NXT TakeOver: Chicago Authors of Pain v Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa


 * 1) DIY will risk life and limb when they enter a Ladder Match against NXT Tag Team Champions The Authors of Pain on Saturday, May 20, at TakeOver: Chicago.

Though the conditions are threatening — the first team to scale a ladder and gain possession of the titles hanging high above the ring will leave as the victors — putting it all on the line is nothing new for Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano.

The perennial underdogs’ intrepid spirit won them the titles once before, and not to mention, won them the hearts of the NXT Universe. AOP ended #DIY’s reign in January, but since that defeat, and a subsequent loss at TakeOver: Orlando in a Triple Threat Match involving The Revival, Ciampa & Gargano have rebuilt their win-loss record in hopes of securing a straight-up, two-on-two rematch with the champions. On May 10, NXT General Manager William Regal granted their wish, announcing TakeOver: Chicago’s Ladder Match.

Authors manager Paul Ellering declared the match will spell the end of #DIY and said the blood of Ciampa & Gargano will be on Regal’s hands, and he could be right on at least one count.

The Authors have been unstoppable since arriving in NXT, nothing less than insatiable plagues of destruction. There’s no questioning that #DIY are faster and more agile than AOP, but the size and strength advantage clearly belongs to the 290-pound Akam and the 330-pound Rezar.

The question remains: How will the presence of steel ladders factor into the action? Which team stands to benefit most? The only certainty is that both duos will feel the effects of the match for weeks, if not months, to follow.