Tommaso Ciampa's Career Told In Photos, Through The Years

Ever since Triple H took control of creative in WWE, one of the wrestlers the fans expected to have some better booking on the main roster was Tommaso Ciampa. The former NXT Champion was one of the superstars who carried the Black & Gold brand on their shoulders in the past few years, and the fans expected big things for him on the main roster. While he might've had a shaky start, he's in good hands now with Triple H at the helm.

He's been in the pro wrestling business for over 17 years and has worked his way through many promotions before finding a break in NXT. The fans are well-aware of his incredible in-ring skills, which he has showcased throughout his career. The fans have always admired his presence in the ring throughout his career and are looking forward to seeing him in bigger stages in the coming days. With that said, let's take a look at Tommaso Ciampa's career through photos taken over the years.

10 Training & Debut

Tommaso Ciampa trained under WWE Hall of Famer Killer Kowalski, who is known for training multiple successful wrestlers, including Triple H. Ciampa made his in-ring debut at the age of 19 under the name Tommy Penmanship in an Independent Wrestling Federation event in February 2005.

His initial days in IWF saw him unsuccessfully challenge Sean Royal for the IWF Junior Heavyweight Championship and lose a battle royal to determine the No.1 contender for the IWF Heavyweight Championship. From there, he started his journey in the pro-wrestling industry and competed across various independent promotions to make a name for himself.

9 Independent Promotions & Title Reigns

Tommaso Ciampa's pictures from the independent circuit

The independent promotions Tommaso Ciampa competed in throughout his initial days in the business include Chaotic Wrestling, East Coast Wrestling Association, Eastern Pro Wrestling, Defiant Pro Wrestling, and a few others. During this time, Ciampa went on to win Chaotic Wrestling's New England Championship and their Heavyweight Championship and had lengthy reigns with both titles.

He held the Chaotic Wrestling Heavyweight Championship for 259 days and defended it against the likes of Ivar of the Viking Raiders, and former NXT Wrestler Mickey Keegan before dropping it to Brian Milonas in February 2007.

8 Short WWE Run

Tommaso Ciampa first appeared on WWE television as Thomas Whitney, ESQ, one of Muhammad Hassan's lawyer's in the latter's feud against The Undertaker, in July 2005. He also competed in a few matches on episodes of Heat and Velocity before signing his first developmental contract with WWE in February 2007. He reported to Ohio Valley Wrestling and competed in a few matches before he had to take time off due to injury.

During that time, he worked under the gimmick Dr. Thomas, Anger Management Specialist, and managed Charles Evans and Bam Neely. He also competed wearing a mask under the name Prodigy before WWE released him from his contract in August 2007.

7 Return To Indies & ROH Debut

Following his WWE release, Tommaso Ciampa returned to the independent circuit. He competed for Chaotic Wrestling, World League Wrestling, ECWA, several NWA events, and Top Rope Promotions, where he became the Heavyweight Champion and held the title for an impressive 245 days.

He then made his debut for Ring of Honor in January 2011 and competed against notable wrestlers like Adam Cole, Homicide, Colt Cabana, Jay Lethal, and many more. During his time in the promotion, Ciampa went on to capture the ROH World Television Championship from Matt Taven in December 2013 and held on to it for 111 days before dropping it to Jay Lethal at the ROH Supercard Of Honor VIII event in April 2014.

6 PWG, Impact Wrestling & WWE Return

Tommaso Ciampa made several appearances for Pro Wrestling Guerilla between August 2013 and September 2016. He also competed in two matches in Impact Wrestling in July 2015 before he found his way back to WWE. Despite not signed to a contract, WWE announced Tommaso Ciampa as one of the contestants in the inaugural Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic in September 2015.

He teamed up with Johnny Gargano in the tournament but lost in the quarter-final against Baron Corbin and Rhyno. Following the tournament, he made a few appearances for NXT before signing a tier-2 contract with WWE in April 2016, which allowed him to work the independent circuit, before signing an exclusive contract with the company in September the same year.

5 DIY & Heel Turn

Tommaso Ciampa with Gargano as champions and his heel turn

After signing a full-time contract with WWE, Tommaso Ciampa reunited with Johnny Gargano and started working as a team, and unsuccessfully challenged The Revival for the NXT Tag Team Championship at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II. Working under the team name DIY, they received another opportunity against The Revival, and they managed to dethrone Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson and won the NXT Tag Team Championship at NXT TakeOver: Toronto.

Ciampa and Gargano's reign ended after 70 days, and their efforts to reclaim the title proved to be unfruitful. After their loss against The Authors of Pain in a ladder match at NXT TakeOver: Chicago, Ciampa turned heel on Gargano and ended their partnership.

4 Feud With Johnny Gargano & NXT Champion

Tommaso Ciampa having a match with Johnny Gargano and him as NXT Champion

After turning on Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa had to take some time off due to an injury. After he made his return, he went straight after his former tag team partner and attacked him with a crutch at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia.

Ciampa then cost Gargano's shot at the NXT Championship against Andrade, which led to a lengthy feud between the two superstars. They first collided in an unsanctioned match at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, where Gargano came victorious. However, Ciampa retaliated by defeating Gargano in a Chicago Street Fight at NXT TakeOver: Chicago II. Ciampa also captured the NXT Championship from Aleister Black and continued his feud with Gargano. He defeated Gargano in a Last Man Standing match at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV to put a brief halt to their rivalry.

3 Reunion With Gargano & Injury

Tommaso Ciampa with Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae

Tommaso Ciampa made his main roster debut in February 2019 alongside Johnny Gargano, Aleister Black, and Ricochet. He had a brief reunion with Gargano and defeated The Revival and The Bar on episodes of Raw and SmackDown before he had to take some time off due to a neck injury.

The injury forced WWE to cancel the plans they had for Gargano and Ciampa on the main roster. Ciampa attempted to attack Gargano after getting eliminated from the 2019 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, but Gargano saw it coming and took him out.

Following that, Ciampa had to undergo neck surgery and had to relinquish the NXT Championship. However, after Johnny Gargano defeated Adam Cole to win the vacant title at NXT TakeOver: New York, Ciampa embraced his former partner and seemingly turned babyface.

2 Return & Various Feuds

Tommaso Ciampa returned in October 2019 and feuded with The Undisputed Era, which led to him getting an NXT Championship match against Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver: Portland, but he lost after Johnny Gargano cost Ciampa the match. It resulted in a No Holds Barred match between Gargano and Ciampa on the April 8, 2019, episode of NXT, where Gargano picked up the victory after interference from Candice LeRae.

After a brief feud with Karrion Kross, Ciampa re-entered the NXT Championship picture and fought to a draw against Gargano in a 60-minute Iron Man Match. He then teamed up with Timothy Thatcher for a while and competed in the Dusty Rhodes Classic in a losing effort. Ciampa then went on to win his second NXT Championship and held it for 112 days before dropping it to Bron Breakker at New Year's Evil.

1 Main Roster Call-Up

Tommaso Ciampa lost to Tony D'Angelo at NXT Stand & Deliver 2022, in his final NXT match. He got called up to the main roster in April 2022 and aligned himself with The Miz.

He continued to appear alongside The Miz in matches and backstage segments, which sparked some fear among the fans that WWE might not use Ciampa to his full potential. But since Triple H took control, Ciampa had a good match against Bobby Lashley for the United States Championship and is looking to make an impact on Raw in the coming days.