Former WWE Tag Team Champion Tommaso Ciampa has officially joined AEW, and his debut opponent has already weighed in on the news. After his WWE contract expired, Ciampa appeared on last night’s episode of AEW Dynamite, answering Mark Briscoe’s TNT Championship open challenge. The two are set to clash on the January 31st edition of AEW Collision.
Briscoe responded to Ciampa’s arrival with enthusiasm, promising an intense match this Saturday. In an exclusive statement shared by AEW on Twitter, Briscoe said he couldn’t have scripted the events better and described the dramatic moment when Ciampa’s music hit, signaling his AEW debut. He expressed respect for Ciampa, calling him a familiar figure and stating that he’s ready to fight hard to defend his title, welcoming Ciampa to AEW and its TNT Championship scene.
The history between these two wrestlers goes back to November 2013 in Ring of Honor, now under AEW ownership. Ciampa defeated Briscoe and Jay Lethal in a three-way bout to earn a shot at the ROH World Television Championship at the Golden Dream event, eventually capturing the title. He also bested Briscoe in a singles match at the ROH Pursuit show later that month.
Fan Take: Ciampa’s transition to AEW not only adds star power but also rekindles a historic rivalry that promises high-stakes drama for the TNT Championship. For AEW fans, this signals fresh, compelling matchups that could elevate the brand and bring renewed excitement to the sport.
