Have you ever felt like someone was deliberately overlooking you, constantly diminishing your accomplishments? That's precisely what's been happening to Tommaso Ciampa in WWE, and it all revolves around one demeaning word: "jackass."
I'm Cain A. Knight, a long-time wrestling analyst for Cageside Seats since 2014, and a fan of the sport since the 80s. Let's break down this escalating feud.
Since Ilja Dragunov captured the United States Championship, he's developed an odd habit. Despite holding open challenges for his title WEEKLY, he consistently avoids facing Tommaso Ciampa, even going so far as to publicly label him a "jackass." It's a blatant disrespect that's been building tension for weeks.
And this past week on SmackDown (December 5th), the situation took an even more bizarre turn. Carmelo Hayes, seemingly joining in on the mockery, made sure to emphasize to Ciampa that he was next in line for a title shot against Dragunov. Hayes, in a particularly cheeky move, even took a moment to acknowledge Ciampa’s “Don’t Call Me A Jackass” t-shirt before, of course, calling him… well, you guessed it.
The Dragunov vs. Hayes match eventually unfolded, with WWE commentators highlighting the fact that Hayes has yet to experience championship glory on the main roster. But fate, and perhaps a certain "jackass," had other plans. Carmelo’s losing streak continued, but not in a way anyone expected. Here's where it gets controversial... Ciampa interfered in the match.
And this is the part most people miss... Dragunov, in the heat of the moment, didn't even realize that Ciampa's interference actually helped him retain his championship! It was a bizarre, almost accidental assist. But here's where the story takes another twist.
The "jackass"'s seemingly chaotic strategy actually paid off! Once Dragunov reviewed the tape and realized what Ciampa had done, he demanded that WWE official Nick Aldis book a title match between them for the following week. Talk about instant karma! After weeks of being ignored and ridiculed, Ciampa finally gets his shot at the United States Championship. But the drama doesn't end there.
Adding another layer to this already complex situation, Tama Tonga was present, delivering a menacing stare-down to Dragunov. This strongly suggests that Tonga is positioning himself as the next challenger for the US title, waiting in the wings after Ciampa gets his turn. Could this be setting up a triple threat situation down the line?
So, the question remains: Can anyone dethrone Ilja Dragunov? Will Ciampa finally silence his doubters and claim the gold? Or is Tama Tonga poised to snatch the championship from both of them?
What are your predictions, Cagesiders? Who do you think will ultimately emerge as the United States Champion? Do you think Ciampa's actions were justified, or was he simply being a sore loser? Sound off in the comments below! I want to hear your thoughts and theories on this developing storyline. And, let's be real, do you think Dragunov really wanted to fight Ciampa, or was he just avoiding him? Let's discuss!
For a full recap of all the action from SmackDown, be sure to check out our live blog right here: [https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/401781/wwe-smackdown-results-live-blog-dec-5-2025-the-last-time-is-now-tournament-final]
