5 Things you didn't know about Tommaso Ciampa

#2. He refuses to go to RAW or SmackDown

Tommaso Ciampa is NXT

Don't expect to see Tommaso Ciampa competing for RAW or SmackDown anytime soon, if ever at all. Tommaso Ciampa is NXT loyal and that's where he wants to stay forever. Ciampa told Lilian Garcia,

"I've fought the call up. I've fought it hard. I remember Shawn Michaels...laughing at Johnny and I, 'I've never experienced this in my life where two guys were like, 'Keep your money, I don't want it.' I won't [go to RAW or SmackDown]. I'm not kidding. I've communicated this."

While Ciampa has always expressed loyalty to the Black and Gold brand, things are now different for the 34 year old family man.

"Now, it's different. Before, I didn't want to because I really believed in NXT and wanted to ride it out. I wanted to see how far we could take it. Now it's hit a whole different level of - there is that, but I have a little one at home and my schedule is better in NXT than it would be on the road. I've had neck surgery and I'm not fricking stupid. I get that my window is smaller than it was and my bump card is ticking. If I'm doing 200 plus dates a year on the road with RAW or SmackDown, or I'm doing a manageable load of 30-50 matches in NXT - I can do 4 years of that vs what I can do on RAW and SmackDown in a year. How long can my career portfolio grow here, as opposed to going there?"

Ciampa has promised to retire, if he is ever "called up" to the "main roster."

"Now, it's become a thing where I've legitimately vocalized to them, 'If I have to to RAW or SmackDown, then I'm gonna retire and I would love to produce, or coach, or be a part of it, but there's no way I'm taking on that load and going, 'Yeah, I'll have a six month run and then call it quits.' I just won't do it, it's just not worth it to me. It's not worth it to my family."

When Lilian Garcia commended Ciampa for listening to his body, he replied, "I have to."