NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa comments on rumors that he was behind the mysterious attack on Aleister Black. Video courtesy of the award-winning WWE Network.

Appearing live on WWE NXT for the first time since his triumphant title defense against Johnny Gargano in a Last Man Standing Match at TakeOver: Brooklyn IV, NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa seemed to puff out his chest more than ever as he entered Full Sail Live. (He also arrived with new entrance music, which Ciampa said is his personal message to the NXT fans to “shut up.”)

Ciampa addressed the rumors that he was involved in last month’s mysterious parking lot attack on Aleister Black. Though The Scourge of NXT admitted that he had planned to take out The Dutch Destroyer before TakeOver: Brooklyn, he denied culpability, explaining that somebody else had simply beaten him to the punch. Ciampa also claimed that had Black been medically cleared to compete for the NXT Title in Brooklyn, it wouldn’t have changed the result. (“Gargano loses, Black loses, I win,” Ciampa growled.)

Before exiting, Ciampa shared some advice, saying that anyone who wants to be a winner in a life should follow his lead. Tommy Sports-Entertainment then ripped up a “Ciampa Sucks” sign belonging to a Gargano supporter at ringside in one final audacious display.