Tommaso Ciampa has credited the British independent wrestling scene with playing a major role in the rise that eventually led him to WWE.
Before becoming a cornerstone of WWE NXT and later moving to the main roster, Ciampa built his reputation through years of work on the independent circuit. He competed for prominent promotions in the United States, including Ring of Honor, Chaotic Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, while steadily developing the hard-hitting identity that made him stand out from his peers.
His schedule expanded considerably in 2014 and 2015 as European opportunities increased. Ciampa worked across the continent, including appearances for Germany's wXw, and became especially familiar to fans in the United Kingdom through promotions such as PROGRESS. Those visits were not isolated bookings. They became recurring tours over the next several years, giving Ciampa an important audience outside North America at a pivotal point in his career.
During All In weekend, Ciampa spoke warmly about that time and made clear that the connection he formed with British fans remains significant to him. While he has enjoyed major moments under the WWE banner, he pointed to PROGRESS and the wider scene as a place where his career truly gained momentum.
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“PROGRESS, yeah. Sabre Jr., and Haskins, and all the fun matches I had there. Plus, PROGRESS is Camden Town, I love Camden Town. I remember there was always a bar that everyone went to after the PROGRESS. They had a ton of ciders, and I’m a big cider guy. PROGRESS is my fondest memory, but then also like Southside and Preston, and I really owe so much to this scene for my break in wrestling. Like my first tour came probably, I would guess 2013, and it was one of those like longer three, four weeks ones did WXW and bounced all around and then it really turned into something. I got brought back so many times over the next two years. I genuinely owe so much to this scene and this fan base.”
PROGRESS Holds A Special Place In Ciampa’s Career
Ciampa’s comments reflect how closely his ascent was tied to the growth of British independent wrestling during that era. PROGRESS, based in Camden Town, developed into one of the most talked-about independent promotions in the United Kingdom. Its passionate crowds, distinct atmosphere, and willingness to showcase wrestlers from around the world helped make it an important stop for talent seeking to broaden their profile.
For Ciampa, the memories go beyond the matches themselves. His recollection of Camden Town, the post-show gathering spot, and the many cider options illustrates the communal nature of those tours. Independent wrestling careers are often built as much through long drives, repeat visits, relationships with fans, and shared locker-room experiences as they are through one major match or championship victory.
He also singled out Zack Sabre Jr. and Mark Haskins when remembering the bouts and wrestlers associated with that chapter. Both were key figures in the British scene, and Ciampa’s mention of them underlines the level of competition present during his time in the country. The independent circuit was filled with performers looking to make their names on an international level, and the environment allowed wrestlers to test themselves in front of audiences that had become known for being highly engaged and discerning.
Ciampa named Southside Wrestling Entertainment and Preston among the other places that left an impression. That detail matters because it speaks to the depth of the scene rather than reducing the experience to one promotion or one city. The wrestler described traveling extensively and returning repeatedly, which helped turn a first European tour into a meaningful part of his professional foundation.
A Crucial Stretch Before WWE
Ciampa estimated that his first tour came in 2013 and recalled it as an extended trip lasting roughly three to four weeks. During that run, he worked for wXw and moved around Europe for additional dates. At the time, he was still establishing himself as a leading independent wrestler, and the chance to work several weeks in a new market offered exposure that could not be replicated by a single overseas appearance.
The return invitations were particularly important. Ciampa said he was brought back many times over the following two years, a sign that promoters and audiences had responded to his work. Those repeated appearances gave fans an opportunity to follow his development rather than merely see him as a visiting American attraction.
By the time Ciampa signed with WWE in 2016, he had accumulated a strong body of work across the independent landscape. His experience in Ring of Honor, Chaotic Wrestling, PWG, wXw, PROGRESS, and other promotions had helped establish him as a versatile, intense performer capable of adapting to different crowds and styles. That background became a valuable asset when he entered WWE's developmental system.
In WWE, Ciampa went on to become synonymous with the black-and-gold NXT era. His work there, including his acclaimed rivalry and partnership with Johnny Gargano, elevated him into one of the brand's defining personalities. The emotional stakes and physical style of that period resonated deeply with viewers, while Ciampa's ability to portray both obsession and vulnerability gave his major programs a distinctive edge.
His journey, however, did not begin in a WWE Performance Center. It was shaped over years of independent bookings and travel, including the tours he now remembers with such appreciation. Ciampa's acknowledgement of the British scene is a reminder that many WWE careers have roots in wrestling communities far beyond the company’s own system.
The Importance Of International Independent Wrestling
The international independent circuit has long provided wrestlers with a path to expand their abilities and audience. Working in different countries requires performers to adjust to new styles, traditions, and expectations. A wrestler can learn quickly when facing unfamiliar opponents, working in venues of different sizes, and performing before fans who may only have limited prior exposure to them.
For Ciampa, the British fan base was more than a stop on the road. He said he genuinely owes a great deal to those supporters. That is a notable sentiment from a performer who has reached the highest-profile stages in modern wrestling. It recognizes that fan investment during an earlier period can create the momentum that helps a wrestler reach larger opportunities.
The comments also highlight the personal side of touring. Wrestlers often remember specific arenas and matches, but they also remember neighborhoods, restaurants, bars, travel companions, and the rituals that develop around a show. Ciampa’s affection for Camden Town and his recollection of the post-PROGRESS cider stop offer a snapshot of why certain periods remain meaningful long after a performer has moved to a much larger platform.
Ciampa’s Appreciation For The Fans Who Brought Him Back
Ciampa did not frame his European run as a one-way story of a wrestler arriving to showcase his talent. Instead, he emphasized the role played by the scene and its fans in continuing to welcome him back. That mutual relationship is central to independent wrestling, where performers frequently build their reputations one appearance at a time.
His reflections arrive as he continues his WWE career with a résumé that is already substantial. Yet the respect he has for his pre-WWE travels remains evident. Ciampa’s path through the United Kingdom and Europe helped solidify his standing before his 2016 WWE signing, and he continues to view that support as essential to receiving his break in wrestling.
For fans who watched Ciampa during those years, the acknowledgment reinforces the lasting value of those events. For newer WWE viewers, it provides further context for the journey behind the performer they see today: a journey built through independent promotions in the United States, repeated tours abroad, and an enduring bond with the British wrestling audience.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.