Written by Jordan Mitchell

What the report claims

Multiple outlets have echoed a report originating with BodySlam indicating that Ciampa’s WWE contract is coming up and that he currently plans to finish out his time with the company without signing an extension. Coverage summarized by Newsweek notes the situation is not publicly confirmed by WWE or Ciampa, and that the reason for not renewing remains unclear.

Why fans noticed right away

The timing stands out because Ciampa has not been on WWE TV over the last two weeks, while his DIY tag team partner Johnny Gargano has continued appearing on SmackDown in segments alongside Candice LeRae. With only one half of the team featured, speculation around DIY’s status and Ciampa’s availability has quickly grown.

Ciampa’s last WWE appearance

Ciampa was last seen on the December 19 episode of SmackDown, where he teamed with Gargano in a losing effort against Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes. Since that match, Gargano has continued on-screen without him, and WWE has not provided an official storyline explanation for Ciampa’s absence.

What a possible exit could mean

Ciampa is widely viewed as one of the defining stars of the modern NXT era — a two-time NXT Champion whose intensity and long-running rivalries helped shape the brand’s identity. On the main roster, the reunion of DIY carried the promise of a fresh tag team run, making any potential departure notable for both creative plans and the SmackDown tag scene.

What happens next

At this stage, the key detail is uncertainty: the reporting does not confirm whether Ciampa is planning a move elsewhere or simply wants time away without being under contract. Until Ciampa speaks publicly — or WWE addresses his status on-screen — everything remains in the “reported” category rather than confirmed fact.