Let’s face it. When you talk about the greatest matches of 2018, the name Johnny Gargano is going to come up more than once. The NXT superstar has been turning heads this past year with his phenomenal in ring skill set. He has so many signature moves to pull from at any moment, he reminds me of guys like Seth Rollins. With more than a few gimmick matches and classic rivalries with the likes of Ciampa, Almas, Black, and more, he is consistently stealing the spotlight. Even if he has yet to capture the NXT Championship.
On the other side of the ring, you have Aleister Black, a mixed martial artist and former NXT Champion. The Dutch Destroyer has also been turning heads whilst actually kicking the heads of his opponents with his devastating Black Mass finisher. There is an aura about Black that makes me think that he honestly could be the next Undertaker. I don’t really know what “It” is, but Black has it.
On paper, this match makes a lot of sense. Aleister has only been pinned in NXT twice, and both times were very much because of Gargano. Story line wise, Gargano has embraced a darker side of his own and was the one to blindly attack Black, taking him out of action for months. The scene has been set. Now it’s time to tell the story in the ring. Add the outstanding commentary of Mauro Ranallo for good measure, and we’re ready to go.
This match had everything: Roll ups, submission maneuvers, high risk spots, and reversals galore. Not to mention, this bout had more strikes than a professional bowlers’ tour. The banter and mind games between the competitors were the icing on the cake. Aleister would perform his patented seated medidation early, but Gargano would run in for a blindside dropkick. Later in the match Aleister would perform the taunt again in order to bait Johnny into an attempted roll-up. Gargano, in full Punisher themed gear and an uncharacteristic evil grin on his face would take on the role of the anti-hero. Mid-match Johnny Wrestling would tell Aleister, “You’re not the chosen one! I am!” After a suicide dive met by a devastating knee however, Gargano would tell his opponent, “I’m sorry” as he placed Black’s boot on his face.
In theory, Johnny was begging Aleister to finish him off, but he pulls a bait and switch of his own, and rolls up his opponent for the near fall! Gargano quickly turns the pin escape into a Gargano escape submission! Aleister fights out and delivers several intense knee strikes. He raises a weary Gargano with his foot and delivers a Black Mass! Gargano falls onto Aleister’s chest which is the only thing keeping him on his feet. Black raises Gargano’s face and tells him, “I absolve you of all your sins.” One more Black Mass for good measure and the Dutch Destroyer takes the W!
For nearly 20 minutes the competitors gave it everything had and left it all in the ring. I actually really enjoyed the dialogue that went on during the match as well. (I rarely do) This match delivered in every way, and surely had some number one contender implications. Or so it would seem at the time. I am however stoked to see Gargano and Black continue the feud in their upcoming Cage match on NXT. Right now, these guys are putting the entire main roster on notice.
