5-Time Champion Set To Join Major Promotion After WWE Exit

A top WWE star recently confirmed their departure from the company.

On January 21, Tommaso Ciampa uploaded a post on X about the same while announcing his availability for bookings across other promotions.

With popular businesses like AEW and TNA operating alongside the World Wrestling Entertainment, fans appear to believe that he may be headed to one of these companies.

However, industry insider Dave Meltzer revealed a different destination for the former WWE Champion.

On a recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Meltzer reported that Ciampa may be headed to New Japan Pro Wrestling. He also wrote about why the 40-year-old may not end up in AEW, which has been a popular stop for various former WWE talents.

He’d fit in style wise with AEW but AEW has such a large roster filled with top talent so it’s a tough place to break through. The fact he’s pushing indie bookings would seem to indicate he didn’t leave for AEW and a deal there, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see such a deal happen given Tony Khan signing so many people and he’s a strong in-ring wrestler. [H/T: Ringside News]

Ciampa is a former 2-time NXT Champion and a one-time NXT Tag Team Champion. He has also held the tag titles on the main roster with Johnny Gargano across two stints.

Johnny Gargano Loses Again On WWE SmackDown

Johnny Gargano competed in a singles match on the January 23 edition of SmackDown against Nathan Frazer of Axiom.

They have been feuding for several months, even when Tommaso Ciampa was around.

While Gargano has achieved success in singles competition, he is primarily known for his tag matches with Ciampa. Gargano’s wife, Candice LeRae, continues to be by his side during his matches.

In the closing minutes of their bout, Gargano seemed to have the upper hand until Axiom distracted him by putting his mask, which LeRae and Gargano had stolen, around her head.

As Gargano came to the aid of his wife, Frazer rolled him up for the win.

Also read: Tommaso Ciampa’s Tag Partner Breaks Silence On WWE Departure With Heartbreaking Post