WWE adds Ciampa vs. Thatcher to NXT TakeOver: WarGames
WWE has rounded out the card for NXT TakeOver: WarGames.
It was announced on tonight’s episode of NXT that Tommaso Ciampa vs. Timothy Thatcher will take place at TakeOver: WarGames this Sunday. This is the fifth match that’s been confirmed for the event.
Ciampa first confronted Thatcher on NXT two weeks ago, but Thatcher said he had no problem with Ciampa and backed away. The confrontation came after Thatcher defeated August Grey and then attacked him following the match.
Ciampa then brought out a chair and sat at ringside for Thatcher’s match against Kushida last week. Thatcher was distracted by Ciampa, leading to Kushida getting the win by submitting Thatcher with the Hoverboard Lock. Ciampa looked into the camera and said that maybe Thatcher has a problem with him now.
On tonight’s NXT, Thatcher presented a Thatch-as-Thatch-can session in the ring. The subject of the session was dealing with distractions. Ciampa appeared and Thatcher again insisted that he has no problem with Ciampa. Ciampa called Thatcher a disappointment. Thatcher said he wasn’t going to be goaded by Ciampa, but he then took Ciampa down. Ciampa fought back and dropped Thatcher with a punch, but Thatcher’s student started brawling with Ciampa. Thatcher took advantage of that by attacking Ciampa and putting him to sleep.
Thatcher was then interviewed backstage and was asked if he set up Ciampa. Thatcher claimed that he didn’t know his student was going to do that and said he was impressed by his student taking initiative. Thatcher said Ciampa learned about distractions tonight — and Sunday at TakeOver he’ll learn about respect.
Here’s the updated card for TakeOver: WarGames:
- WarGames match: Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish) vs. Team McAfee (Pat McAfee, Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch)
- WarGames match: Team Shotzi (Shotzi Blackheart, Ember Moon, Rhea Ripley & NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai) vs. Team Candice (Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez & Toni Storm)
- NXT North American Champion Leon Ruff defends his title against Johnny Gargano and Damian Priest in a triple threat match
- Strap match: Dexter Lumis vs. Cameron Grimes
- Tommaso Ciampa vs. Timothy Thatcher