Despite an ongoing storyline that saw himpush for a shot at then-United States Champion Ilja Dragunov's title, Tommaso Ciampa has been absent from SmackDown since December.
Carmelo Hayes ended up winning the title over the holiday, and while Ciampa missed out on the United States Championship Open Challenge, it seemed like he might feud with Dragunov or even shift his sights to Hayes. Instead, the spotlight has been moved to Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae, as they clash with Fraxiom's Axiom.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Ciampa's continued absence from television is because he plans to leave WWE. Now, the former NXT Champion has confirmed that his time in the company is over.
"In the very near future, my contract with the WWE will officially come to an end," he wrote on Instagram. "I'd like to thank every single person who contributed to the last ten years of this incredible journey...camera crew, ring crew, hair and makeup team, seamstresses, referees, creative, producers, catering crew, commentators, ring announcers, travel department, medical team, talent reps, and anybody I may have missed."
"A very special thank you to all of the men and women who I've shared a ring and locker room with...nothing but love and respect. And I would be remiss not to give a special thank you to my black and gold family," Ciampa continued. "You will forever hold an incredibly special place in my heart. To the fans who have shown love and support over the last two decades...thank you from the bottom of my heart."
He went on to tease his in-ring future, with the 40-year-old professional wrestler suggesting he has at least a decade left before hanging up his boots.
"To my wife and daughter: you are my rock and my forever 'why.' I love you more. I spent the first decade of my career traveling the world on the independent scene. I spent the second decade of my career traveling the world with WWE. I have one decade remaining and I'm beyond excited for whatever challenges lie ahead."
I'm an incredibly lucky person, one of the few who has spent his entire adult life living out his childhood dream... and while that dream continues to evolve, I will continue to chase it," Ciampa concluded, before confirming he will be taking bookings soon.
His final WWE appearance was on the December 19 episode of SmackDown. He teamed with Gargano in a losing effort against Dragunov and Hayes, and seems a likely candidate for an eventual AEW debut.
You can read Ciampa's WWE farewell in full below.