Tommaso Ciampa Explains AEW Heel Turn & Attack on Mark Briscoe
Tommaso Ciampa’s arrival in All Elite Wrestling was initially met with fanfare, culminating in a stunning victory over Mark Briscoe to claim the AEW TNT Championship in his debut on . However, that initial positive trajectory took a sharp turn on the episode of AEW Collision, as Ciampa shockingly turned on Briscoe following a loss to Daniel Garcia, signaling a clear heel turn and a potentially modern alliance with FTR.
The seeds of the betrayal were sown during Ciampa’s match against Garcia. Throughout the bout, Ciampa appeared visibly agitated and distracted by Briscoe’s presence at the commentary desk. The tension escalated when Garcia, during the match, approached Briscoe on the ring apron. A collision between Ciampa and Briscoe on the apron, seemingly accidental, provided Garcia with the opening he needed to secure a roll-up victory.
The aftermath of the match proved far more significant. FTR – Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler – immediately made their way to ringside, having previously expressed interest in a partnership with Ciampa. Briscoe attempted to de-escalate the situation, stepping between Ciampa and FTR in an effort to prevent a confrontation. For a fleeting moment, it appeared tensions had subsided as Ciampa and Briscoe began walking towards the backstage area together.
That calm proved illusory. On the entrance ramp, Ciampa abruptly attacked Briscoe, driving him headfirst into the video screen before delivering a devastating running knee strike. The attack bore a striking resemblance to a pivotal moment in Ciampa’s past, echoing his infamous betrayal of Johnny Gargano during their time in NXT, a move that cemented his reputation as a ruthless competitor.
Following the attack, Ciampa addressed the incident in a video posted on social media, explaining his frustration and justifying his actions. “Tonight was my chance. How do I obtain a rematch for my championship title with a loss tonight? And why the hell was he out there in the first place?” Ciampa questioned, revealing his anger over the perceived disrespect.
Ciampa continued, expressing a deep-seated frustration with how he’s been treated. “What feels good is to no longer pretend. What doesn’t feel good is the disrespect. I’m sick of it because I’m the best me! I’m the best damn wrestler alive! And nobody, not a soul, I mean nobody, gives me the respect that I deserve,” he stated emphatically.
The message culminated in a stark warning to the entire AEW roster. “So you wanna get real? Yeah, we can get real. Let’s get real. S—‘s about to get real. Everybody, everybody’s on notice. , the Psycho Killer is alive,” Ciampa declared, fully embracing a darker, more aggressive persona.
The fallout from Ciampa’s actions will continue on AEW Dynamite, where he is scheduled to team with FTR in a six-man tag team match against Mark Briscoe and The Young Bucks. This match represents a significant opportunity for Ciampa to further solidify his heel turn and demonstrate his alignment with FTR, while simultaneously continuing a feud with Briscoe that has quickly become one of the most compelling storylines in AEW.
Ciampa’s championship reign began with promise, as he expressed satisfaction with his new home in AEW, stating, “I have been told for a particularly long time, AEW is where the best professional wrestlers in the world wrestle. Well, the ‘Psycho Killer’ has been here for less than one week, and I am your TNT Champion. How about them apples?!” However, his recent actions suggest a shift in priorities, prioritizing personal validation and respect over maintaining a positive relationship with his colleagues.
The dynamic between Ciampa and FTR will be closely watched. Their initial approach to Ciampa suggests a desire for a dominant force to bolster their own ambitions. Whether this alliance will prove fruitful or ultimately crumble under the weight of Ciampa’s volatile personality remains to be seen. The upcoming tag team match on Dynamite will undoubtedly provide further insight into the stability – or lack thereof – of this burgeoning partnership.
Briscoe, meanwhile, finds himself in a precarious position. Having initially attempted to mediate the situation between Ciampa and FTR, he has now become the target of Ciampa’s aggression. His partnership with The Young Bucks offers a potential avenue for retribution, but the challenge of facing Ciampa and FTR will be a formidable one. The rivalry promises to be a defining one for all involved, with significant implications for the future of the AEW TNT Championship and the overall landscape of the promotion.