Tomasso Ciampa wore some new merch to the ring at NXT TakeOver: Chicago but don't expect to see it on WWE Shop any time soon.
The current era in professional wrestling has brought about something of a new phenomenon in the business, cool heels. The very basis of the industry is that a good guy goes up against a bad guy between the ropes, and fans cheer the former and boo the latter. It's no longer that cut and dry. Some bad guys are so entertaining that the fans can't help but fall in love with them and get behind them.
Some more traditional fans and wrestlers are not a fan of the cool heel. Current WWE Superstars that fall into that category are people like The Miz and Kevin Owens. It takes a lot of extra effort to be a real heel in the business today, and NXT's Tomasso Ciampa goes that extra mile. Whether in the ring, on the mic, or on social media, Ciampa makes sure that the fans are not on his side.
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In fact, he doesn't even want them wearing his merchandise. A few months ago he turned WWE down when they approached him about selling his t-shirt, and this week he has done the same again. Ciampa jumped the gun this time though, pre-empting a potential offer from his employers via Twitter, simply telling them that "The answer is NO".
The t-shirt in question is the one Ciampa wore to the ring for his main event match against Johnny Gargano at NXT TakeOver: Chicago. The design is inspired by Avengers: Infinity War. It depicts Ciampa effectively playing the role as Thanos with Gargano on the floor as a superhero gradually disappearing, as if he were one of the Avengers at the end of the recent Marvel blockbuster.
It's a pretty cool piece of merchandise and if it were to be added to WWE Shop it would make Ciampa a lot of money. Unlike many in the business today, the Blackheart of NXT clearly values his pro wrestling character over his income. If you love the t-shirt he wore to the ring on Saturday night, like we do, then at this point in time all you can do is admire it from afar if Ciampa happens to wear it again in the future.