WWE/NXT News: NXT Champion Ciampa set to undergo neck surgery, will be out of action for a long period of time (w/Radican’s Analysis)

NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa is going to be out of action for an extended period of time after having neck surgery, which will be performed within the next few days according to PWTorch sources. Ciampa, the current NXT Champion, was expected to work through WrestleMania weekend and take time off for surgery after that weekend, but his neck condition worsened recently and he is going to have to have the surgery now.

[SPOILER ALERT: At the last set of NXT tapings, an angle had been shot to set up Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano for the NXT Takeover special during WrestleMania weekend. The pair were in the midst of an intricate long-term feud that has been a big part of NXT programming the last several years.]

All plans regarding Ciampa in NXT’s ecosystem now have to be changed as the NXT Championship will be vacated. NXT has another set of tapings set to take place before WrestleMania weekend, so the creative team will have time to adjust the card.

Ciampa had been recently called up to the main roster and wrestled on Raw and Smackdown. He was paired with Johnny Gargano as D.I.Y., but the duo did not appear on Raw or Smackdown this week.

Sources tell PWTorch that Ciampa is expected to make a complete recovery from his surgery and be back and better than ever when he returns to action. Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer originally reported Ciampa was scheduled to have neck surgery.

Radican’s Analysis:My best wishes go out to Ciampa, who has had an incredible program with Gargano that was likely going to be blown off at Takeover during WrestleMania weekend. He’s had to overcome a lot in terms of injuries in recent years, but the good news is that he’s expected to be back and better than ever once he’s able to return from neck surgery.