Tommaso Ciampa Confirms WWE Exit With Statement About What Comes Next

Tommaso Ciampa has now confirmed what had been circulating in reports — his time with WWE is ending.

Following a report from Bodyslam.net that Ciampa was finishing up with the company and not expected to renew his contract, the former NXT Champion addressed the situation directly himself. On January 21, 2026, Ciampa posted a two‑page statement to Instagram that makes it clear his WWE run is officially coming to a close.

He opened by acknowledging that his contract is ending and used the moment to thank nearly everyone involved in his WWE journey over the past decade.

“In the very near future, my contract with the WWE will officially come to an end. I’d like to thank every single person who contributed to the last ten years of this incredible journey… camera crew, ring crew, hair and makeup team, seamstresses, referees, creative, producers, catering crew, commentators, ring announcers, travel department, medical team, talent reps, and anybody I may have missed. A very special thank you to all of the men and women who I’ve shared a ring and locker room with… nothing but love and respect.”

Ciampa made sure to single out the brand that defined his legacy.

“And I would be remiss not to give a special thank you to my black and gold family. You will forever hold an incredibly special place in my heart.”

He also addressed the fans who have followed him from the independent scene through NXT and the main roster. The post became even more personal when Ciampa spoke about his family.

“To the fans who have shown love and support over the last two decades… thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“To my wife and daughter: you are my rock and my forever ‘why’. I love you more.”

From there, he framed his career in three distinct chapters — the past, the present, and what’s still ahead. He reinforced that this isn’t a retirement, but a turning point.

“I spent the first decade of my career traveling the world on the independent scene. I spent the second decade of my career traveling the world with WWE. I have one decade remaining and I’m beyond excited for whatever challenges lie ahead.”

“I’m an incredibly lucky person, one of the few who has spent his entire adult life living out his childhood dream… and while that dream continues to evolve, I will continue to chase it.”

Ciampa then made the most telling statement of all — confirming that he is officially open for outside work for the first time in over ten years.

“With that said, for the first time in over ten years, I am available for all appearances, signings, photo ops, seminars, movies, TV appearances, fitness collaborations, sponsorships and so forth.”

He even provided a direct booking email, which signals this isn’t just emotional reflection — it’s a formal career shift.

Ciampa’s last WWE appearance came on the December 19, 2025 episode of SmackDown, where he and Johnny Gargano lost to Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes. Since then, Gargano has remained active on television, while Ciampa’s absence now has a confirmed explanation. This isn’t framed as bitterness. It’s not framed as controversy. It reads like closure. But it also reads like a door opening.