When You Try to RKO and Randy Orton Says “Not Today!”
In a scene straight out of a wrestling blooper reel, Tommaso Ciampa, the former two-time NXT Champion, attempted the audacious: RKOing the legendary Randy Orton. But instead of glory, Ciampa found himself staring at the ceiling of the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland, last Friday ahead of “WWE Smackdown.”
The Plot Thickens, Then Flattens
Johnny Gargano, Ciampa’s tag-team partner, couldn’t resist sharing the hilarity on social media. On Wednesday afternoon, Gargano posted a video capturing Ciampa’s sneaky plan to RKO Orton. With commentary poking fun at Orton’s “stupid music” and “stupid tattoos,” Ciampa’s stealthy approach seemed foolproof. But just as he lunged, Orton moved aside with the grace of a jungle cat, leaving Ciampa to crash down, perfectly executing a self-inflicted back bump outside the ring.
A Throwback to “Stupid, Stupid, Stupid”
The video concluded with both Ciampa and Gargano humorously chanting “stupid, stupid, stupid,” a nod to Orton’s infamous rant during a 2009 triple threat match with John Cena and Kofi Kingston. Seems like Ciampa’s attempt was not just a physical fail but a nostalgic homage to WWE’s most meme-worthy moments.
Drama on “WWE Smackdown”
Later that evening, “DIY” (Ciampa and Gargano) appeared on “WWE SmackDown,” where they joined “A-Town Down Under” on the “Grayson Waller Effect.” Their ambition to challenge for the WWE Tag-Team Championship was shot down by Austin Theory and Grayson Waller, sparking a wild brawl in the ring. Clearly, Ciampa and Gargano aren’t letting a little thing like gravity dampen their fighting spirits.
Championship Drought Continues
Despite their spirited antics, “DIY” remains without gold on the main roster. Their last taste of championship glory was back in 2016, when they defeated “The Revival” for the NXT Tag-Team Championship in a Best Two Out of Three Falls match. Maybe next time, Ciampa will leave the RKOs to Orton and stick to what he does best—delivering unforgettable wrestling moments, even if they end up on a blooper reel.