lost after Almas valet, Zelina Vega, threw a #DIY shirt at Gargano to distract him. On the December 6 episode of NXT, Gargano defeated Kassius Ohno to qualify for a number one contender's fatal four-way match for the NXT Championship involving Aleister Black, Killian Dain and Lars Sullivan, which Gargano won after pinning Black (becoming the first man to do so). Feud with Tommaso Ciampa (2018–2019) At NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia on January 27, 2018, Gargano failed to capture the NXT Championship from Andrade "Cien" Almas in a critically acclaimed match. Afterwards, Tommaso Ciampa returned to attack Gargano from behind with a crutch. Gargano faced Almas for the title again on the February 21 episode of NXT, where Gargano failed to win the title after interference from Ciampa, thus forcing him to (kayfabe) leave NXT. At NXT TakeOver: New Orleans on April 7, he defeated Ciampa in an unsanctioned match to be reinstated to NXT. On the April 25 episode of NXT, Gargano was once again attacked by Ciampa while he was making his entrance for his NXT Championship match against Aleister Black, leading to a Chicago Street Fight between them at NXT TakeOver: Chicago II on June 16, which Ciampa won. At the July 18 NXT tapings of the July 25 episode, Gargano interfered in Ciampa's NXT Championship match against Black and accidentally hit Black with the title belt, causing Ciampa to win the championship. The following week, all three men were scheduled in a triple threat match for the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV on August 18, though Black was removed from the match due to being unable to compete after being found unconscious in the parking lot after the show. The title match was later changed to a Last Man Standing match between Gargano and Ciampa at the event, which Ciampa won. On the October 24 episode of NXT, Gargano was revealed as the one who attacked Aleister Black, turning heel in the process. Black and Gargano continued their rivalry, culminating in a match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames II on November 17, which Black won. On the December 19 episode of NXT, Gargano defeated Black in a steel cage match after interference from Ciampa, ending their feud. At NXT TakeOver: Phoenix on January 26, 2019, Gargano defeated Ricochet to capture the NXT North American Championship. Later in the night, after Ciampa successfully defended his NXT Championship