Tommaso Ciampa has officially confirmed his departure from WWE, bringing an end to a decorated decade-long tenure with the promotion.
Following weeks of speculation, the former two-time NXT Champion released a statement on Instagram on January 21, 2026, announcing that his contract is set to expire in the “very near future” and that he has chosen not to renew.
In a heartfelt farewell, Ciampa expressed gratitude to the production crews, medical staff, and his fellow performers, while offering a specific tribute to the “Black and Gold” era of NXT that defined his legacy.
“I’d like to thank every single person who contributed to the last ten years of this incredible journey… and I would be remiss not to give a special thank you to my black and gold family. You will forever hold an incredibly special place in my heart,” Ciampa wrote.
The “Sicilian Psychopath” made it clear that this move is not a retirement but a transition into the third chapter of his career. Having spent his first decade on the independent circuit and his second with WWE, Ciampa stated he is “beyond excited” for his final decade in the industry.
Most notably, he confirmed he is now open for outside work for the first time in over ten years, providing a booking email for appearances, seminars, and media projects. Ciampa’s departure marks the end of his iconic partnership with Johnny Gargano as #DIY.
While the duo captured the WWE Tag Team Championships twice on the main roster, Gargano has remained a featured singles competitor on SmackDown alongside Candice LeRae throughout the early weeks of 2026. Ciampa’s final match with the company took place on the December 19, 2025, episode of SmackDown, where he and Gargano were defeated by Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes.
WWE has yet to issue a statement on Ciampa’s release.
