Prior to making a splash with his AEW debut, Tommaso Ciampa was heavily engaged in negotiations with WWE, which he has now acknowledged were aimed at retaining him. In an interview with SHAK Wrestling on January 30, 2026, Ciampa disclosed that WWE was genuinely intent on re-signing him, presenting a contract offer in the closing months of his deal. Despite this, after thorough reflection, he declined WWE’s offer and opted to forge a new path with AEW. When asked if WWE had indeed extended a proposal, Ciampa responded without hesitation.
“Yes, yes, they did,” he confirmed. “We’ve discussed it multiple times over the past few months.”
Ciampa emphasized that his decision wasn’t driven by frustration or negativity but was instead a personal choice guided by what felt right for the next stage of his life and career. “I just did what I thought was right for me and my wife.” After nearly ten years with WWE, he expressed nothing but gratitude for the opportunities the company provided, acknowledging that his tenure there helped shape him both as a professional and an individual.
“I don’t have a bad word to say about WWE. They gave me an incredible opportunity and a fantastic platform. Over the last decade, I’ve learned and grown a lot. Now, it’s time to take all of that experience and put it into action.”
This revelation comes shortly after Ciampa’s AEW debut on the January 28 episode of Dynamite, where he answered Mark Brisco’s open challenge for the TNT Championship. That same evening, AEW President Tony Khan officially announced Ciampa’s signing with a tweet proclaiming, “Tommaso Ciampa is All Elite.” With his first AEW match slated for Collision this Saturday, Ciampa’s new chapter is underway, showing clearly that he exited WWE on his own terms with unfinished business ahead.
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Fan Take: This news is significant for WWE fans because it highlights the tough choices top talents face when deciding their career paths, shedding light on WWE’s attempts to keep stars like Ciampa. His move to AEW could intensify the competition between promotions, potentially raising the quality and excitement of professional wrestling for fans worldwide.
