the mat with a headscissors takedown. Dream escapes and throws his bandanna in Ricochet’s face but he winds-up in the scissors again. Ricochet keeps Dream grounded with submissions.

Dream shoots Ricochet off and hits a shoulder tackle. They trade some ducks and leapfrogs until Dream looks for a headscissors but they kinda screw it up, thankfully Ricochet did a hand stand and it still looked cool. Again they jump and duck each other, eventually stopping for a pose and a pop from the fans. Dream unleashes a big slap, so we get a dropkick from Ricochet, then he looks for a springboard but Dream hits the ropes and Ricochet lands hard on the apron and bounces to the floor. Dream throws Ricochet back inside and stomps on him in the corner until the referee stops him. Dream drops Ricochet on the top rope, then hits a plancha from the apron – Dream is doing Ricochet’s moves to show he can do the same. Dream hits a neckbreaker and earns a two-count.

Ricochet looks to mount a comeback and turns to hit the ropes but Dream shoves him in the back and he flies to the floor. Dream then runs and flips off of the second rope with a plancha to the outside – another Ricochet move. Back inside the ring, Dream remains in control until Ricochet ducks a shot in the corner and throws Dream from the ring. Dream slides back in and gets shoved away from Ricochet, then dropkicked out of the ring. Ricochet hits the ropes and clobbers Dream with a suicide dive. He runs back inside and hits a twisting moonsault over the top rope. Ricochet sends Dream back inside and hits a spinning European uppercut from the middle rope. A jumping neckbreaker and a standing shooting star press earns Ricochet a two-count.

The #OneAndOnly @KingRicochet is in his element. #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/k3NC0o6ZqR

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 17, 2018

Ricochet takes to the top rope and Dream hits the ropes, crotching Ricochet. Dream punches him and climbs the ropes but Ricochet fights him off and climbs back up. He jumps from the turnbuckle when Dream runs at him. Velveteen hits the rolling death valley driver from the middle rope for a very close two count. The crowd chants “This is awesome” as both men climbg to get to their feet. Dream heads back to the top but Ricochet knocks him down. Dream grabs him again, but this he hits a suplex from the apron down to the floor! Nasty bump, particularly for Ricochet. Both men beat the count back into the ring around 9. Dream pops up and hits another rolling death valley driver out of nowhere for another two.

They start trading strikes in the middle of the ring. Ricochet eats a superkick and Dream takes a boot to the face. Ricochet turns him inside out with a clothesline before Dream hits his signature DDT for another near fall. The crowd is on its feet cheering for both men and chanting NXT. Dream slaps Ricochet around while talking trash about being an indy guy. Ricochet grabs him and hits his own death valley driver. He climbs to the top turnbuckle and poses like Velveteen before hitting a huge elbow drop for yet another close two count. Wow!

“I am a WRESTLING GOD!” @VelveteenWWE #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/72dl36RjBY

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 17, 2018

Ricochet climbs back up and goes for a shooting star press. Dream gets his knees up to block and covers him for two. Now it’s Dream’s turn, as he shouts at Ricochet before he climbs up for the Purple Rainmaker Elbow. Ricochet rolls out of the way to the far corner of the ring. Dream jumps anyway and Ricochet rolls from the ring, leaving Dream to crash and burn. Ricochet gets back inside and climbs back up to the top one more time for the 630 to the back of Dream to get the win.

Winner: Ricochet

Fantastic match from these two stars. Fans were red hot throughout and I found myself really rooting for Dream but thankfully he’s still incredibly young.

We see Tommaso Ciampa sitting on production boxes backstage, by himself. The fans boo loudly.

It’s Championship match time again, and out comes the challenger…

Chicago just got a little CRAZY. @NikkiCrossWWE #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/7bqzkDbPED

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 17, 2018

NXT Women’s Championship Match
(C) Shayna Baszler Vs. Nikki Cross

Baszler tries to square off with Cross but the Scot doesn’t move. Shayna knocks Cross down, but Nikki just laughs it off. She rushes Shayna and the champ backs up with a scared look on her face. Cross turns her back on Baszler, and then she turns right back around and smiles. She jumps on the champ’s back with a sleeper hold, but she is quickly thrown off. Shayna tries the same hold, but Nikki backs her to the corner to force a break. The Scottish Superstar traps her in the apron and beats her down. She puts Baszler in another sleeper and gets dropped on her back right on the ramp.

You can run from @NikkiCrossWWE…

…but you CAN’T HIDE! #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/00MqGFcpu6

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 17, 2018

The Queen of Spades levels Cross with a knee to the face for a two count. She gets upset and starts beating on Nikki relentlessly. She covers Nikki’s mouth to prevent her from breathing a few times. She knees Cross in the face twice, and Nikki just smiles and screams at her. Shayna hits a third and Nikki starts laughing. She grabs the champ’s leg to block a fourth and takes her down with a belly to back suplex. The former member of Sanity starts building up a head of steam and climbs to the top rope to hit a crossbody for a near-fall. She drops Baszler with a reverse DDT on the apron for a two count.

Shayna tries to lock-in the sleeper but Cross counters by running her into the turnbuckle and the hold is broken. Cross covers the champ but Shayna gets her foot on the rope to break the ref’s count. Cross looks for a crucifix but Baszler reverses it and gets her in the rear naked choke. She holds it but suddenly Cross sits up and smiles, while in the hold, before passing out and the referee calls for the bell.

Winner: Shayna Baszler

Tap ❌
Nap ✅
Snap ?@NikkiCrossWWE fades, @QoSBaszler retains. #NXTTakeOver #AndStill pic.twitter.com/Y0g1XgcPGY

— WWE (@WWE) June 17, 2018

A good win for Shayna. I’m personally just not a big fan of Nikki Cross, so I wouldn’t care to see the feud continue but I also wouldn’t be opposed to it, it’s not like there’s many worthy competitors in the division right now.

It’s Championship time and Lars Sullivan is out first, in his usual intimidating way.

Freakish. Brutal. Relentless.@LarsSWWE awaits the champ in Chicago. #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/87G9l8vepq

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 17, 2018

WWE NXT Championship Match
(C) Aleister Black Vs. Lars Sullivan

The bell rings and neither man moves, they just stare at each other from their corners. They circle the ring and Black doesn’t look intimated, despite Sullivan talking trash. Black walks up to him and unleashes a fury of punches and kicks but Sullivan grabs him and throws him in the air, only for Black to land on his feet and swing for Black Mass and Lars to grab it again. Black knocks Sullivan from the ring, chases out after him and eventually hits a double knee senton from the apron to the floor!

Back inside the ring, Lars tries to take control but Black hits a huge jumping knee for a two-count. Black maintains the momentum and forces Sullivan to the corner. Lars fights out and Black looks for a clothesline but Lars ran right through it. Sullivan knocks Black from the ring and follows him. Black tosses Lars into the ring post and stumbles around. Black takes to the top rope and leaps with a moonsault but Lars catches him and drops him on the apron, then throws him into the barricade.

CAUGHT in mid-air! #NXTTakeOver@LarsSWWE @WWEAleister pic.twitter.com/MVcisqgY3O

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 17, 2018

Back in the ring again Sullivan squashes Black in the corner for a two-count. Sullivan maintains control, grounding Black with a headlock in the centre of the ring. Black escapes and looks for a roll-up but can’t get Sullivan off of his feet. Lars picks Black up and hits a powerslam. Lars talks more trash and hits a pop-up powerslam for a near-fall. Sullivan takes to the top rope but Black meets him there and punches him repeatedly. Sullivan stumbles to the apron, where he clobbers Black with a right hand , then follows-up with a diving headbutt…but Black got his knee up!

Black begins to unleash more punches and kicks. Black hits a moonsault from the middle rope and earns a two count. Sullivan blocks the Black Mass again and hits Aleister with a chop block at the knee – the same knee he headbutted. He puts the champion in a stretch muffler submission to continue punishing the knee. Black breaks out of the hold and spikes Lars with a DDT. They fight on the apron until Sullivan hits a powerslam on the edge of the ring. He goes back to the top turnbuckle and hits a diving headbutt for a very close two count. Black finally hits the Black Mass, but it didn’t quite land. Sullivan kicks-out and the fans boo. Black looks for it again but Lars catches his leg and turns him inside out with a big clothesline. Black reverses a powerslam with a jumping knee and another Black Mass that hit Lars in the chest. Sullivan gets back to his knees and Black psyches himself up for one more Black Mass, which lands finally, and that’s all she wrote.

Winner: Aleister Black

BlackMass. #AndStill.@WWEAleister #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/AFj0zIpLdT

— WWE (@WWE) June 17, 2018

A great match that really showcases that Sullivan is more than just a big man. There is a massive match to be had between Sullivan and Strowman somewhere down the line.

It’s main event time. We get a lengthy video package of the feud between Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa.

We see Gargano walking backstage and he’s wearing Captain America inspired gear. Candace runs up behind him and hands him a crutch, then tells him to kick Ciampa’s ass. Gargano storms off with newfound courage. Johnny comes to the ring first, followed by the silent Ciampa.

It’s time.@CandiceLeRae @JohnnyGargano #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/oGGR2En63e

— WWE (@WWE) June 17, 2018

Chicago Street Fight
Tommaso Ciampa Vs. Johnny Gargano

They rush each other right off the bat, fighting with the crutches. They knock the crutches out of each other’s hands before throwing hands. They take the fight outside where Johnny hits a kick to the face and a somersault from the apron. He throws Ciampa over the announce table. They fight into the crowd where Tommaso starts taking control with kicks to the body. He grabs a sign from a fan and tries to rip it in half but he can’t. Johnny takes the sign and hits Ciampa with it, then rips it open to reveal a stop sign inside. O.K. He beats Ciampa down with the sign as the crowd cheers him on. Gargano climbs through the crowd and leaps off of a platform with a crossbody to Ciampa below.

That’s no ordinary @JohnnyGargano sign…

…it’s a STOP SIGN! ? #ChicagoStreetFight #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/daFwweAjJk

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 17, 2018

They make their way back ringside and Ciampa crawls into the ring, while Gargano throws a trash can and a chair into the ring. Gargano swings the trash can lid at Ciampa, who ducks and hits a German suplex. Ciampa  and Gargano trade shots, with Gargano getting the better of it until Ciampa hits another German suplex. He holds on and hits another German, then another, and I think we’re in suplex city. A fourth German from Ciampa but he can’t get the fifth because Gargano hits one of his own.

Ciampa rolls from the ring and Johnny hits a suicide dive. Gargano goes back under the apron but Ciampa hits a big boot, then throws Johnny into the steps. Ciampa pulls out a trash can and a chair of his own. Ciampa hits Johnny with the chair, then wraps it around his neck and throws him like a lawn dart into the steel steps. Ciampa slides into the ring and watches Gargano writhe in pain.

?????@ProjectCiampa #NXTTakeOver #ChicagoStreetFight pic.twitter.com/UpK7JGGZgJ

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 17, 2018

Ciampa hits Johnny with the trash can, then sets his head on the steel steps and throws the rash can into it. Back inside the ring, Cimapa removes his shirt and puts it in Gargano’s mouth before elbowing him on the skull. Ciampa stomps on Gargano as the fans chant “you suck”. Ciamapa slams Johnny into the corner and stomps him down. Tommaso hits Johnny with a catapult into the bottom turnbuckle. The referee checks on Johnny while Ciampa goes under the ring and finds handcuffs. Ciampa looks to handcuff Johnny to the bottom rope but Johnny Wrestling fights back and hits an enziguiri, followed by a spear through the ropes. Gargano takes off his belt and whips Ciampa with it in the back, then the neck. The fans chant “you deserve it”.

Gargano lifts the trash can and places it over a kneeled Ciampa, then hits the running superkick. Johnny places the trash can between the ropes and looks to throw Ciampa into it but it’s reversed with an eye rake. Ciampa hits a double-knee powerbomb, then runs and knee’s Johnny in the head using the trash can lid for extra impact. Johnny and Tommaso fight on the apron until Ciampa grabs Johnny and hits an Air Raid Crash onto the steel steps below! Near-fall for Ciampa.

When @ProjectCiampa gets crafty, you know painful things are on the horizon… #NXTTakeOver #ChicagoStreetFight pic.twitter.com/fWtRVgCYmx

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 17, 2018

Ciampa goes under the apron again and pulls-out bolt cutters, which he then uses to cut the ring mat and reveal the wooden boards beneath. Johnny takes a stiff chair shot to the back, and then Ciampa pulls-up more of the ring mat/padding. Ciampa drags Johnny over to the wood and lift Johnny onto the turnbuckle. Johnny can barely stay upright and Ciampa bites his ear. Ciampa climbs to the top rope and lifts Johnny onto his back for another Air Raid Crash but Johnny slides down and looks to hit a sunset flip powerbomb but Ciampa holds on. Johnny pulls Ciampa’s arm and head down and superkicks him between his legs. Both men are on their knees, exchanging slow punches to boos and cheers.

Gargano grabs the trash can lid and Ciampa the crutch, and they hit each other at the same time, with Johnny falling on Ciampa or a near-fall. Ciampa rolls from the ring, then cracks Gargano with the trash can lid as he leaps over the top rope. Surprising that neither of these two have been bust open yet. Ciampa runs to knee Johnny in the head against the steel steps but nobody’s home and he cracks the steel steps. Inside the ring, Ciampa is clutching his knee braces, so Gargano takes advantage and runs in and batters the knee. He grabs a chair and beats on the knee repeatedly. Ciampa kicks him away and Gargano lands head-first onto the trash can still wedged between the ropes. Ciamapa grabs Johnny and locks in the Garga-No-Escape. Johnny almost escapes, so Ciampa releases it and grabs the clutch, which he uses to crack Johnny on the back of the head for a near-fall.

Again.#NXTTakeOver #ChicagoStreetFight pic.twitter.com/9avpMdjg3M

— WWE (@WWE) June 17, 2018

Ciampa throws Johnny from the ring and sits on the apron watching him for a moment. Ciampa lifts Johnny and drapes his arm around him, much like the way they walked up the ramp at the last TakeOver: Chicago. And once again, Ciampa tosses johnny into the LED wall. He then hits a running knee and shouts at the referee that “it’s not enough!” He drags Gargano over to a pair of tables near some production boxes. Ciampa scales the boxes with Johnny (they’re) about six foot high. He lifts Johnny and takes off his wedding ring, which he then spits on and throws away. He lifts Gargano but Johnny reverses and hits Tommaso with the Air Raid Crash through the tables!

Has this #ChicagoStreetFight officially gone too far? #NXTTakeOver@JohnnyGargano @ProjectCiampa pic.twitter.com/1F6iYqBaDD

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 17, 2018

The fans chant “Mamma Mia” as officials come out to check on both men. They’re putting a neck brace on Ciampa, while Johnny climbs to onto the production boxes and sits, watching. Another throwback to last TakeOver: Chicago. The officials bring a stretcher out and place Psycho Killer on it, Gargano still sitting watching. Ciampa screams in pain as they begin wheeling him off. Johnny looks at his now-missing-ring and shakes his head. He climbs off of the boxes and grabs the stretcher, throwing some refs in the process. Johnny slowly walks Tommaso back to the ring, then unties him and throws him into the ring. Gargano removes the neck brace and applies the Garga-No-Escape. Two men in suits run down and pull Johnny off but he kicks them from the ring. Gargano grabs the handcuffs and ties Tomasso’s hands behind his back and hits six superkicks before locking-in the Gargan-No-Escape again.

Now fix guys in suits run down and drag Johnny off and out of the ring – I’m not sure this is even a match anymore because Ciampa tapped out but they didn’t call it. Johnny fights thesuits off again and gets back into ring but Ciampa grabs him and his a draping DDT on the exposed wooden boards and gets the pinfall!!

Winner: Tommaso Ciampa

Vindication for The #Blackheart in Chicago.#NXTTakeOver #ChicagoStreetFight pic.twitter.com/DCJlawLjxe

— WWE (@WWE) June 17, 2018

The fans are astonished. Apparently the referee wasn’t there to call it when Ciampa tapped out. Both men are down in the ring as we see replays. The referee helps Ciampa from the ring and raises his still cuffed hand. The fans boo loud. Referee’s check on Johnny as Tommaso laughs and stumbles up the ramp using the stretcher for support. Candace runs down to the ring and checks-on Johnny. Ciampa smiles and waves from the ramp while the fans chant “Fu$k You Ciampa!”

That’s it for NXT TakeOver: Chicago. Let us know what you thought of the show and I’ll see you back here tomorrow night for Money In The Bank! Until then, safe travels!