Tommaso Ciampa’s AEW Debut Was Nearly Spoiled by Major Disruption Before Surprise Appearance

Tommaso Ciampa’s AEW debut didn’t happen when originally planned — and new details reveal that severe weather forced a last-minute change that delayed his arrival.

Ciampa officially appeared on the January 28 episode of AEW Dynamite, stepping into the ring for a tense face-to-face moment with Mark Briscoe. The appearance immediately generated strong reactions, but behind the scenes, that moment was supposed to happen earlier.

According to Fightful Select, the original plan called for Ciampa to debut on the January 24 edition of AEW Collision. However, severe weather disrupted the show and forced All Elite Wrestling to postpone Briscoe’s scheduled match — which also delayed Ciampa’s debut.

With creative plans suddenly altered, AEW pushed the debut back four days to Dynamite, allowing the company to preserve the surprise under controlled conditions.

Another key detail adds even more context to the timing. Ciampa wasn’t moved to WWE’s alumni section on the company’s official website until January 28 — the same day his AEW debut aired. That update confirmed his departure publicly, even though he had already agreed to terms with AEW days earlier.

To maintain secrecy, AEW reportedly kept Ciampa completely hidden backstage on the night of his debut. The company took extra precautions to prevent leaks, ensuring his confrontation with Briscoe remained a genuine surprise.

The weather may have delayed his arrival, but it didn’t stop AEW from delivering one of its most talked-about moments of the year. With Ciampa now officially part of the roster, the focus shifts to what comes next — and how quickly he climbs the ranks in his new promotion.

What do you think about Tommaso Ciampa joining AEW, and was delaying his debut the right call to preserve the surprise? Let us know your thoughts.