AEW star and current TNT Champion Tommaso Ciampa recently spoke with VICE about his transition to AEW, outlining the critical role character presentation plays in wrestling. He emphasized how effective presentation alone can captivate fans, even those unfamiliar with a wrestler, by establishing someone as a legitimate contender aiming for top titles like the TNT Championship or the world championship.
Ciampa explained that when a performer is positioned as a serious threat to champions, it generates automatic interest among viewers. However, he noted that the wrestler does not have complete control over this perception, revealing the importance of how the promotion frames each competitor to build intrigue.
The Unique Allure of Wrestling’s Dedicated Underground Fanbase
Reflecting on wrestling’s deeply passionate underground audience, Ciampa drew parallels across eras, comparing today’s AEW fanbase with groups from previous periods such as ECW in the 1990s, ROH in the early 2000s, and the “black and gold” NXT crowd of the 2010s. He described each as distinct in atmosphere and expectations, requiring performers to adapt accordingly rather than compete for superiority.
For Ciampa, the passionate underground fan community carries a chip on their shoulder, a quality that has personally drawn him throughout his career. He conveyed that connecting with this crowd in AEW has been a refreshing and enjoyable experience, allowing him to thrive within a culture that values intensity and dedication.
Collaborating with Mikey Rukus on AEW Theme Music Through Adam Cole
As his WWE contract was ending, Ciampa reached out to Adam Cole to find the creator of Cole’s entrance music, which led him to Mikey Rukus. Initially cautious due to contractual restrictions, Ciampa eventually connected directly with Rukus, resulting in a quick but highly productive exchange to develop Ciampa’s new theme song in AEW.
He recalled their first conversation lasting around 20 to 30 minutes and described their creative chemistry, with Rukus intuitively understanding Ciampa’s vision and even anticipating his ideas. The music was produced in about 36 hours with several rounds of adjustments before reaching the final version.
“I’ve never had something so important as music collaboration that way, and it was so quick. I love the music so much. I think it’s so important in today’s day and age of wrestling. I feel like presentation kind of trumps in-ring and promos. Those are the two things I’ve keyed myself to for my entire career. Am I fundamentally sound? Can I go in the ring? Can I cut a promo? Can I tell a story? I never really focused a lot on presentation. While I wanted to, I wasn’t able to express myself that way.”
– Tommaso Ciampa, AEW TNT Champion
Building a List of Dream Opponents to Face in AEW
Since joining AEW, Ciampa has concentrated on crafting a list of wrestlers he wants to challenge, prioritizing career goals that remained unfulfilled in past promotions. Starting with over 20 names, the list includes notable talents like Swerve Strickland, Ricochet, Claudio Castagnoli, and Roddy, many of whom he had never faced in singles competition despite crossing paths before.
Ciampa revealed frustration over missed opportunities during his time in Ring of Honor and WWE, where he never worked singles matches with stars such as Seth Rollins, Generico, Chris Hero, Davey Richards, Randy Orton, and AJ Styles. Determined not to let that happen again, he is focused on actively “checking off that list” during his tenure in AEW instead of letting it remain a collection of wishes.
“I’ve had this, not by choice of course, but this bad track record of not being able to check off those lists. For instance, when I was in Ring of Honor, Seth Rollins went through there, Generico went through there, Claudio, [Chris] Hero, Davey Richards. All these different people that during my time in ROH I never even crossed paths. Then I went to WWE. Randy Orton, AJ [Styles], we never did anything on television together, Seth again. There are so many there that I was like, ‘Oh, I never got to do stuff with them.’ So when I started to put the list together in AEW, I was like, ‘Okay, I got to check this list off. This can’t just be a list that sits there [and] I’m here for five, ten years [wondering] what could have been.’”
– Tommaso Ciampa, AEW TNT Champion
Preparing to Defend the TNT Championship Against Kyle Fletcher
Ciampa is set to defend his TNT Title against Kyle Fletcher on AEW Dynamite, which airs live from Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. Fletcher, a former TNT Champion himself, impressed Ciampa with his athleticism, promo skills, and confident presentation, embodying a newer generation of wrestlers with a strong presence.
Describing Fletcher as a “big boy” who shows no hesitation when stepping into the ring, Ciampa likened his mindset to the high-stakes atmosphere of WWE TakeOver events. He praised Fletcher for resonating deeply with the title, suggesting the championship has helped elevate Fletcher’s standing significantly.
“Kyle is one I’m extremely keen on. I think he’s just an incredible worker, athlete, promo, and presentation. I’m excited to see what I do with a young guy who came from a whole different era than me. That feels like a TakeOver mentality I have going into that one. It’s hard for me to pick a TNT champion who made the title, and the title made him more so than Kyle Fletcher. I feel like that’s a guy who really resonates with it. He’s a big boy, he’s young, he’s athletic. He wants the title. Just [standing] face-to-face with him in the ring on Collision on Saturday, I saw it in his eyes… there’s no hesitation. He’s not nervous. He’s ready for the spotlight.”
– Tommaso Ciampa, AEW TNT Champion
What Tonight’s Match Means for Ciampa’s AEW Journey
Tonight’s AEW Dynamite event represents a pivotal moment for Tommaso Ciampa as he looks to solidify his reign as TNT Champion and prove himself against a rising star in Kyle Fletcher. The match will be broadcast live at 8:00 pm ET on TBS and simulcast on HBO Max, drawing attention from fans eager to see how Ciampa’s presentation approach and in-ring skills translate under pressure.
Ciampa’s focus on building meaningful feuds with carefully chosen opponents and enhancing his character’s presentation signals his commitment to evolving in AEW’s competitive environment. His emphasis on music, storytelling, and connecting with AEW’s passionate fanbase suggests that his TNT Title defenses will continue to carry significant weight within the promotion’s landscape.
