On NXT this week, it seemed as though both Johnny Gargano and Kyle O’Reilly were written off television. According to comments made by Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, however, there is reason to believe that both will be back in the company.
“Both of their contracts are up or will be up in a couple of days. Neither has signed,” Meltzer said. “The feeling from what I was told from people in NXT is that they believe they are going to be back.”
It was noted that both Gargano and O’Reilly are having children early next year. The belief from some in NXT is that the angles on Tuesday night were meant to write O’Reilly and Gargano off television but that they will both return later.
“Both are having children early next year. Gargano talked about it, O’Reilly it’s the same situation. The feeling is the angles were to injure them, take them out for awhile and then they would comeback.”
Meltzer noted that if they are returning in 2022, then why had they not signed new contracts with WWE?
“If that’s the case, do you let your contract just expire? If that was the case then why didn’t you just sign a new contract? I don’t know exactly what the deal is. I know that in one of the cases, one of those people was very much considering AEW but had not made that choice.”
He concluded that WWE would not have done the angle they did for Gargano if they were expecting him to show up on AEW shortly after, however.
“WWE didn’t do that thing for Johnny Gargano to have him show up next week in AEW,” Meltzer said.
Truly overwhelmed by all the love and heartfelt messages. By no means does this mean goodbye… just smell ya later. pic.twitter.com/w8xHVxkHKG
Even after last night.. I still can't put EVERYTHING I'd like to say into words right now. Just know that I appreciate all of you more than I can ever really express. Hope I made ya proud.
Shawn Michaels has been a mentor for many NXT stars that have gotten through the brand over the last few years, including Johnny Gargano and Kyle O’Reilly.
The close bond among these stars was visible when they greeted each other after this week’s episode of the show went off air.
The show ended with Gargano delivering an emotional speech about his future. After the cameras stopped rolling, Michaels came out and shared a moment with both Gargano and O’Reilly as seen below:
Both Johnny Gargano and Kyle O’Reilly’s WWE contracts expire this month. There has been a lot of speculation on what’s next for these stars.
They were brought to a SmackDown episode last month. Latest reports suggest that the officials have offered them multi-year deals to stay with the promotion.
Though like the other recent NXT departures such Adam Cole and Bobby Fish, many believe that Johnny Gargano and Kyle O’Reilly are both likely to be heading to AEW once done with their WWE obligations.
Now this emotional greeting with Shawn Michaels has added another layer to the belief that Gargano and O’Reilly are leaving and it’s only a matter of time before we see them on AEW TV.
Sunday night’s NXT War Games event may have been the final WWE PPV appearances event for both Johnny Gargano and Kyle O’Reilly.
Gargano and O’Reilly have been pillars of the developmental brand for the past several years. Their contracts were due to expire soon, with understandable speculation that they’d consider jumping to AEW along with Adam Cole, Bryan Danielson and others.
WWE has attempted to re-sign both competitors. Fightful provided an update on this situation over the weekend:
“Both have been offered multi-year deals and were brought to Smackdown a couple of weeks ago, and it has been communicated to both men that the company wants to retain their services,” wrote Sean Ross Sapp.
As of War Games, neither had re-signed with the promotion. It is being said that most people are expecting both Gargano and O’Reilly to depart the company.
Gargano spoke to the fans in attendance after War Games went off the air and promised to “tell them everything” on Tuesday’s NXT. As seen below, fans chanted, “Thank you Johnny! Please don’t go!” at the former NXT Champion.
Gargano’s contract was set to expire on December 3rd, 2021 but he signed a one-week extension recently. His contract will now expire on December 10th. Both O’Reilly and Gargano are scheduled to be on the Tuesday edition of NXT this week.
Kyle O’Reilly is also booked to face Von Wagner in a cage match on Tuesday’s NXT show.
I’ve been turned on before and I ain’t going down that road again. F that newb I’m gonna stretch him on Tuesday in the cage for even trying. https://t.co/YdC7kGqd3N
Johnny Gargano’s deal with WWE is said to be up on December 3rd, 2021. According to a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, however, WWE has made a strong offer to keep him in the company.
“Johnny Gargano has not signed a new contract, but WWE is pushing very hard for him to do so and evidently made a very strong offer for him to stay here for a long time,” wrote Dave Meltzer.
Kyle O’Reilly’s deal with the company is also believed to expire around the same time as Gargano’s. There is no news on if WWE has made a strong offer to keep him as well.
Gargano and O’Reilly worked a dark match before Smackdown recently:
Gargano has been with the company since 2015. He is a former NXT Champion, 3x North American Champion, 1x NXT Tag Team Champion and the first Triple Crown winner in NXT history. He has been a major player in NXT his entire tenure with the company.
Gargano was also awarded the “Feud of the Year” award twice back-to-back from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. In 2018, his feud with Tommaso Ciampa won the award. Then in 2019, his feud with Adam Cole did the same.
2 of NXT’s biggest stars are scheduled to be at Smackdown tonight. According to a Tweet from John Pollock of Post Wrestling, Kyle O’Reilly and Johnny Gargano are both scheduled to work a dark match on the show from the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.
“Per sources – Johnny Gargano and Kyle O’Reilly are scheduled for a dark match tonight in Evansville at the Smackdown tapings,” Pollock Tweeted.
It was reported back in September that Gargano’s contract with WWE was up on December 3rd. As for O’Reilly, earlier this month it was reported that his contract expires sometime next month as well.
Gargano first started working for WWE in 2015, with him officially signing with the promotion the following year. He is the first-ever NXT triple crown champion, having won the NXT Championship (1x), the North American title (3x) and the tag-team titles (1x with Tommaso Ciampa).
Kyle O’Reilly has been with WWE since 2017. He is a 3x NXT tag-team champion along with other members of the Undisputed Era. Along with Bobby Fish, he is also a 3x ROH World Tag Team Champion and 2x IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion in NJPW. O’Reilly is also a former ROH World Champion.
Johnny Gargano gave people something to talk about when he removed references about NXT from his Twitter profile. This created buzz as it was reported earlier that Gargano’s WWE contract expires later this year. Dave Meltzer recently provided some updates on him in the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Newsletter. He noted that the exact date for the expiry of his contract is December 3.
As for Gargano removing NXT references from his profile, Meltzer noted that the company has angles planned for the former NXT champion for future shows. Despite the outside speculations about his future with the company, nobody internally has been alerted of any status change regarding the former DIY member.
After wrestling for promotions such as Chikara, Dragon Gate, and PWG, Johnny Gargano signed with WWE back in 2015. He started his TV career for the company teaming with Tommaso Ciampa. Their team known as DIY competed in the inaugural Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament.
The NXT star evolved into a main event talent through his feud with Ciampa following their split. He was one of the pillar stars of the black and yellow brand during the Wednesday night wars. Though fans have been concerned about the future of stars of his build after the recent revamp of NXT. It would be interesting to see what decision Johnny makes about his future once his contract expires.
Johnny Gargano is either having some fun or he’s dropped a hint on his wrestling future.
Gargano has been a treat to watch on the NXT brand since 2015. From his tag team run with Tommaso Ciampa as DIY to his rivalry with Ciampa as well as his NXT Title win over Adam Cole, “Johnny Wrestling” has provided some incredible moments. With that said, there has been a lot of speculation on Gargano’s future.
Fightful Select reported that Gargano’s WWE contract expires in December. The company is expected to be in the renegotiation process soon if they haven’t already.
Gargano recently took to his Twitter account to ponder what’s next after capturing every NXT Title he’s been eligible to compete for.
While some might think this will lead to a move to the main roster, Gargano was never drafted. On top of this, Johnny Gargano has removed any mention of NXT on his Twitter bio. His WWE superstar page remains linked in the bio.
As mentioned, Gargano could very well be trolling fans. At the same time, WWE could find a way to put “Johnny Wrestling” on either Raw or SmackDown regardless of the draft results.
Stick with SEScoops for the latest on Gargano’s future with WWE as those details become available.
Johnny Gargano joins the likes of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn as notable WWE wrestlers in deciding what they’ll do about their futures in the company as their contracts are coming up soon.
Fightful Select reported today that Gargano’s contract is set to expire on December 3, 2021. It was said that sources have indicated Gargano and WWE have not entered into negotiations to extend his contract, but that WWE “expected to” in the Fall.
This is not the same situation as to Adam Cole and Pete Dunne where their contracts coming due came as a surprise. Instead, they knew this was coming.
WWE has reviewed many of the deals since the situation with wrestlers like Malakai Black who had 30-day non-competes instead of the traditional 90-day non-compete that most wrestlers are under when the company decides to end their agreement.
It was mentioned that Gargano’s deal is up roughly around the same time that Cole’s deal was supposed to be up. Thus, while WWE has yet to talk with Gargano, they will just like they had planned to do with Cole.
Gargano first started out as an enhancement talent in 2015 for WWE before he officially signed with the company in 2016. Since that time, he has held all titles available to him in NXT.
The NXT brand will be looking to make Johnny Gargano the next major heel.
PWInsider Mike Johnson reports that Gargano will be the next top heel in NXT. This report responds to former NXT champion Karrion Kross moving to the main roster and Adam Cole’s contract status.
“With Adam Cole and Karrion Kross gone, we are told the current plan is for Johnny Gargano to be positioned as the top heel for the brand,” said Johnson.
Johnny Gargano Current Situation
Gargano is currently in a storyline with his faction “The Way” and Dexter Lumus. He and Candice Lerae has tried to prevent Hartwell and Lumis from being together. PWinsider’s Billy Krotchsen shared results for upcoming NXT tapings. From the tapings, it would seem the current storyline will continue in September. However, the report revealed that he might start a feud with LA Knight.
NXT is moving in a new direction soon. With the departure of Cole and Kross, the brand has a unique opportunity for heels to become fill their role. Johnson reported that along with Gargano, Pete Dunne and Roderick Strong would have new positions within the brand. “We are told Pete Dunne, and Roderick Strong will also be main players on the heel side of things,” said Johnson.
WWE NXT Superstar Candice LeRae recently revealed that she and Johnny Gargano were expecting their first child.
Candice confirmed on Instagram that she does not plan on going on maternity leave right now, and she will stay working for NXT until the last possible minute.
“Just when I didn’t think I could possibly be happier, you all proved me wrong. My heart is so full of love and support I never expected,” Candice LeRae revealed.
Candice LeRae on Maternity Leave
“This road for me and Johnny has been long, and I’ve had days where I thought this would never happen for us. It’s hard as a woman to choose between your career you’ve wanted since childhood and growing a life inside you. There never seems to be a right time,” LeRae noted.
“I have been a wrestler for 19 years and it’s been my constant since I was a little girl. It’s my first love. It’s given me irreplaceable friends, a brother, experiences I’d have never had otherwise, the blessing of traveling the world, the ability to make an impact on people’s lives, and (last but not least) a husband.
CANDICE LERAE
“I don’t plan on being “away” until I absolutely have to”, Candice continued. “Indi clearly needs me! — And I want to be there for my locker room of girls as long as I possibly can!”
“However, I do have to take a step back from my favorite part of this business for a while- physically wrestling. But I know this little one is going to be soooo very worth every second away from the ring,” the former WWE NXT Tag Team Champion concluded.
Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano have announced that their family is about to get a little bigger. The couple revealed today that Candice is pregnant and the baby is due in February. It will be the couple’s first biological child, with all due respect to Austin Theory and Indi Hartwell.
The secret's out! Our team is getting a little bigger..
Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae were married in 2016.
Candice hasn’t wrestled since the Green American Bash on July 6th, 2021. Along with Indi Hartwell she dropped the NXT tag team championships on that show to Io Shirai and Zoey Stark. Hartwell and LeRae held the titles for 2 months after defeating Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart for them in May.
Last fall, LeRae was interviewed by Daily DDT and spoke about what she loves about being in NXT.
“I’m very biased, but I love NXT. I really love the environment, and for me, so much of it is feeling a certain way when you’re wrestling as a fan and there’s something about NXT for me that feels like home and I feel like I belong in NXT. It makes me so happy and I always feel like the talent there push me to be my best because no matter how long I’ve been doing this, I’m always trying to get better.”
WWE NXT Superstar Johnny Gargano challenged for the NXT Championship on this week’s episode of the show. Johnny Wrestling took on Karrion Kross with Samoa Joe in the role of special guest referee.
Gargano was unsuccessful in his attempt to regain the NXT Championship from Kross, following a great match that headlined the episode on USA Network. Kross and Samoa Joe went toe to toe multiple times in the match between Kross would choke Joe out after the match.
Johnny Gargano took a nasty bump into a table during the main event of the show, and Fightful Select have reported that despite this the leader of The Way is not suffering from any clear injuries.
It’s not clear what the future is for Johnny Gargano or The Way, with WWE looking at potentially moving more Superstars across the three main brands as fans begin to return to shows.
It’s very unlikely however that we will be seeing Gargano appear in the NXT title picture for quite some time, after Kross got a definitive win over the former EVOLVE star.
Since debuting on NXT, Johnny Gargano has seen his character change a few times. From his heel role in DIY to the ultimate babyface with the Undisputed Era. Now, as leader of The Way, he is seeing his character develop in a way nobody would have predicted.
Playing the role of your stereotypical sitcom dad, alongside (real-life) wife Candice LeRae and their ‘children’ Austin Theory and Indi Hartwell. The heel stable has really taken on a life of its own since forming, changing drastically from the original concept.
Talking to Ryan Satin’s on his Out of Character podcast, Gargano discussed the group’s evolution.
“When I pitched this whole faction idea, trust me, the whole sitcom family thing was not something I pitched,” Johnny explained. “It came when we filmed the Christmas special. Everyone was just kinda interacting with one another. We would joke around a lot and call Austin and Indi our kids because they kinda looked like big versions of ourselves that we made in a lab. So we would call them our kids, and it just kinda became something that kinda took off on-screen, and that just became our dynamic.”
According to Johnny Gargano, the group have really embraced the sitcom theme now, and are really pushing it to see how far they can go. Ever the professional, Gargano was eager to talk about the way the faction has allowed his ‘children’ Austin Theory and Indi Hartwell to grow and develop their skills.
For Johnny Gargano, the future is looking bright indeed, as he prepares for a chance to win his second NXT championship. Taking on Karrion Kross, Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne and Adam Cole in a Fatal-5-Way at the upcoming In Your House PPV.
Johnny Gargano is one of the biggest names on the NXT roster. The leader of The Way, he was also part of the biggest faction in NXT history with Undisputed Era. He is a three-time North American Champion, a former NXT Champion and a tag-team champion. He is the first-ever NXT triple crown champion.
His NXT legacy is cemented. Yet, there is one feud in particular that Gargano credits for building his NXT career. During an appearance on the Out of Character podcast, Johnny Gargano credited DIY versus The Revival (FTR) for starting his NXT career.
“And then obviously, our work with Revival [Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood]. I cannot say enough good things about that. That really cemented us and really kind of — that was obviously our first TakeOver. TakeOver: Brooklyn at the Barclays Center was our first one and to go in there with those guys and to have that match, I don’t think I’d be sitting here today if that match didn’t go the way it did.”
Gargano continued, “I think that match went so well, it made them realize like, ‘Oh, wait a minute, we might have something special here with these guys and obviously the rest is history. But to be able to do that in Brooklyn then have the 2-out-of-3 Falls in Toronto, we were made men from those matches.”
The two matches between DIY and The Revival introduced the NXT universe to Johnny Gargano. Since debuting, his character has evolved, his style has evolved. The sky is the limit for Gargano, and exciting times are surely ahead.
Johnny Gargano is a strong believer in WWE NXT and will come to the defense of the brand when it comes to one debate. Many people consider NXT to not be on the same level as Raw or SmackDown as it serves as a developmental system to new talent who start in WWE whether that’s a veteran wrestler or someone who hasn’t ever worked a match before.
“I have been saying for years that NXT is a viable third brand for the WWE, and I very much so mean that,” asserted Gargano. “You got RAW, you got SmackDown, you got NXT. And anyone who says NXT is developmental, anyone who says NXT is less-than, you are wrong. You are wrong.
Watch our show on Tuesday night and look at the talent we have in the locker room. I will put our talent up against anyone. I think our locker room is loaded up and ready to rock n’ roll. And when you watch a TakeOver, especially a TakeOver with a live crowd, those TakeOver’s with live crowds and that atmosphere, nothing can touch them, it is so amazing. It is something I am really proud to be a part of.”
Gargano stated the best part of TakeOver events is not knowing which match will be the main event because there is so much main event level talent on the roster to the point that any match could fit that bill.
Gargano vs. NXT Champion Karrion Kross vs. Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly vs. Pete Dunne in a fatal-5 way match will take place at the NXT TakeOver: In Your House special next Sunday.
Daniel Bryan is currently a free agent. His contract is said to have expired after he lost to Roman Reigns in a match that carried a stipulation that he would leave Smackdown if he did so. This has led to much speculation regarding where and when fans will see Bryan next.
In a recent interview with Comicbook.com, Johnny Gargano said he hopes Bryan ends up on NXT. He also mentioned that Bryan was pitcing for the two to be a team on Smackdown a few years ago.
“So (Bryan) can’t go to SmackDown anymore, so obviously, I’m in NXT. The only thing for him to do now obviously is to come down NXT,” Gargano said. “I remember back then when he was making the pitch for me to come to SmackDown, he really wanted us to be a team, which would have been amazing.”
“Obviously, I had other things going on in my life during that time with Tommaso and everything like that. And I definitely didn’t feel like I was anywhere near leaving NXT, but now obviously, I think the door should be wide open for him to come to NXT. Obviously, NXT now is a different incarnation than it was back in 2018.”
“But I think now he has the opportunity to come here and selfishly, I want him to come here just because I think the potential match-ups for him here are just so exciting. I’m able to throw my name in the ring of having the ultimate street match, I guess ultimate underdog street match in me versus Daniel Bryan,” Gargano said. “But also, you have matches with Pete Dunne, you have matches with Kushida, you have matches with Tommaso, you have matches with Cole, you have matches with Kyle O’Reilly. I think the list goes on and on and on of guys that Daniel Bryan getting in the ring with, it would be amazing to see.”
“So yes, Daniel Bryan, if you are listening to this, please come to NXT. Everyone here wants you. Everyone wants to get in the ring with you. That’d be tons of fun, man,’ Gargano added.
The ongoing storyline between Bronson Reed and Johnny Gargano for the WWE NXT North American Title continued on this week’s episode of WWE NXT as Gargano defended the title against the rising star.
It happened inside of a steel cage and took place in the main event. Throughout the match, both stars tried to climb out of the cage only for each star to stop one another. They got about 15 minutes to work. Reed won it with a splash off the top rope.
This match was set up when Reed defeated Gargano’s The Way stablemate Austin Theory three weeks ago. It marked the second time that the two stars had worked with each other for the strap as Gargano defeated Reed to retain the title at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two last month.
The first night of this special saw Reed win a number one contender’s Gauntlet Eliminator match, which set up the title match the following night.
Just last week, there was an angle shot where Gargano and Theory had attacked Reed backstage. Reed then stated Gargano is a dead man, which led to later in the night, Reed cutting a promo and announced that NXT general manager William Regal had agreed to make the match a steel cage bout.
Johnny Gargano defended the North American Title against Bronson Reed at Thursday’s WWE NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver – Night 2 event from Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center on Peacock.
The match saw Gargano work over the ribs of the big man throughout it. Somehow, Gargano hit a reverse hurricanrana at one point. After Reed missed a moonsault off the top rope, Gargano connected with his finisher for the win.
Reed earned this title match by working the Gauntlet Eliminator match on Wednesday night against Leon Ruff (first participant), Isaiah “Swerve” Scott (second participant), Cameron Grimes (fourth participant), Dexter Lumis (fifth participant) and LA Knight (final participant).
Gargano’s title reign began back on December 7, 2020 at the NXT TakeOver: WarGames special when he beat Leon Ruff and Damien Priest in a triple threat match. Ruff shockingly won the title from Gargano on NXT TV just a few weeks before this special last year after getting help from Priest distracting Gargano.
WWE holds the fallout episode from this show on NXT on Tuesday. It will be interesting to see if WWE continues this feud or goes in a different direction. Either way, they put on one heck of a match that delivered.
The first title match Johnny Gargano vs. Kushida was a memorable one.
As seen at Sunday’s (February 14, 2021) WWE NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day event in Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center on the WWE Network, Gargano defended the North American Title against Kushida.
The match saw them work a slow grappling pace as Gargano was working over the left arm of his opponent. They would do a submission spot then into a flurry of spots then slow things down again. They both worked over each other’s left arm and tried to make the other submit. Gargano hit his finisher for the win.
On the February 3rd edition of NXT, Gargano was informed of this match, but at first, he didn’t believe the news and went to question NXT General Manager William Regal about it. When he walked in, Kushida was in Regal’s office, and this led to Gargano attacking him. However, Kushida got the better of their brawl before it was broken up.
WWE holds the fallout episode from this show of NXT on Wednesday. It will be interesting to see if WWE continues this feud or goes in a different direction. Either way, they put on one heck of a match that delivered.
Johnny Gargano recently made NXT history at NXT TakeOver: WarGames. His victory at the event saw him become the brand’s first-ever three-time NXT North American Champion.
Speaking with Sportskeeda, Gargano opened up about what other goals he still has in the black-and-gold brand. For him, the first thing he wants to accomplish is a “legitimate title run.”
“For me, being the underdog ‘Johnny Wrestling’ character, I was always more about the chase than the actual title and holding it and defending it,” Gargano explained. “So now I feel like that’s the one blemish on my legacy is not being able to hold the title, not being able to defend it, not being able to have a run with it. So, I feel like that is the number one goal on my mind right now.”
Looking ahead, Gargano confessed how he also wants to help build NXT for future generations of Superstars. He noted how he wants to help propel other wrestlers to the next level as he helps to further establish the brand.
“[…] every single interview I do, I say that NXT is a viable third brand and I firmly believe that. I think the idea of ‘developmental’ needs to go aside because NXT’s roster is filled with very talented people who have been doing this for a very long time and we all have one goal and that is to take NXT where it deserves to be.”
Gargano celebrated his NXT North American Championship win during last night’s episode of NXT. Celebrations, however, were cut short thanks to Damian Priest and a returning Karrion Kross.
Leon Ruff made his first title defense on a WWE NXT TakeOver special against Johnny Gargano and Damien Priest.
It happened on Sunday at the WWE NXT TakeOver: WarGames event when a Triple Threat Match was booked with the North American Championship on the line.
The match featured Priest being featured in the big man role and dominating his opponents. Ruff did some wild spots such as being tossed through the barricade by Priest. Three people dressed up as ghost face appeared and attacked Priest, but Priest took them out.
More came down to the ring and he took them out with a dive. The finish saw a person dressed up hit Priest with a pipe and Gargano connecting with a superkick then a springboard DDT to Ruff. Austin Theory was revealed as the final ghost face.
This contest came about after Ruff shockingly won the title from Gargano on NXT TV three weeks after getting help from Priest distracting Gargano. The following week, Ruff and Gargano faced off in a rematch, but ended via disqualification when Priest punched Ruff so Gargano wouldn’t be able to win the title back.
Finally, the three-way contest was made official on last week’s NXT episode during a KO Show segment with Ruff that was interrupted by Priest and Gargano.
Former WWE, TNA and WCW personality Jim Cornette recently discussed NXT’s recent Takeover event on the Drive Thru podcast. Cornette had a number of comments regarding some of the talent on the gold brand, including NXT North American Champion Damian Priest and Johnny Gargano.
Jim Cornette would state that he is huge fan of Damian Priest, saying that he has the right look and skill to be a top guy in WWE. “They started out with one of my favourite talents in the company, Damian Priest. [He was] defending the North American Title against one of my least favourite people in the company, Johnny Sameface (Gargano).”
Jim Cornette on Johnny Gargano
“I wrote down, a new viewer: ‘why is this bad ass fighting this little teenage kid?'” Cornette would continue. “Besides the distraction from the lights? Now we’ve got to look at the the virtual fans? Also the crowd noise and everything that I was getting used to? I’m looking at this, and I’m thinking…when Damian Priest is a top guy on Raw, or SmackDown? There’s going to be footage of him getting the sh*t kicked out of him by this tiny little egg plant.”
Jim Cornette would go further, saying “when did Razor Ramon go 20 minutes on pay per view with Barry Horowitz? Because that’s exactly the situation here. You got a bigger, better looking, better worker with a top guy size, top guy promo, top guy gimmick? Against a guy who’s a very good technical worker and has no other outstanding characteristic whatsoever?”
Cornette would finish by labelling Gargano, one of NXT’s top stars, as the blandest man in wrestling. “He’s got that charisma vacuum going where he sucks charisma from those around him. Johnny Sameface: bland, boring, small, tiny white guy that executes all the moves. I love Damian Priest, I couldn’t believe he went 20 minutes getting his ass kicked by wrestling’s blandest man.”
Do you agree with Jim Cornette on Johnny Gargano and Damien Priest? Let us know in the comments
NXT Superstar Johnny Gargano has commented on the injury scare he experienced during this week’s episode. Gargano competed against former NXT UK Superstar Ridge Holland. Their bout would secure the winner a spot at NXT TakeOver: XXX’s North American Championship Ladder Match.
However, during the match, Gargano would be spiked on his head and neck following a botched power slam from Holland. Taking to Twitter, Gargano stressed how “‘All Heart’ isn’t just a catchphrase. You only lose when you quit and I got a Ladder match to win in 3 days.”
After the scary moment, both Triple H and Shawn Michaels were among those to rush to check on Gargano. When it was confirmed that Gargano could continue, the matchup was re-started. WWE edited the match to remove any sort of break after the near-miss took place. It was determined that, because Gargano was thankfully okay after being spiked, it was acceptable to air the botched power slam on television.
Johnny Gargano competes against Bronson Reed, Damian Priest, Cameron Grimes, and Velveteen Dream at NXT TakeOver: XXX. The winner will claim Keith Lee’s vacated NXT North American Championship.
NXT TakeOver: XXX takes place this Saturday from Full Sail University at Winter Park, FL, and will air on the WWE Network.
NXT Superstar Johnny Gargano has responded to a fan accusing him of being “scared” of moving to either RAW or SmackDown.
It was suggested that Gargano had achieved everything he could hope to achieve in NXT. According to the statement, Gargano wouldn’t have a successful career if he didn’t move to WWE’s red or blue brand.
Gargano replied to the accusation, wanting to directly address the idea that he is scared of WWE’s main roster. He argued how he’s in a position to work side by side with his wife, Candice LeRae. He added how he also gets to share the locker room with Superstars he has traveled the world with for years.
Gargano proceeded to explain how he has a “great relationship” with everyone in the office. Additionally, he gets to “WRESTLE” and help grow a product he truly believes in. According to Gargano, that is his definition of what success is.
Let's talk about this "scared" narrative. I get to work side by side with my Wife and guys I've traveled the world with for years. I have a great relationship with everyone in the office, get to WRESTLE and help a product I truly believe in. That's my definition of "success".
Johnny Gargano recently competed in a few unsuccessful attempts to reclaim the NXT North American Championship. He lost to Keith Lee at NXT: In Your House back on June 7. Gargano also lost a Triple Threat opportunity for the title on the June 17 episode of NXT. He went on to reclaim some momentum by defeating Isaiah Scott at NXT’s The Great American Bash Night Two.
Johnny Gargano isn’t a champion once again in WWE NXT as Keith Lee held onto the NXT North American Championship.
The former NXT Champion failed to beat Lee to win the NXT North American Championship at the WWE NXT TakeOver: In Your House in Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University on the WWE Network.
The contest featured the two stars having plenty of time to tell the story of Gargano willing to do anything to get the win including working over the eyes of the champion and outside interference by his wife, Candice LeRae. In the end, Lee picked up the win by hitting his finisher.
WWE didn’t give this feud a ton of build-up as they had a run-in a few weeks back along with Candice LeRae and Mia Yim. WWE later confirmed that Gargano would indeed challenge Lee for the title at this show back on the May 27th episode of NXT.
Lee won the North American Title Match back on the January 22nd episode of NXT on the USA Network when he beat Roderick Strong for it.
WWE holds the fallout episode from this show and match of NXT on Wednesday in Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University.
What are your thoughts on Keith Lee retaining the NXT North American Title? Was this the right call by WWE officials? Sound off in the comment section.
