Tommaso Ciampa: I Needed To Remind People How Good I Was In NXT TakeOver Match With WALTER

Tomasso Ciampa has spoken about his NXT TakeOver match against WALTER in April, saying he wanted to use it as an opportunity to remind people he is the best wrestler in the world.

Ciampa and WALTER squared off for the NXT United Kingdom Championship on Night One of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, putting on a bout that many consider a viable candidate for the 2021 Match Of The Year.

Ciampa knew he and WALTER would have a 'special' match if they ever got in the ring together and has admitted he wanted to use the bout as a vehicle to show people just how good he is.

Speaking to Denise Salcedo, Ciampa said: "I think it was a smart strategy to try and break the boy's hand because the chops sucked. It's wild because I just don't know how he does it. It echoes, it caves you even see the photos of how his hand prints and manipulates a chest, it's legit. 

"He's a hell of a competitor. I always knew that, I did a lot of tours in WXW in Germany, we never got to get in the ring together but he was one of those guys where I knew ' I bet we're gonna have a special one.' I wish it was in front of a huge sold out arena, I think it would have added a new element to it. 

"I was happy with it {the match}. I think for me really though it was one of those like I just remember going into it like 'I feel I gotta remind people.' I didn't understand why, but I feel like in 2018 people kinda got how damn good I was and then I broke my neck and I went away for surgery and, I get it, I took a little time off there.

"But I just feel like people don't realize how damn good I am. I am the best wrestler in the world, point blank. And I felt that in the Walter match, 'I guess I'll just remind people and see if they forget quickly again'.