A running story through out last nights episode of NXT as I expect will be for a while is the mystery of who attacked Aleister Black?

Everyone in NXT is a suspect and it bears some similarities to the who ran over Stevie Austin angle from 1999 to 2000. That angle famously had the underwhelming reveal that Rikishi did it for the Rock. For this angle not to follow the same fate it has to be the right person who’s revealed.

So who should it be?

I don’t think it’s Tommaso Ciampa. It feels too obvious and it doesn’t feel like the direction NXT would go. I think when Black returns he’ll assume it’s Ciampa before the shock reveal of who it actually is.

Originally I was going to suggest it would be Johnny Gargano. His motivation being his obsession with Ciampa got so bad that he took out Black so he could it just be him vs Ciampa. It wouldn’t be a heel turn it would simply be Johnny reaching his breaking point.

The reason I now think it shouldn’t be him is that while it wouldn’t be a heel turn it would be hard for Gargano not to be seen as the heel. Also how does he come back from this and be the same fan favourite he was before. Wait till he’s on the main roster before you ruin him.

But now I think the attacker should be: Kassius Ohno.

On paper a random choice but let me explain. In Ohno’s last few appearances he’s been more aggressive hinting that they could be slowly building to a heel turn. If you’ve read my previous articles you’ll know I think his career desperately needs a heel turn.

Have Ohno continue to show these more heelish tendencies but don’t fully turn him until Black comes back. Ohno and Black do have history from before the came to NXT which they could draw on for their feud. Have Ohno trick Black into believing he’s still his friend and then reveal himself by costing him the NXT championship.

Ohno’s motivation is simple he’s sick and tired of new people coming into NXT and taking opportunities he think should be his. Remember Black came in around the same time Ohno did but since then who’s been the more  showcased performer.

Ohno is jealous of how Black has been given so many opportunities and been featured on the big shows while he is rarely featured on Takeover. Mention how Black kind of interjected himself in Ohno’s feud with Itami last year costing him a spot on Takeover Brooklyn 3.

If you’re not familiar I implore you to go on YouTube and look up some of Ohno’s work when he was Chris Hero. When you do you’ll see he’s so much better as a heel than as a face especially when he teamed with Cesaro as the Kings of Wrestling.

Plus the matches between Ohno and Black would be great. It would be two men who are excellent at striking beating the hell out of each other. Made even better if there was actual emotion behind it.