The Painmaker returns to chaos

AEW Redemption is shaping up to be an exercise in nostalgia and rebranding. We are less than two weeks out, and the main draw for many is the bizarre intersection of Tommaso Ciampa and Chris Jericho. The announcement that Ciampa is set to adopt a unique Painmaker persona for this specific match-up feels like a fever dream pulled straight from a message board thread.

Jericho has made it clear that he views his run as similar to a long-lived rock band that refuses to retire. As reported by F4WOnline, he is aware of the social media noise regarding his constant presence on television. He seems to be leaning into the frustration, suggesting that the same people begging for his exit will eventually treat his retirement as a cultural void.

The Ciampa-Jericho friction

This match-up is not without its glaring flaws. Pairing Ciampa with a classic Jericho gimmick feels disconnected from the current momentum both men have built. Wrestling relies on logical progression, and inserting a character copycat gimmick into a high-stakes event like Redemption risks turning a serious contest into a parody showcase.

We have to ask if the storytelling is actually served here. The industry is currently buzzing with movement chatter, including recent talk about Sheamus potentially joining the AEW ranks, as noted by Claudio Castagnoli. In the middle of those high-level discussions, Jericho focusing on his own legacy and historical gimmicks feels like a detour.

Is this the right veteran move?

Jericho is clearly looking toward the new guard, having spent significant time recently praising Kyle Fletcher. He stated there is something about Fletcher that will take him to the next level, according to WrestlingNews.co. If Jericho has the eye for talent, why is he spending his current window looking backward at the Painmaker persona?

  • Ciampa brings a grounded, hard-hitting style that contrasts with Jericho's current theatrics.
  • The Painmaker persona offers enough visual noise to distract from any potential pacing issues caused by the age gap between the two.
  • A loss for Jericho here would be a significant signal that his tenure as a constant main-event presence is finally on a downward trajectory.

The match will likely hinge on whether Ciampa can force Jericho to wrestle a technical match instead of indulging in character work. If this turns into an extended cinematic-style bout to support the persona change, it will likely alienate the fans who want a straight, high-intensity wrestling contest. The reliance on old gimmicks is a safety net, not a creative leap.

My prediction? Ciampa walks away with the victory after a stiff knee strike to the face, ending the experiment in under 14 minutes. Jericho will likely cut a post-match promo about how the haters don't understand the craft, serving as a desperate bid to maintain his own relevance in an increasingly impatient market.