Since 2026 began, AEW has aggressively expanded its roster, with Tommaso Ciampa’s signing standing out as a major coup. The 40-year-old wrestler left WWE and made a surprising debut on Dynamite last month. In his very first match on Collision, Ciampa captured the TNT Championship by defeating Mark Briscoe.
Ciampa, also known as the Psycho Killer, defended his title successfully in a triple threat match against Roderick Strong and Claudio Castagnoli. His next defense was against Kyle Fletcher on this week’s Dynamite, in a match praised by fans and critics alike for its in-ring action. However, Fletcher unexpectedly won the TNT Championship back with a brainbuster, ending Ciampa’s brief tenure as champion.
Fletcher’s victory aligns with AEW’s upcoming Grand Slam event in Australia, Fletcher’s home country. Still, stripping the title from Ciampa so soon risks undermining his rising star status. The decision has sparked debate, as many view it as a significant misstep by AEW. Below are three reasons why Ciampa’s quick loss of the TNT title could be seen as a major mistake.
Ciampa’s Momentum Was Halted Prematurely
Tommaso Ciampa left WWE in large part due to frustration with a stagnant role towards the end of his contract. He has publicly expressed his preference for AEW’s environment in today’s wrestling scene, appreciating its talent-friendly approach. AEW is known for nurturing its stars and wisely capitalizing on their momentum or key storylines. However, by removing Ciampa from the TNT title picture so swiftly—and without a clear path forward—AEW may be stifling the progress of a wrestler who arrived with significant buzz.
The TNT Title Reign Ended Too Soon to Create Impact
Ciampa’s capture of the TNT Championship on the January 31 edition of Collision marked the start of a reign that lasted merely 11 days. Although he had one successful title defense, the brevity of his reign makes it feel inconsequential and short-sighted. This rapid turnover gives the impression that AEW owner Tony Khan’s move was aimed at capitalizing on the hype surrounding Ciampa’s arrival rather than building a meaningful title legacy. This approach risks diminishing the prestige of the TNT Championship, a title historically established on credible champions like Cody Rhodes, Darby Allin, and Samoa Joe.
Ciampa Has Been Removed from the TNT Title Picture
Following Ciampa’s loss to Kyle Fletcher, AEW quickly set plans for the TNT Championship’s future, explicitly excluding the Psycho Killer. Mark Briscoe, a former champion, emerged immediately after the match to challenge Fletcher. The two are now booked for a high-stakes ladder match at AEW’s Grand Slam event in Australia this Saturday.
This rivalry between Briscoe and Fletcher serves as a major promotional focus, marking their seventh encounter. Given the event’s location in Australia, Fletcher is expected to benefit from strong home-country support. Although Tony Khan’s decision fits the current storyline direction and crowd engagement, sidelining Ciampa without outlining his next steps appears shortsighted. Ciampa arrived already popular with audiences, and AEW’s failure to fully integrate him into longer-term plans could hurt both the wrestler’s trajectory and the company’s investment in him.
Overall, AEW’s handling of Tommaso Ciampa’s role with the TNT title has raised questions about the company’s booking strategy. The quick turn of the championship from Ciampa to Kyle Fletcher, followed by an immediate focus on Fletcher’s feud with Mark Briscoe, suggests that the company is prioritizing short-term fan reactions over maximizing Ciampa’s star potential. With AEW’s rapidly evolving landscape, how they adjust their plans for Ciampa moving forward will determine whether this early setback damages his promising AEW career or becomes just a brief detour.
