From the WWE Rumor Mill: Top NXT superstar set to return in early 2018
What's the story?
Highly respected pro wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer recently speculated on Twitter that former NXT Tag Team Champion Tommaso Ciampa has recovered from his knee injury and could possibly make his WWE television return, sooner than expected.
In case you didn't know...
At this year's NXT TakeOver: Chicago pay-per-view, the team of Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano-- collectively known as #DIY, faced off against The Authors of Pain (AOP) in a brutal tag team ladder match for the NXT Tag Team Championships.
Following their loss to AOP in Chicago, Ciampa brutally attacked Gargano and turned heel in the process and disbanded the ever popular #DIY tag team. However, it was later revealed that Ciampa had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and had to undergo a surgery in Birmingham, Alabama.
It was also reported that Ciampa was expected to make a return to NXT TV in early 2018, following a successful surgery on his knee. Ciampa also had successful surgeries on his right ankle, right shoulder, and left shoulder back in August.
The heart of the matter
A fan recently asked Dave Meltzer on Twitter regarding how close Tommaso Ciampa is to making a return to WWE NXT, and if there is a possibility of him interfering during NXT Takeover: Philadelphia.
Meltzer replied to the individual stating that Ciampa could be fit by January, 2018. This would mean the WWE universe could witness the return of "The Psycho Killer" at the first Takeover PPV of 2018, which takes place in Philadelphia.
Meltzer noted on Twitter that he isn't exactly sure about the exact return date of Ciampa but stated that he [Ciampa] had undergone numerous surgeries and is very close to making a return to WWE NXT.
What's next?
If Ciampa does make a return at NXT Takeover: Philadelphia then it is pretty clear that the former Ring of Honor Television Champion will resume his unfinished rivalry with his former tag team partner Johnny Gargano and the two men will seemingly look forward to faceoff against each other one more time, in the near future.
Author's Take
Tommaso Ciampa is one of the best heels in the world today and I believe when he returns to NXT TV, the former #DIY member will instantly be a top superstar in the company and his rivalry with Gargano might even turn out to be one of the most historic feuds in NXT history.