Tommaso Ciampa revealed the reasoning behind his dramatic heel turn during Saturday’s AEW Collision broadcast, where he was defeated by Daniel Garcia. The match ended chaotically after an unusual involvement by commentator Mark Briscoe, leading to a sudden shift in Ciampa’s character.
During the final moments, Garcia moved toward the commentary area, prompting Briscoe to climb onto the ring apron. When Ciampa was thrown into the ropes, he collided with Briscoe, allowing Garcia to secure a quick pinfall victory.
Briscoe Attack and Formation of New Alliance
Following the match, FTR—Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler—entered the ring, continuing their recent pursuit of Ciampa, who had previously been the NXT Champion. Briscoe returned to calm the situation, aiming to prevent an attack. However, as Ciampa and Briscoe headed backstage, Ciampa suddenly attacked Briscoe by slamming him headfirst into the stage. This violent move recalled Ciampa’s notorious betrayal of Johnny Gargano during their NXT rivalry.
Despite the apparent hostility, Ciampa appears to have aligned himself with FTR. The trio is slated to face Briscoe alongside The Young Bucks—Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson—in an upcoming three-on-three tag team match.
Ciampa’s Explanation and Return to a Darker Persona
Shortly after the incident, Ciampa posted a video on social media to explain his motivation. He expressed frustration over being disrespected and questioned how he could earn a championship rematch after suffering a loss. He also wondered why Briscoe was involved in the match at all.
“How do I get a rematch for my championship title with a loss tonight? And why the hell was he out there in the first place?”
Ciampa admitted to being tired of playing a heroic role and said embracing a darker side felt more authentic to him now.
“What doesn’t feel good is the disrespect,”
“I’m sick of it because I’m the best me. I’m the best damn wrestler alive, and nobody gives me the respect that I deserve.”
He concluded with a chilling promise, invoking his dangerous past persona to signal a drastic change in character.
“So you wanna get real? Yeah, we can get real… March 7, 2026, the Psycho Killer is alive.”
Impact and Upcoming Storylines
Ciampa’s heel turn marks a significant shift in his AEW storyline, intensifying rivalries and alliances. His new partnership with FTR and the impending match against Briscoe and The Young Bucks are expected to deepen the ongoing tensions. This development brings renewed attention to Ciampa’s persona and his quest for respect within the wrestling world, setting the stage for future high-stakes confrontations.
— Tommaso Ciampa (@MrTommasoCiampa) March 8, 2026
