NXT Spotlight: Giovanni Vinci Won't Stand By While Someone Else Makes History

Before we focus on Giovanni Vinci, we must take a look at Apollo Crews.

Apollo Crews is no stranger to success — or, dare we say domination — in WWE. 

Not only did he get his start in NXT in the mid-2010s, but he is also a former WWE United States Champion and former Intercontinental Champion. Crews also holds major victories over Superstars like Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. 

He also has a Wrestlemania victory on his resume after defeating Big E at Wrestlemania 37 in a thrilling Intercontinental Title bout.

So, you may be asking yourself: Why, exactly, are we running down the impressive list of accolades of one Apollo Crews?

Well, because Giovanni Vinci just pinned him dead-center in the middle of the ring on Tuesday night.

Did you see that powerbomb? We’re surprised Vinci didn’t just powerbomb straight through the ring.

Why is this important? Well, a few weeks back, Apollo Crews made his triumphant and long-awaited return to NXT after many years of being a featured Superstar on the Raw brand — and he immediately made it known that he would be coming after none other than NXT Champion Bronn Breakker. 

The WWE Universe was understandably intrigued. After all, not many Superstars can match the physical stature and intensity of Bronn Breakker, and Crews has the pedigree and skillset to take the title away from him.

It’s almost as if Giovanni Vinci saw the return of Crews to NXT and took it personally. If Crews wanted to get to Breakker, Vinci would have to make sure he gets through him first.

As it turns out, Crews didn’t get through Vinci. 

That’s one of the most exciting aspects of watching NXT 2.0 — every single competitor in that ring is driven and insanely talented. Wins mean everything when you’re young and hungry, and that’s why it was no surprise that Giovanni Vinci made sure the world knew who he was by defeating Apollo Crews and seriously derailing the former Raw Superstar’s road to the NXT Championship.

That’s why we’ve shown the spotlight on Giovanni Vinci this week — because he turned heads. The WWE Universe saw Apollo Crews arrive in NXT, make his presence known, and demanded an eventual showdown with Bron Breakker. 

Most NXT Superstars would respect the wishes of a veteran like Apollo Crews and wish him well on his journey towards the title. Not Giovanni Vinci, though.

He didn’t stand by and watch as somebody else made history. 

He made history himself by power bombing the ever-loving snot out of Crews (go back and re-watch that powerbomb, for real) and pinning him for the three-count. It looks like Giovanni Vinci isn’t going to wait around for moments to be handed to him – he’s going to seize those moments himself.

Because of this huge win, Vinci has cemented himself as a possible top contender to Bron Breakker’s NXT Championship, joining other Superstars who have painted a target on the champion’s back — Superstars like JD McDonagh and Apollo Crews himself.

What kind of statement will Giovanni Vinci make next in NXT? 

Looks like we’re all going to have to tune in next week to find out.