Tommaso Ciampa’s heel turn on AEW Collision has drawn considerable attention, but many fans are criticizing the company for mimicking a signature WWE moment. The controversy arose after a segment where Ciampa’s actions mirrored his notorious betrayal during WWE’s NXT Black and Gold era, leading viewers to accuse AEW of recycling old storylines rather than creating original content.
Online Reactions Highlight Strong Parallels to NXT TakeOver Segment
Following the segment, social media users quickly pointed out striking similarities between Ciampa’s attack on Mark Briscoe and his infamous heel turn against Johnny Gargano at NXT TakeOver: Chicago. Several fans expressed disappointment on Twitter, arguing AEW failed to present a fresh take. One commenter wrote,
“Ripping off the Ending of NXT Takeover Chicago. You really can’t come up with anything different can you 🤣🤣🤣🤣” ?Fan on Twitter
Other critics were harsher, suggesting AEW relies heavily on nostalgia and past successes of former NXT stars instead of nurturing new narratives. Another user added,
“LOL another NXT Black and Gold alum rehashing the hits from yesteryear because without HHH these guys are directionless.” ?Twitter user
Some assert that Ciampa and other ex-NXT performers continue revisiting their biggest moments from WWE, which detracts from innovation within AEW’s storytelling.
Details of the AEW Heel Turn and Its Implications
The heel turn occurred after Ciampa’s loss to Daniel Garcia, when he unexpectedly attacked Mark Briscoe on the entrance ramp. Ciampa smashed Briscoe into a video screen before delivering a running knee that left him incapacitated. The duo FTR was shown observing the scene, seemingly approving of the assault, hinting at a potential alliance with Ciampa moving forward. This marked a clear positioning of Ciampa as a villain in AEW.
Despite that intention, the backlash online shows many fans cannot dissociate the angle from Ciampa’s iconic WWE betrayal, fueling debates about originality in AEW’s creative direction.
Community Response and Future Prospects
The controversy raises questions about AEW’s ability to build fresh storylines among former WWE talents. Whether this segment reflects homage or lack of creativity remains debated within the wrestling community. Fans are divided on whether AEW’s portrayal of Ciampa’s heel turn is an intentional nod or an unoriginal copy of the NXT classic.
What happens next may determine AEW’s storytelling approach as it continues integrating wrestlers with well-known histories. The reaction underscores the challenge of balancing respect for legacy moments while delivering new content that engages today’s audience.
Ripping off the Ending of NXT Takeover Chicago
You really can't come up with anything different can you 🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/iq359q43Qf
— JaydenBlue18 (@JayydenBlue18) March 8, 2026
Proving once again that this company is nothing more than a glorified nostalgia act
— ㅤ (@subZZro) March 8, 2026
LOL Another NXT Black and Gold alum rehashing the hits from yesteryear because without HHH these guys are directionless.
— Free Smoke (@yomamahouce) March 8, 2026
