In 2018, perhaps at the height of the black and gold era of WWE NXT, wrestler Tommaso Ciampa made a no-music entrance at Takeover New Orleans. Ciampa was wrestling his former tag team partner Johnny Gargano that night, and the lack of music only made the sound of the crowd’s jeers and jeers more noticeable. After that, he would go months without music, which Ciampa felt was a risky decision, as he revealed. “Battleground Podcast”.
“I don’t think I knew (it would work). I wanted to take a risk, that’s for sure, and I’m glad it paid off,” Ciampa said. “It could have gone a different way, that’s for sure, and I had that thought in my head.”
Little did Ciampa realize at the time how much attention the entry would garner throughout the industry, or that it would stick in fans’ memories for years to come. The wrestler said fans often ask about it now, and he attributes its success to the NXT audience.
“It’s one of those things I’d like to recreate one day when the tide turns,” he continued. “I’d love to recreate that as a babyface one day because I think there’s a cool element to it.”
If Ciampa decides to bring back the silent entrance, it will most likely be with a different company. Earlier this year, Ciampa has let his WWE contract expire after more than a decade with the company, and shortly after, he made his AEW debut.
If you use any quotes from this article, please credit the Battleground Podcast and credit ah/t Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
