Audio recorded and posted on Wrestling Inc - 06/21/18
Raj Giri: Welcome to Wrestling Inc. Today, I'm having a quick catch up with returning EBWF superstar Tomasso Ciampa. Welcome Tomasso
Ciampa: I appreciate the time Raj.
Raj: How's things at EBWF, Tomasso?
Ciampa: Better than they've been in a long while Raj. Healthy, and I'm healthy too so you're not gonna hear me complaining.
Raj: Good to hear. You say the product is the best it's been for some time. How have you found the company in the past
Ciampa: I'm not going to throw shade against the company. However... I've been with EBWF a little over a year now and, truthfully? I can't say it's been a smooth ride for me. When you're around the best wrestlers in the world finding your niche can be tough. Nobody's fault but my own. I tried the Psycho Killer thing, it was a moniker I earned elsewhere and I always made it work in those other companies. Let me ask you Raj, How can anyone compete with Jimmy Havoc on the killer front? I was fighting a losing battle there. There is a part of my personality that is sadistic but compared to Jimmy? There were times that guy went to places in his mind that I can't even fathom. He truly has a gift for the twisted. I have nothing but good things to say about the man behind the mask.
Raj: So, you gave up on the Psycho Killer ideal?
Ciampa: Kind. Of. Sometimes in this business it's better to cut bait, go away, try something different. That era of Ciampa wasn't really getting over in the way we had hoped. I was putting on wrestling clinics week in week out but I wasn't gelling with the fans, wasn't making a connection. When you're a heel who isn't getting a strong you're doing something wrong. I took a while off and came back with a religious zealot gimmick. That was working at first but I was never comfortable in the role. There's a very fine line with that sort of shtick. Too tame and it was quite dull, too extreme and you risk causing serious offense and taking things to a point where what you're doing is not entertaining. It was interesting at time but never fun. There are men and women in the history of this industry who have walked the line and made a gimmick like that work for decades. Not for me. I picked up a couple of nagging injuries not long into the gimmick and truthfully it was a blessing in disguise. They wrote me off the show for a while and now I'm confident I'm coming back with something worthwhile.
Raj: How would you describe the new iteration of the Tomasso Ciampa character?
Ciampa: Character? There isn't much of a character this time around. Upon my return I've decided to strip away any over the top characteristic. I'm just an asshole now. Believe it or not that comes naturally to me.
Raj: I'm sure anyone who keeps their eye on your twitter account has realized it's where your talent seems to be as of late.
Ciampa: Glad you're paying attention.
Raj: Moving on. Two weeks ago you made your shocking return attacking Braun Strowman. In turn that has lead to a street fight at King of the Ring. Isn't that a risky move, to debut this new attitude against a superstar with the popularity of Strowman?
Ciampa: Go big or go home, right? Time to make an impact Raj, and some of the things that are going to take place in that fight are certainly going to do make an impact! In more ways than one. Also, Braun was the guy they used to write me out, it's a natural continuation of the story line that happened after 'Mania.
Raj: What can we expect from the match?
Ciampa: In a word... Violence! Not sick, twisted innovative Jimmy Havoc-esque torture though, I'm talking brutality. Two men beating the absolute crap out of each other. It won't be to everyone's taste. This is not going to be a typical Ciampa match classic. There will be blood Raj.
Raj: Any picks for a winner in the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments?
Ciampa: Aiden English is destined for great things in this company. Then again so is Tommy End. I think whoever qualifies from that match could go on to win the whole thing, I can't be certain. The ladies, that's even more difficult to call. What I can say... Nobody will be talking about the new King or Queen.
Raj: We're just about out of time. Any final words?
Ciampa: Yeah, I plan to steal the show and as unpopular as this might make me, legit - I'm putting the entire roster on notice. Tomasso Ciampa is back. It's not going to be pretty. Discretion advised this Sunday.
Raj: Thanks for your time Tomasso Ciampa.
Part 2 - Story time.
Hours before King of the Ring begins.
Tomasso Ciampa is sat in the nose bleed seats of the Quicken Loans arena. Behind him crew members are setting up the ring and set.
Ciampa: It. Has. Come to this. I did not want this, you know? For a time. I was happy doing my thing. Putting on great matches. But it seems very few people are interested in that anymore. Sad. You asked for it. Remember that in the weeks to come. Tommy Sports Entertainment has arrived. Before we get to that I need to get something out of my system. I have my chance to get retribution on a man who has time and time again tried to ruin my career and didn't even have the decency to own up to what he'd tried to do. Braun. You brought this upon yourself. Since my first day at this company you've done nothing but disrespected me. Day. One. You threw my phone against the wall and broke it. Remember? I doubt it. I've never been significant enough to be on your radar Braun, have I? Not really. You don't even remember my EBWF debut. But I do. I was, more or less nothing to you, another guy for you to bury on your path of destruction. Time passed. I didn't forget though Braun. I always remember. You overlooked me Braun. Everyone overlooked crazy old Tomasso Ciampa.
Fast forward a little and suddenly you pop up again. I'm about to beat Pete Dunne and for no good reason you rudely interrupt and blind side us? You drove him out of this company, you almost did the same to me, why? Because you could? Because you felt like it? At this point I am nothing to you, right? Do you value the career of another man that little? How are you a role model Braun? You are the monster among men, for real? Is that your nature. You. Are truly something other than human. Despicable. I lay in a hospital bed for weeks. I watched as Jimmy Havoc got cleared, that gave me hope. The stitches on my head had healed. The sadistic wound had gone. I was ready for my return, right?
Ciampa stands.
Ciampa: WRONG! I failed the fucking impact test. You concussed me you monster. I go back to the ward. Time passes, it's my birthday. Not one card, not one call from anyone on the roster or management. Not even a tweet from a fan. This is your fault Braun. I hold you responsible for the worst days of my life. Still, I'm forgotten, nothing to you. Nothing to anyone. So I wait, I can be patient when I need to be. I get cleared to wrestle, happy days. What happened next? You know the answer to this one, right Braun? I have your attention now, right? How does it feel Braun? Is it eating you up inside that I got one over on you? It should. The record will show that you lost clean to Aiden English. Pinned clean for the first time in your EBWF career.
Stings doesn't it? I did that. Me. I was part of that. You can never take that away from me and it feels amazing. Revenge is a wonderful motivator. Had it not been for the desperation I felt, had you not inspired me like you have Braun I may have called it a day, wrestled my last match. But you do. Not. Get off that lightly. And then you did something that I approved of. You did exactly. What. I. Hoped. You would do. Challenging me to a street fight? Do you really believe that was your idea? Clearly whoever named you was correct to name you Braun. Brains are not your strong suit. Think about it, assuming you're capable. You are bigger than me, stronger, you're capable of near super human feats. Impressive. Disgusting, but impressive. How could a man of my means take you down?
Ciampa taps the side of his head indicating his brain.
Ciampa: You have been outsmarted and out played Braun. In a few short hours we face each other in a street fight. Anything goes. Anything you can think of can be used as a weapon. Anything *I* can think of. Guess which one of us is going to think of more things to use against the other! You done messed up Braun and this could well be your last mistake. You almost ended my career, I intend to go one step further. You have provoked me. Normally I'm happy to incapacitate an arm. For you I think it's only fair I make it so your whole body stops responding. You're special. Braun, Everything that happens tonight...
Ciampa shakes his head and smirks.
Ciampa: You have it all coming.
