Ciampa Turns Heel: Attacks Mark Briscoe on AEW Collision
Tommaso Ciampa’s run as a fan favorite in All Elite Wrestling came to an abrupt complete on , as he turned heel during an episode of AEW Collision, attacking veteran wrestler Mark Briscoe. The betrayal, which took place after a match on the show, marks a significant shift in Ciampa’s character and sets the stage for a potential feud with Briscoe.
Ciampa had been presented as a popular figure since joining AEW, a contrast to his previous character work in WWE’s NXT brand. However, recent weeks have seen a series of setbacks for the former NXT Champion. He previously held the TNT Championship, winning it from Briscoe, but subsequently lost the title to Kyle Fletcher. His struggles continued on Collision, where he was defeated by Daniel Garcia.
The turning point appeared to occur during his match against Garcia. Briscoe, serving as guest commentary, inadvertently distracted Ciampa at a crucial moment, allowing Garcia to secure the victory. Following the match, Ciampa confronted Briscoe, initially appearing to seek an explanation. The situation escalated when FTR – Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood – intervened, confronting Ciampa as well.
Briscoe unexpectedly positioned himself between Ciampa and FTR, attempting to de-escalate the situation. He then walked alongside Ciampa up the entrance ramp, creating a momentary illusion of solidarity. However, that illusion was shattered when Ciampa suddenly attacked Briscoe, throwing him into the large video wall positioned near the stage.
The attack, described as a running knee strike, echoed a similar moment from Ciampa’s past in NXT. In a storyline that captivated fans, Ciampa betrayed his tag team partner Johnny Gargano, launching a brutal assault that effectively ended their partnership. The parallel between the two incidents was striking, suggesting a deliberate callback to that infamous NXT rivalry.
The heel turn represents a complete transformation for Ciampa within AEW. Whereas his initial arrival was met with enthusiasm from fans, his recent frustrations and the events of Collision have clearly signaled a change in allegiance. The attack on Briscoe not only establishes Ciampa as a villainous figure but also lays the groundwork for a potentially intense rivalry between the two wrestlers.
The timing of this shift is particularly noteworthy as AEW prepares for Revolution 2026, with the Zero Hour pre-show set to air for free on HBO Max on . While the immediate implications for the Revolution card remain unclear, Ciampa’s heel turn undoubtedly adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming event. The attack on Briscoe, and the subsequent fallout, will likely be a central storyline in the weeks leading up to and potentially beyond Revolution.
Darby Allin also competed on the episode of Collision, defeating Clark Connors via submission after a hard-fought battle. Allin secured the victory with his signature Scorpion Death Lock. The match was characterized by a physical and aggressive style, with Connors initially dominating the contest before Allin mounted a comeback. Allin’s post-match promo referenced his “war” with the Death Riders and a previous accomplishment of reaching the summit of Mount Everest in 2025.