One Half of DIY Is Not Signing Back with WWE
On the January 2nd episode of Friday Night SmackDown, one half of the tag team DIY in Johnny Gargano, faced off against the new United States Champion, Carmelo Hayes. While Hayes retained his title, it was noticeable that the other half of DIY, Tommaso Ciampa, was not there. According to sources speaking to Bodyslam, “Ciampa’s contract is coming up, and he currently plans on finishing his time up with the company without a renewal.” This news comes as a shock to the WWE Universe, who were certain DIY would play an intricate part within the SmackDown Tag Team Division in 2026.
Ciampa's last appearance was on the December 19th episode of SmackDown, where he teamed with Gargano against Hayes and Ilja Dragunov. DIY lost, and since that loss, Gargano has been in multiple TV segments without his tag team partner. This led to speculation about what was next for this infamous tag team and if a breakup ensued. Yet, it’s still unclear whether Ciampa decided not to renew his contract because he’s signing with another promotion or if he wanted to take time off without being under contract.
During his time underneath the WWE banner, Ciampa has been a key component, especially within his time in NXT. He’s a two-time NXT Champion, a two-time WWE Tag Team Champion, and a former NXT Tag Team Champion. The 40-year-old’s feud with his tag team partner in Gargano back in NXT is some of the best work inside and outside the ring. Their matches from NXT TakeOver New Orleans, Chicago II, and Brooklyn IV are some of the craziest matches to bear witness to. In 2024, DIY won the WWE Tag Team Championships from A-Town Down Under before losing them to The Bloodline. Over the next few months, Ciampa and Gargano would slowly turn heel and would defeat The Motor City Machine Guns for their second WWE Tag Team Championship.
Without Ciampa, it’s going to be interesting with what WWE does with Gargano. Johnny Wrestling could go on to have a successful singles run of given the right chances and oppurtunities. He’s been in the United States Championship picture throughout the last month of 2025, and it could be only a matter of time before Gargano gets his shot to be a singles champion. Could Ciampa return in the latter half of 2026, or will one half of DIY sign with another promotion?
