5 Reasons Why Johnny Gargano Is Better Off Without DIY (& 5 Why Tommaso Ciampa Is)

DIY was one of the best tag teams in NXT history with Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa becoming unbelievably popular by working together. Being two genuine best friends who worked similar styles, they were an easy team for fans to love.

They put on some of the best tag team matches in WWE's history and it led to a shocking moment when they were split. However, both men have taken their careers to new heights since splitting up, but who has benefitted the most?

10 Johnny Gargano: Becoming The Face Of NXT

Tag team wrestlers never end up being the face of a brand, no matter how popular they become. However, when they split up, Johnny Gargano did go on to become the face and the flagbearer of the black and yellow brand.

It was the whole reason he feuded with Finn Balor when he returned to NXT, as both men wanted to prove they were the best NXT leader. Splitting from DIY allowed Gargano to become that guy, which was huge for him.

9 Tommaso Ciampa: Incredible Heel Turn

While both men have switched between being a heel and a babyface several times since splitting up, the original turn from Tommaso Ciampa was the best of the bunch. He was the man who initially betrayed Johnny Gargano and created one of NXT's most shocking moments.

Fans were genuinely stunned to see Ciampa go against his best friend in the manner that he did, and it changed up his character completely. It was an amazing moment and obviously they had to be apart for it to happen.

8 Johnny Gargano: Working As A Heel

While Tommaso Ciampa's heel turn may have been slightly better, splitting from DIY has also allowed Johnny Gargano to work as a heel as well. He was the main event babyface name in the brand and switching allowed Gargano to show a new side of himself.

It has allowed him to become a totally fresh character and stopped him from being stale, and that's certainly a great thing for him in the long-term.

7 Tommaso Ciampa: Feud With Adam Cole

One of the big highlights of Tommaso Ciampa's post-DIY run was when he feuded with Adam Cole over the NXT Championship. This is arguably Cole's best feud as NXT Champion and it brought the best out of both men.

They worked fantastic in the ring together and their promos were sensational. This feud helped take the NXT Championship itself to the next level and that's always a great thing.

6 Johnny Gargano: Adding To The North American Title

One big way that Johnny Gargano is better without DIY is that not being in a tag team allowed him to work in the North American Championship picture. The title has become a huge one for the brand, and that's all down to having great wrestlers compete for it.

One of those was Gargano. Fans really stood up and took notice when he pushed for that title, as it proved the biggest names in NXT's history wanted to hold it, which made it a big deal.

5 Tommaso Ciampa: More Promo Time

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Something that Tommaso Ciampa as benefitted from massively since the split of DIY is the fact he's gained far more time on the microphone. When they were a team their microphone time was split and it wasn't always clear if Ciampa was a great talker.

However, since they parted ways Ciampa has been given tons of time on the microphone and his promo abilities are certainly up to scratch. He's flourished on the microphone and that has made him an even better talent.

4 Johnny Gargano: Working With Candice LeRae

A big benefit from Johnny Gargano not wrestling with Tommaso Ciampa anymore is that he is now able to work with his wife, Candice LeRae. She's one of the best female wrestlers in the world and giving her more of a spotlight is a great decision.

The two of them together, either as babyfaces or now as heels is something that has worked really well. They are able to really put great storylines together and it allows Gargano to do something totally different.

3 Tommaso Ciampa: His Injury Return Meant More

When Tommaso Ciampa went away with his neck injury, it was unclear whether he would ever return to wrestling. However, when he did come back it was a massive moment and it was made even bigger because he was on his own.

A big return as a top singles star, arguably the biggest in the brand was exactly what he deserved. It proved that he was the man and that's something that only happens with Ciampa being alone.

2 Johnny Gargano: Triple Crown Champion

Being apart from Tommaso Ciampa has allowed both of them to focus on their singles career and they have had plenty of success. However, out of the two of them, there is only Johnny Gargano who is a Triple Crown Champion in NXT.

The fact he has been able to go on to win the North American and NXT Championship has really cemented him as the top star in NXT. The change has been refreshing and it's certainly something he has benefitted from.

1 Tommaso Ciampa: Work With Goldie

While both men have held the NXT Championship during their singles career, Tommaso Ciampa's run was certainly the stronger of the two. His obsession with the title, which he nicknamed "Goldie" really helped make his run feel enjoyable.

He helped take the title to new levels of importance and that is always a good thing. The audience really loved his time as champion and that was something that wouldn't have happened if they'd stayed together.

NEXT: NXT: 10 Performers Who Will Become Breakout Stars By The End Of 2020