Clever character development and some strong in-ring performances? It’s that time once again guys, time to check out the best WWE Network show… No, not Total Divas! Let’s check out what happened This Week on NXT!

Tommaso Ciampa came… 

Tommaso Ciampa came out to the ring as the crowd was holding up Johnny Gargano signs. “You suck!” chant broke out before he could even get there. Ciampa grabbed a mic but the chants from the crowd were so loud Ciampa and the boos get even louder. To the “We want Johnny!” chants, he replied “He’s gone! Newsflash! He’s not walking down that damn aisle! He’s gone!” The crowd responded with a “Ciampa sucks!” chant and he soaked that one in. Ciampa headed out of the ring, slowly tore up a Gargano’s sign, and then another, and then a masked guy’s sign. But under the mask was Johnny Gargano who brawled with Ciampa in the ring. Security came up and pulled Gargano out of the building. “Let them fight!”, replied the crowd.

MEANWHILE…

– Charly Caruso gave an update on the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Tyler Bate talked about his injury and how he won’t be able to compete in the tournament. Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan will now face a new team, Roderick Strong made a plea to fill in the gap.

– Backstage, Adam Cole told Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish to hang back tonight as he took down Kassius Ohno so everyone can see what makes them undisputed.

DUSTY RHODES TAG TEAM CLASSIC: ROUND ONE

Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch vs. Roderick Strong and Pete Dunne

Nice pop for Pete Dunne when he was revealed as Strong’s partner. Lorcan and Strong started off and Lorcan quickly grounded the action. Strong quickly escaped and Burch was tagged in. He tried to work Strong’s arm, but Dunne tagged in and tried to rip off Burch’s hand. Burch countered out and tripped up Dunne, but Strong made the save. Back from break, Dunne had Burch grounded, working his arm. Dunne slapped the s**t out of Burch and tagged in Strong who connected with a backbreaker. Nice double teams until Dunne hit massive chops.

Burch fired back with a missile dropkick, double tag to Lorcan and Strong. Lorcan unloaded a big lariat and a blockbuster on Strong. Dunne back in stomped on the arm of Burch and connected with the X-plex. Lorcan cut off Strong with an uppercut while Burch and Dunne slapped the s**t of each other. Burch hit suplexes to Strong & Dunne, then locked Dunne on the crossface while Lorcan applied a half Boston crab on Strong. Strong escaped while Dunne hit an enzuigiri, but Burch replied with an Xploder. Strong tagged in, hit a backbreaker and the End of Heartache for the win.

Winners: Roderick Strong and Pete Strong, advance to the semifinals

Ember Moon vs. Aliyah

Nothing more than a squash match to tease the upcoming NXT Women’s Championship match at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. Shayna Baszler came over to commentary while Aliyah got the best of Ember Moon in the beginning with kicks and a slam. Aliyah went for a crossbody off the second turnbuckle but Ember caught her and hit a Samoan drop. She continued with a kip-up, a flip into the corner followed by a corner clothesline. Moon headed to the top rope and hit The Eclipse for the pin. While Ember was staring at her from the ring, Baszler got on the announce table and the two trash talked from distance. 

Winner: Ember Moon

Almas’ message for Black

Raul Mendoza was heading out for a match but Andrade “Cien” Almas attacked him on the stage and headed to the ring with Zelina Vega. Almas cut a promo in Spanish and in English and told Aleister Black “You didn’t respect me so I called you out…you piece of s—.” He wanted Black to face him next week, while Zelina was cheering him.

MEANWHILE

– Next week on NXT, Aleister Black will be there. Sanity vs. Roderick Strong & Pete Dunne and The Authors Of Pain vs. Street Profits will face off in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semi-finals. And NXT GM William Regal will be making an announcement that will change the landscape of NXT forever.

#WWENXT GM @RealKingRegal has an announcement that will change the landscape of @WWENXT forever…

…and he'll reveal what it is, NEXT WEEK! pic.twitter.com/ig5Ab5eyOo

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) March 22, 2018

Adam Cole vs. Kassius Ohno

They locked up, Cole looked to work the arm, but Ohno escaped and attacked the arm. Cole hit a knee strike and a shoulder tackle. Ohno battled back with a big boot and a big lad senton. Ohno worked Cole’s knee on the floor. But Cole replied with an enzuigiri and boots to Ohno. Back from break, Cole was in control with an elbow, a bicycle kick, a swinging neck breaker, boots and a backstabber. Ohno battled back with a big right when Cole called him a loser. Ohno connected with a knee strike, a running clothesline, a slam, a leg drop and a cyclone kick. Ohno went for a suplex, Cole blocked it and hit a last shot. Ohno blocked a knee strike and stunned Cole off the ropes. The forearm and the high tension elbow then sent Cole to the floor. Ohno brought Cole back to the ring,  Cole hits 3 superkicks, the Last Shot and the running knee strike to finish Ohno. And he did it on his own…

Winner: Adam Cole

All pics courtesy of WWE.com