Tyler Rust is the premiere student of Timothy Thatcher, even getting offers from Malcolm Bivens. However, being aligned with Thatcher put Rust on the radar of Tomassao Ciampa, especially after some sneak attacks. Tonight, Ciampa gets revenge on the student, but would set up a chair for the teacher at ringside.
Tyler Rust Shows That He’s No Rookie
Rust is an unknown in NXT coming into this match, but is a 15 year pro. Fans of NJPW & ROH will recognize him as Rust Taylor. Ciampa would take him into the corner to start, but let a clean break. Rust grabbed the arm of Ciampa and showed his wrestling pedigree with the wristlock. Ciampa was taken down, but was able to scramble out briefly. He’s really upped his mat game during the matches with KUSHIDA & Thatcher, and was able to hold his own here.
Thatcher would finally accept the invitation to see his student get mauled, and Ciampa picked up the aggression. Heavy strikes ending with a running back elbow would be followed with Rust being set to the outside to pisss Thatcher off.
Ciampa would be shoved into Thatcher, but dodged the boot to the face from Rust, getting a shot at Thatcher, who had to be pulled to the back.Getting back in the ring, Rust took a cheap shot at Ciampa and yanked his arm over the ropes as we go to a break.
Tommaso Ciampa Doesn’t Go Down Easily
Coming back from the break, Rust was in control and attacking the shoulder of Ciampa. Despite this, Ciampa powered out and hit the Samoan Drop. He’d fire up with some jumping lariats, sending Rust into the corner, nailing another lariat and getting the Air Raid Siren after for a near fall.
Rust would take some chops, but countered the suplex attempt with some heavy kicks. He’d go right to another submission, getting a cross armbreaker but couldn’t get the full extension. Ciampa broke it before being locked in again, having to stomp his way out. Rust telegraphed a takedown and took a knee to the jaw.
Ciampa set up the Fairytale Ending, but the damage to the arm made it hard to get Rust up, who hit a flipping neckbreaker. A lazy cover got him a two count before Rust applied the fujiwara armbar, before trapping the other arm, and Ciampa barely got the ropes.
Rust kicked at the arm, but Ciampa isolated the leg in the ropes and attacked that before battering Rust with strikes. A running knee and Willows Bell, this one was through.
Tyler Rust came into NXT with little hype, but he showed exactly how damn good he is. This 33 year old earned some respect here, and he’s going to be a star. After the match, Thatcher and Ciampa had another stare down.
Could Tyler Rust be a breakout star in 2021? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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