NXT TakeOver: Phoenix Tommaso Ciampa v Aleister Black

The pinfall to close out the July 25 edition of NXT — the night Tommaso Ciampa defeated Aleister Black to become NXT Champion — not only cemented one of the most infamous NXT Title matches in recent memory, but also a moment when the black-and-gold brand had been rocked to its core. In its aftermath came a cloud that has since billowed over NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV, WarGames: II and, now, Phoenix.

At NXT TakeOver: Phoenix, Black will be out for more than just retribution when he battles Ciampa for the coveted NXT Championship. After knocking out the lights of Johnny Gargano – Ciampa’s former #DIY pal – in a grueling match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames II, The Dutch Destroyer invoked his long-awaited rematch clause. Weeks after that battle, Black stepped up to Tommy Sports-Entertainment on Dec. 5 and declared that he was out to absolve Ciampa of the NXT Championship. Seeing as how this battle has been six months in the making, it wasn’t long before Regal made it official.

Although he’s defended “Goldie” against a few impressive challengers (Johnny Gargano, Velveteen Dream) in the wake of his career-defining victory, Ciampa faces arguably the biggest threat to his NXT Title at NXT TakeOver: Phoenix. Will Ciampa’s lofty spotlight finally “fade to black?”