Tommaso Ciampa disclosed that WWE extended a contract offer before he transitioned to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). After his WWE agreement expired, Ciampa debuted in AEW just one week later, marking a significant change in his career after nearly ten years with WWE.
In a discussion with SHAK Wrestling, Ciampa explained that he engaged in contract talks with WWE during the last two to three months of his deal. Despite multiple conversations, he ultimately decided to decline WWE’s offer and pursue new opportunities, emphasizing that his choice was personal and not influenced by any bad experiences with WWE.
Ciampa Reflects on His Career and WWE’s Role in His Growth
“Yeah (WWE offered me another contract). Yeah. We chatted, and it was somewhere in the last two to three months, and we chatted a handful of times, and I just needed to do what I thought was right for me, my wife. I’ve got not one bad word to say about WWE. They gave me an incredible opportunity and an incredible platform, and the last 10 years, I learned a ton. I’ve evolved a ton, and it’s time for me to just take all of that and really apply it… That’s the biggest part for me was to just take the lead to it.”
— Tommaso Ciampa, Professional Wrestler
Ciampa clarified that his exit was not due to creative disagreements or backstage conflicts. Instead, he framed it as the next phase in his personal and professional development. WWE served as the foundation where he transformed from a prominent NXT figure to a widely recognized talent, and he openly credited WWE for shaping his career trajectory.
Final WWE Appearance and Swift Transition to AEW
Ciampa’s last match under WWE occurred during the December 19 episode of SmackDown. He teamed with longtime ally Johnny Gargano, but the pair were defeated by Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov. This match marked a quiet conclusion to Ciampa’s decade-long WWE tenure before his rapid debut in AEW.
Looking Ahead: Ciampa’s New Chapter with AEW
Since joining AEW, Ciampa has spoken candidly about his decision to leave WWE, offering additional insights in interviews. With his official addition to AEW’s roster, fans and analysts are eager to see how he applies the skills and experiences he gained over ten years in WWE to this fresh phase of his career.
