Tommaso Ciampa just won the AEW National Championship, but he might already have his next opponent waiting for him. Following his surprise title victory over Andrade El Ídolo, there’s speculation that Ciampa could be heading straight into a championship feud with Ilja Dragunov — and the two already have some unfinished business.
Ciampa defeated Andrade during the November 7 episode of AEW Collision, which took place aboard Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea cruise. The match got particularly dangerous when rain made the ring slippery, leading to an awkward landing that caused referee Aubrey Edwards to check on Andrade. Both men continued fighting until Ciampa caught Andrade in a pinning combination to capture the championship.
During the November 8 edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez discussed the unexpected title change and what it could mean for both wrestlers. Meltzer suggested that Ciampa’s victory might be setting up a feud with Dragunov, while also questioning where Andrade goes after losing the championship.
“So I think that means Champa versus Dragunov will be the title feud for the feud over the national title. And I’m not sure where Andrade goes now.”
Alvarez responded by pointing out that Andrade already has a guaranteed opportunity at the AEW World Championship, meaning losing the National Title doesn’t necessarily leave him without a direction.
“Well, Andrade’s got the briefcase. I mean, if he’s got that briefcase for a world title shot, he doesn’t need another belt.”
Meltzer agreed before Alvarez brought up WWE’s recent decision to put another championship on Penta at Crown Jewel despite his existing title opportunity.
“Although we just did that at Crown Jewel of Penta. But still, I don’t think he needs a second belt if he’s got that briefcase.”
Meltzer then suggested that Andrade, Penta and Bandido could all be competing to become the next major Mexican star to capture a world championship.
“Yeah, it’s the big. The big race right now between Penta, Andrade and Bandido to see who becomes the national hero in Mexico by getting the world title first.”
The possibility of Ciampa facing Dragunov isn’t coming completely out of nowhere, either. The two already had a confrontation during the October 28 episode of AEW Dynamite, when Dragunov interrupted Ciampa’s promo about becoming the next National Champion.
Dragunov challenged Ciampa to prove his claim that he was AEW’s biggest signing by facing him immediately. Ciampa initially looked ready to fight but ultimately refused, telling Dragunov it wouldn’t happen that night before leaving the ring.
That confrontation left the door open for a future match, and Ciampa now holding the National Championship could give their unfinished issue even more significance. Dragunov made his AEW debut at WrestleDream on October 17 and has already established himself as someone willing to challenge Ciampa.
As for Andrade, his championship loss doesn’t erase the guaranteed world title opportunity he earned by winning the Casino Gauntlet at All In: London. Andrade previously made it clear that he wanted to become a double champion, but losing the National Championship could allow him to shift his attention entirely toward the AEW World Title.
For now, a Ciampa vs. Dragunov championship feud remains speculation. Meltzer was offering his prediction based on the title change, not confirming that AEW has booked the match or decided on Ciampa’s first challenger.
Still, AEW has already teased tension between Ciampa and Dragunov, and putting the National Championship between them would give that rivalry an entirely new reason to explode. Ciampa finally has the gold he wanted, but if Dragunov comes looking for it, his first major title defense could turn into one hell of a fight.
Do you think Ilja Dragunov should be Tommaso Ciampa’s first major challenger for the AEW National Championship, or should AEW take the title in a different direction? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
