Johnny Gargano Shares Throwback Photo With WWE Hall Of Famer

WWE NXT star Johnny Gargano recently took to Twitter and shared a throwback photo of himself meeting Hall Of Famer Edge. The photo was taken in 2004 and Gargano dug it up from a recent visit to his mom’s house. Check out the photo of Edge and Gargano from the 2004 meet-and-greet below:

Hey @EdgeRatedR,

Remember on the @EandCPod when I said that the first time we met was backstage at an indy show in 2015?..

A trip to my Mom's house jogged my memory. That totally wasn't the first time we met..

This was 2004! ? pic.twitter.com/SmjNNJ7KuW

— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) July 3, 2018

David Arquette Shows Support For James Ellsworth

Former WCW World Heavyweight Champion David Arquette seems to be a supporter of WWE SmackDown Live star James Ellsworth. Arquette has recently returned to the professional wrestling world and has been a lot more vocal lately.

Ellsworth posted the following photo of Arquette posing with an Ellsworth action figure he seems to have just purchased:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkwPSU2BK7y/?utm_source=ig_embed

First Match Booked

The first match for next week’s episode of WWE NXT on the WWE Network has been officially announced by NXT General Manager William Regal, who revealed that EC3 vs. Johnny Gargano in a singles match would take place.

WWE taped the next week’s edition of NXT on Thursday, June 21, 2018, from Winter Park, FL at the Full Sail University. Regal wrote the following:

“.@JohnnyGargano needs to move on from @ProjectCiampa, so next week he’ll be facing someone who demands the main event spotlight, the top 1% @therealec3. #WWENXT.”

.@JohnnyGargano needs to move on from @ProjectCiampa, so next week he’ll be facing someone who demands the main event spotlight, the top 1% @therealec3. #WWENXT

— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) June 28, 2018

Main Event Program Begins

WWE officials have started the next program for NXT Champion Aleister Black on this week’s episode of NXT as Black was doing a promo in the ring before being interrupted by Tommaso Ciampa.

It appears that these two superstars will compete for the gold at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV during WWE SummerSlam weekend.

What are your thoughts on Black feuding with Ciampa? Sound off in the comment section.

NXT will present a taped show from Full Sail University tonight. The brand is building towards the upcoming Takeover event in 10 days from Chicago’s All-State Arena.

4 matches have been confirmed already for Takeover but more could be announced on tonight’s show.

NXT 6/6/18 Preview

Tommaso Ciampa Addresses His Street Fight with Johnny Gargano

• At Takeover Chicago the epic rivalry between Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano will continue. They will meet in a street fight in Chicago in a match which might finally bring this long-running blood feud to an end. Tonight, Ciampa plans to address his match at Takeover: Chicago with the fans at Full Sail University.

Nikki Cross Segment

• Last week, Nikki Cross saved Dakota Kai from a post-match beatdown by Shayna Baszler. Cross then challenged the champion to an impromptu match and won after Kai counted the 3-count. The match was unofficial, of course, and Cross did not actually win the championship.
• The NXT Women’s Championship still doesn’t have an official match at Takeover: Chicago, perhaps Cross’ segment tonight could lead to such a match being confirmed.

Roderick Strong vs Danny Burch

• Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch will challenge the Undisputed Era at Takeover: Chicago for the NXT tag-team championships. This week, Danny Burch will face Roderick Strong in one-on-one action. Burch scored the win for his team (with Lorcan and Pete Dunne) over the 3 healthy members of Undisputed Era (O’Reilly, Strong, and Cole) recently on NXT.

Kairi Sane vs Lacey Evans

• Evans pulled off a huge upset the last time these two met in single’s action back in May. Sane had defeated Evans back in April, however. As the two are 1-and-1 with each other, this match here will be the rubber match. The winner likely moves into the title picture following Takeover: Chicago and the loser does not.

Matches Already Confirmed for Takeover: Chicago:

1. NXT Tag Team Championships
   Undisputed Era (c) vs Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch
2. NXT Championship
   Aleister Black (c) vs Lars Sullivan
3. Street Fight
   Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso Ciampa
4. Ricochet vs Velveteen Dream

WWE NXT Superstar Johnny Gargano was recently interviewed on the In This Corner podcast to talk about several professional wrestling topics. Gargano was asked about the comparisons between Tommaso Ciampa turning on him to Shawn Michaels turning on Marty Jannetty in the “Barber Shop Window” segment:

“That’s crazy you say that. As a part of my childhood, ‘Barber Shop Window’ was such a huge, monumental moment. Do I think about things that way? I am one of those people that I do something, and then years down the line I’m like ‘oh that was pretty cool!’ When I’m in the moment, I don’t think it’s special.

“I don’t think it’s probably even good. I’m not a fan of any of my own matches, my own work; I’m my own worst critic, but when people say that to me, it’s wild. All of this is still so—I’ve been wrestling for over 13 years—all of this is still so new to me. Coming around [Wrestlemania] Axxess and seeing The Undertaker, Randy Orton and Triple H, and Shawn Michaels, and then there’s a picture of me hanging up with them?

“That doesn’t make sense to me at all! Little Johnny Gargano, like little eight year old Johnny Gargano, he should be here as a fan, but I’m here as a performer. It’s mindblowing. That stuff isn’t lost on me.”

Gargano is one of the most popular and beloved stars on NXT right now. When asked what he attributes this to, Gargano responded by saying he’s simply being himself:

“I’m just real. I’m me. There’s nothing fake about anything I say or anything I do. I think about me as I know what it’s like to be a wrestling fan. I remember the little things, I remember things that as a fan would make me react, would make me go ‘oh, that’s really cool.’ That’s why whenever I see fans waiting at airports or fans waiting outside, I always make sure to go up and say hi to them.

“I know as a fan that would have meant the world to me. I think—I’m an undersized guy, undersized for this business—people see me and they see the ultimate underdog. I think it helps that I’ve been wrestling for thirteen years. A lot of these fans, a lot of these NXT fans, have been along with me on this journey.

“They saw me when I was wrestling in front of 50 people, they saw me when I was wrestling in front of 250 people, and now they’re going to see me wrestling in front of 18,000 people. I was the guy that always dreamed of being WWE, but you’d always see him and go ‘ahh, but he’s not quite big enough, but I’d really like to see Johnny get a shot.’ Johnny got his shot, Johnny’s here, and they feel like ‘we’re going to push him through that door.’”

Photo Credit: @totaldivaseps On Twitter

Having already achieved his dream of making it to WWE, Gargano also offered some advice to current indy talents working the independent scene:

“I love independent wrestling; I always have and I always will, but I know as a child I grew up watching WWE. The moments and the memories that WWE created is what I remember the most as a wrestling fan. My dream, obviously, is to be a part of Wrestlemania, and to be a part of Wrestlemania weekend.

“Yes, you can do that, and I’ve done that multiple years on the indies, but to be here at Axxess and be a part of this company—I know I sound like a real great ‘rah rah’ company guy—this is the best company in the world. NXT has the best talent roster in the world.

“It blows my mind mind how good everyone actually is. Like I said, it’s guys like me who have been traveling the world for a very, very long time, who finally get the shot to work for this company. When I wrestled on the indies— if I could say anything to fellow indie wrestlers, guys like that who are undecided—my goal was to go the ‘Daniel Bryan’ route, the CM Punk route.

“Where you do everything you possibly could on the indies, and then when you feel like you’re fulfilled, you’ve done everything you can, then you come here. That was my goal, I felt like I accomplished a lot, I wrestled on the indies for over ten years, and now I want to be a part of this company. I can’t wait to walk around the Axxess Superstore and look at all of the merchandise; it’s just bigger than all of us and it’s so cool to be a part of.”

You can listen to Jax’s full interview on the In This Corner podcast by clicking this link here.

SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan took part in a Q&A session during WrestleMania Axxess. Bryan was asked if he had his eyes set on any of the talent in NXT as SmackDown’s GM. The crowd briefly chanted “Johnny” before Bryan answered. Below is Daniel’s response:

“I have known one person specifically for a while. There is a ton of talent in NXT, I mean the tag match that you guys just saw with Jack Gallagher, Martin Stone (Danny Burch), Tony Nese and Oney Lorcan.. I mean those guys are just so talented. There are so many people on NXT who are extremely talented.

But there is one guy I want to lose tonight because I want to steal him and that is Johnny Gargano. I am making it public, I want Johnny Gargano on SmackDown Live!”

Johnny Gargano will battle Tommaso Ciampa tonight at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. Gargano and Ciampa were once a tag team in NXT, but Tommaso betrayed Johnny last year at NXT TakeOver: Chicago.

Ciampa then missed significant time due to an injury. During that time, Gargano became a star as a singles competitor and earned a shot at the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia. Gargano came up just short in an excellent match against NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas. Ciampa returned after the match and stuck Gargano with a crutch on the entrance ramp. Gargano would get another shot at the NXT Championship on the February 21st episode of NXT. In order to be granted another shot at the title, Gargano had to put his NXT career on the line. Tommaso Ciampa interfered in the match, costing Gargano his opportunity at the NXT Championship and his career.

A month later, Johnny Gargano blended in with the crowd at Full Sail University and attacked Tommaso Ciampa while he was pacing around the ring. Ciampa asked NXT GM William Regal to do something about. Regal announced that Ciampa will face Gargano in an Unsanctioned match at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. If Ciampa wins, Gargano is gone from NXT for good. If Gargano wins the match, he will be rejoin the NXT roster.

NXT TakeOver: New Orleans airs tonight on the WWE Network at 8 PM ET. There will also be an hour long Kickoff Show before the event starts. Join us here tonight on SEScoops for live coverage of NXT TakeOver: New Orleans.

WWE NXT Superstar Johnny Gargano has interesting expectations going into his next big match under the sports entertainment company’s banner.

The bad blood between former tag team partners, Tommaso Ciampa and Gargano, started last year.

After DIY failed to regain the title in a ladder match on May 20 at NXT TakeOver: Chicago, Ciampa turned on Gargano to end their partnership.

However, NXT officials had to wait on doing a feud between the two for several months as Ciampa was placed on the sidelines due to injury.

Now, Gargano will attempt to get his revenge on his former tag team partner at the upcoming NXT TakeOver: New Orleans special as they will compete in an “unsanctioned match” at the upcoming event.

“I still remember the Tommaso Ciampa that was my best friend, but he’s not that guy anymore. He’s a snake…I still don’t understand why. It’s something that has haunted me for 10 months. It’s something that I’ve thought about time and time again. I don’t think I’ll ever understand why. We were just coming off our first main event. We didn’t win, but I thought things were going pretty well. Obviously, I was wrong.”

Gargano added, “The match with Andrade Almas didn’t go my way, but to have a match like that and for it to be rated five stars, I’m extremely confident right now. It was unanimously praised, but this match will be completely different. I’m not going for five stars with this one.”

You can read the entire interview here.

The rivalry between former tag partners, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, has spilled into several non-wrestling venues.

After Gargano was banished from NXT, he has been showing up in various places to get revenge on Ciampa. Last night, Ciampa turned his phone on to record Gargano showing up at his house.

https://twitter.com/ProjectCiampa/status/978897343058731014

Gargano also caught up with Ciampa in the WWE Performance Center parking lot recently:

https://twitter.com/ProjectCiampa/status/977645955418918913

Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso Ciampa

Gargano showed up on NXT television last week. He was in the crowd and attacked Ciampa as he was making his way around ringside.

It’s not clear if NXT commissioner William Regal will make a match between the two for Takeover: New Orleans. With Gargano officially gone from NXT, it’s not yet clear how such a match could be made.

– Currently there are only four matches confirmed for WWE NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, as of the last NXT TV taping. One thing that has yet to be confirmed is whether or not Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso Ciampa would be happening at the event as well. Gargano recently lost a match against NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas, and was forced to leave NXT as a result.

WWE accidentally posted a lineup of matches scheduled for NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, which included a yet-to-be-announced Unsanctioned Match between Gargano and Ciampa. The post was quickly taken down, but not before some screenshots could be grabbed:

WWE accidentally posted this on Facebook before immediately deleting it. pic.twitter.com/zWykr5eOp5

— AEW Enjoyer (@SoDuTw) March 10, 2018

– WWE is currently teasing a romance storyline between SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair and United States Champion Bobby Roode. The two are currently paired up together on the Mixed Match Challenge as “The Robe Warriors.” WWE posted an article teasing the romance angle between the two. Here’s an excerpt:

Charlotte Flair’s tweet leads to speculation of romance with Bobby Roode

“Later that night, The Queen tagged Roode in a tweet that included lyrics from Brandy & Monica’s “The Boy is Mine,” leaving many in the WWE Universe wondering if romance could be brewing between the two.

However, The Riott Squad were none too pleased with Roode’s meddling, and they used social media to send a warning to the United States Champion about what would happen if he stuck his nose in their business again.

Will The Glorious One’s robes be losing their luster anytime soon? Is romance in the future for he and Charlotte Flair? Tune in to SmackDown LIVE on Tuesdays at 8/7 C and find out!”

– “Free Agent” John Cena has been announced to appear at tomorrow night’s SmackDown LIVE at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California.

This announcement comes from the venue’s Twitter feed.

JUST ANNOUNCED…@JohnCena will be at STAPLES Center during Smackdown LIVE tomorrow night. Great seats still available: https://t.co/CeMiBI9xox pic.twitter.com/B8qaUcLboS

— Crypto.com Arena (@cryptocomarena) February 26, 2018

Cena is also advertised for Raw tonight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California after coming up short in last night’s Seven-Man Elimination Chamber Match. He was eliminated third by Braun Strowman.

– On last week’s episode of NXT, Johnny Gargano lost a career vs. title match to NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas. Per the stipulation, Gargano’s NXT career is over following the loss.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKxPld2eEmI&w=620&h=349]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F869wGb6Sdg&w=620&h=349]

In this message on Twitter, Gargano reflects on his time in NXT.

I've had a few days to collect my thoughts.. As I finish the last of my commitments at live events this upcoming weekend.. I just wanted to say.. #ThankYouNXT pic.twitter.com/CFLwvvthA0

— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) February 26, 2018

Despite the loss, Gargano worked NXT live events after the match aired. In the video below, Gargano formalizes his termination from NXT, but he is informed by General Manager William Regal that he will still have to attend all prior obligations at NXT events.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04tkq-bbmas&w=620&h=349]

• Where did NXT’s Jessie come from?

WWE will air a significant episode of NXT tonight. In the main event, Johnny Gargano takes on Andrade “Cien” Almas in a rematch from their well-reviewed match from Takeover: Philadelphia.

Almas’ NXT championship will be on the line but so will Gargano’s career.

Confirmed Matches for NXT Tonight

• NXT Championship Match
  Career vs. Title
  Andrade “Cien” Almas (c) vs. Johnny Gargano
  • Gargano was goaded into putting his career on the line in order to receive one more title shot against Almas.
  • Now if Gargano doesn’t when the title, he has to leave the brand.
• Nikki Cross (Sanity) vs. Vanessa Borne
  • Borne is a former Arizona Cardinals cheerleader and participated in the Mae Young Classic. She signed with WWE in April of 2016.
  • Cross has been at the top of NXT women’s division for some time. If this was MMA, you would say she is playing the gatekeeper role here for NXT women’s division. If Borne wins she graduates to contender status. If she doesn’t then she doesn’t.
• No Way Jose vs. the Velveteen Dream
  • The Dream is coming off a big win over Kassius Ohno at Takeover: Philadelphia. A single’s victory on a Takeover show is generally a sign a wrestler is moving into contender status in NXT.
  • As for No Way Jose, he hasn’t been seen on television since early January when he defeated Cesar Bonani.
  • The winner of this match probably moves into a bigger storyline leading into Takeover: New Orleans. The loser most likely does not.

– We noted before how after being rumored for a while, WWE officially announced the signing of Todd “War Beard Hanson” Smith and Raymond Rowe, collectively known as War Machine and Ricochet.

In the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it was noted that all three of these stars have signed a three-year contract with the company. While not confirmed it’s speculated that other wrestlers who reported to the performance center this week may have signed a similar deal.

– Johnny Gargano is all set to challenge Andrade “Cien” Almas at the upcoming NXT Takeover: Philadelphia event for Almas’s NXT Championship during the Royal Rumble weekend.

Prior to his match at the upcoming event, Gargano posted the following emotional message on Instagram, saying that he wants to win the title to share it with his dad:

“When I was 8 years old.. “replica belts” didn’t exist yet but I was OBSESSED with Championship Titles and being a Champion. So much so.. my Dad got this made for me as a present at a trophy shop.

My first Championship.

My Dad went in for open heart surgery on Christmas day. He’s doing everything in his power to be able to travel to Philadelphia to attend #NXTTakeOver with the rest of my family.

I’m going to do everything in my power to bring home a new Championship to share with him.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd-7cj3Fi_q/

Thanks to Mark Montalvo for texting us the following WWE NXT TV spoilers from tonight’s tapings at Center Stage in Atlanta:

January 10th Episode:

* Shayna Baszler makes her in-ring debut and defeats Dakota Kai. Baszler wins in under 1 minute via referee stoppage. Baszler attacks Kai after the match but NXT Women’s Champion Ember Moon makes the save

* Lars Sullivan defeated Lio Rush. Lars called out Killian Dain after the match and then turned his attention back to Rush. Lars destroyed Rush

* We see The Undisputed Era attacking SAnitY backstage where a steel cage structure is seen. Adam Cole and NXT Tag Team Champions Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish come to the ring to taunt SAnitY. Nikki Cross runs out for revenge but she’s held back. Aleister Black and Roderick Strong come out for a face off. NXT General Manager William Regal makes Black and Strong vs. Fish and O’Reilly for the titles

* NXT Tag Team Champions The Undisputed Era retains over Roderick Strong and Aleister Black. Adam Cole provided a distraction and brawled with Black through the crowd. They came back to the ring and Black was beat down after. Regal came out and announced Black vs. Cole in an Extreme Rules match for Takeover in Philadelphia

* NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas defeated Kassius Ohno in a non-title match

January 17th Episode:

* Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss defeated Heavy Machinery

* Lacey Evans defeated Aliyah. After the match, Evans called out Nikki Cross to the ring. Shayna Baszler came out, stares Evans down and ended up beating on Aliyah. NXT Women’s Champion Ember Moon made the save and issued a challenge to Baszler. NXT General Manager William Regal confirmed Baszler vs. Moon for Takeover in Philadelphia

* Roderick Strong defeated Fabian Aichner. After the match, Strong issued a challenge to Lars Sullivan

* Johnny Gargano comes out for a promo in the ring. He will face The Velveteen Dream next week with the winner facing NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas at Takeover in Philadelphia

* The Authors of Pain defeated The Street Profits to become the new #1 contenders for a title shot from NXT Tag Team Champions Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish at Takeover in Philadelphia

January 24th Episode:

* No Way Jose defeated Cezar Bononi

* Bianca Belair defeated indie veteran Luscious Latasha

* The Authors of Pain squashed two enhancement talents by attacking them before the bell. The match never started

* Johnny Gargano defeated The Velveteen Dream in an insanely good match. If Gargano lost, Dream would have received the NXT Title shot from Andrade “Cien” Almas at Takeover in Philadelphia. Gargano and Dream both got good pops throughout. Andrade and Zelina Vega came out to face off with Almas. End of tapings

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9bzrCasau0?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

Johnny Gargano became the new #1 contender to WWE NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas by winning a Fatal 4 Way on the final NXT episode of 2018. The other match participants were Lars Sullivan, Killian Dain and Aleister Black. Sullivan and Black remain undefeated in singles action.

Gargano will get his first big title shot at NXT “Takeover: Philly” during Royal Rumble weekend on January 27th. No other matches have been announced for Takeover as of this writing.

Above is video from tonight’s Fatal 4 Way and below is WWE’s announcement on Gargano vs. Almas:

NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Johnny Gargano

Johnny Gargano has gone from a struggling singles career to one victory away from becoming the NXT Champion. Johnny Wrestling’s NXT underdog story will reach its dramatic climax on Saturday, Jan. 27, at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia when he challenges Andrade “Cien” Almas for the NXT Championship.

Considering Gargano represents NXT’s version of Rocky Balboa, a true underdog who has come out of nowhere to find himself in a huge title showdown, there may not be a better city to host this matchup than Philadelphia, the city that was famously the backdrop for the “Rocky” movie franchise.

Gargano was never even supposed to be involved in the series of matches to determine Almas’ challenger in the first place. Yet, after learning of an injury to Velveteen Dream, General Manager William Regal inserted the talented Gargano into the fray. The former NXT Tag Team Champion — who had stumbled mightily since transitioning to singles competition — went on to defeat the highly acclaimed Kassius Ohno in a Qualifying Match before overcoming Killian Dain, Aleister Black and Lars Sullivan in a No. 1 Contender’s Fatal 4-Way Match. That’s a Knockout Artist, two monsters and a previously undefeated Superstar, for those keeping count.

Before Gargano can claim the NXT Title, he must defeat the red-hot Almas, a Superstar who has similarly gone from a struggling singles career to the top of NXT. Almas’ career resurgence can be traced in part to the arrival of his business manager Zelina Vega, who has helped El Idolo focus and, at times, even offered a helping hand.

This title match won’t be the first time these two competitors have met, with Gargano coming out on the losing side in their previous two battles. However, both clashes included timely interference from Vega. Will Almas’ fiery manager make her presence felt in this title contest? And if so, can Gargano not only overcome the extremely dangerous Almas, but also Vega’s distractions to become the new NXT Champion?

See who prevails in this storied showodwn for the NXT Championship when Andrade “Cien” Almas and Johnny Gargano battle at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, exclusively on the award-winning WWE Network.

– Below is video of new WWE Intercontinental Champion Roman Reigns talking to Mike Rome after the big win over The Miz on last night’s RAW. Reigns says he feels good about the win and was informed by Dean Ambrose that he’s now a Grand Slam Champion. Reigns says it’s no secret that he’s had a rough few months, he’s missed some time but this goes to show that if you’re passionate about something and you’re persistent about it, you can make it happen if you believe in it, no matter what gets in your way. Reigns thanks all of his supporters and says he wouldn’t have these opportunities if it weren’t for his team. Reigns indicates that he will be issuing Open Challenges soon.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cr9k6AlD3c?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

– The Bella Twins turn 34 years old today while former WCW star Jerry Flynn turns 58, WWE Hall of Famer Afa The Wild Samoan turns 75 and ECW Original Shane Douglas turns 54.

– Below is a promo for this week’s WWE NXT with the fallout from “Takeover: WarGames” and Johnny Gargano vs. WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne:

The #BruiserWeight @PeteDunneYxB defends his #UKTitle against @JohnnyGargano THIS WEDNESDAY on @WWENXT at 8/7c on @WWENetwork! #RAW pic.twitter.com/02nbCrNdY7

— WWE (@WWE) November 21, 2017

– Below is video of new WWE NXT Women’s Champion Ember Moon talking to Kayla Braxton after defeating Kairi Sane, Peyton Royce and Nikki Cross at “Takeover: WarGames” in Houston. Ember calls the win a dream come true and talks about how her hard work from the indies through NXT has paid off. Ember says this is just the beginning and she will just keep doing the same thing she’s been doing because she guarantees it will be hard to get the title off her. Ember says this is her fire and her passion, so she will continue to do what she does day in & day out.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDnGHkF4LQ0?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

– The post-Takeover NXT TV tapings will take place this Wednesday from Full Sail University. As noted, this Wednesday’s NXT TV matches were taped before Takeover: Johnny Gargano vs. WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne and Ruby Riot vs. Sonya Deville.

– The “Ab Contest” between Johnny Gargano and WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels obviously did not air at Takeover but HBK did tweet this video of their mini-segment from backstage:

Cast your vote for @JohnnyGargano or me!! #AbOff pic.twitter.com/2bjwC7rnl8

— Shawn Michaels (@ShawnMichaels) November 19, 2017

The following WWE NXT TV matches were taped tonight at the Toyota Center in Houston before “Takeover: WarGames” hit the air. These will air on NXT TV next Wednesday.

* Ruby Riot defeated Sonya Deville

* WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne retained over Johnny Gargano in a really good match

– Below is a new video with an inside look at the WWE NXT “Takeover: WarGames” main event for this Saturday night in Houston at the Toyota Center. As noted, the match will feature The Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole, Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly vs. The Authors of Pain (Akam, Rezar) & Roderick Strong vs. SAnitY’s Killian Dain with NXT Tag Team Champions Eric Young & Alexander Wolfe.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPTEG80Owe4?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

– As noted, WWE recently announced that Johnny Gargano vs. WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne would take place before Takeover at the Toyota Center. NXT General Manager William Regal announced on tonight’s show that Gargano vs. Dunne will air on next Wednesday’s NXT episode. Ruby Riot vs. Sonya Deville will also be taped before Takeover to air next Wednesday.

– Lars Sullivan remains undefeated after his match with Raul Mendoza on tonight’s NXT episode, going into his match with Kassius Ohno at Takeover on Saturday night. Below is a post-match segment with Lars and Ohno from tonight:

He may be laughing now, but will it be @LarsSWWE that gets the last laugh when he faces @KassiusOhno this Saturday in Houston? #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/5agxWaD0Jv

— WWE (@WWE) November 16, 2017

WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels will square off against Johnny Gargano at NXT Takeover: WarGames in a contest to determine which one of them has better abs.

HBK proposed they both train to see who can get in the best shape by Takeover. At the show, they’ll compare abs to determine the winner.

Michaels noted that at 52, he’s not wrestling anymore and needs something to work for.

He posted a video on Monday night explaining the challenge to Gargano:

The “Challenge” has been made!! @JohnnyGargano & I will “Face Off” at NXT War Games…sorta!! #RAW #AbOff pic.twitter.com/FG72xFyLpU

— Shawn Michaels (@ShawnMichaels) October 24, 2017

‘Johnny Wrestling’ accepted the challenge:

It's officially official. November 18th. It'll be Johnny Gargano vs Shawn Michaels… in an #AbOff? #JohnnyWrestlingVSMrWrestlemania https://t.co/iEw6UcxT4G

— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) October 24, 2017

Michaels has been working as a trainer at the WWE Performance Center and will be a special guest referee for NXT Champion Drew McIntyre’s title defense against Adam Cole at an NXT live event from San Antonio that takes place the night before.

NXT Takeover: WarGames takes place on Saturday night, November 18th from Houston, Texas during Survivor Series weekend.

FloSlam has announced that EVOLVE 58 will be available to view for free on their streaming service for one week only.

The pay per view took place during Wrestlemania weekend and featured an incredibly stacked card. You can check out the full event here.

Here is the full breakdown of matches from the event:

EVOLVE Tag Team Title Match
Drew Galloway & Johnny Gargano (w/Kota Ibushi) (c) vs. The Premier Athlete Brand (Anthony Nese & Caleb Konley) (w/Andrea & SoCal Val)

EVOLVE Title Match
Timothy Thatcher (c) vs. Matt Riddle

Singles Match
Fred Yehi vs. Marty Scurll

Singles Match
Ethan Page vs. Sami Callihan

Singles Match
Ricochet vs. TJ Perkins

Singles Match
Will Ospreay vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

Tag Team Match
Catch Point (Drew Gulak & Tracy Williams) (w/TJP) vs. Heroes Eventually Die (Chris Hero & Tommy End)

https://twitter.com/FloSlam/status/902976731446788096

James Ellworth returning to SmackDown soon

It looks like James Ellsworth will be making his return to WWE SmackDown soon. Ellsworth was suspended by SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan on July 4th. Daniel Bryan suspended Ellsworth because he would not stop interfering in Carmella’s matches. Ellsworth also took a couple of verbal shots at Daniel Bryan’s newborn daughter and Daniel Bryan didn’t take too kindly to that. Ellsworth’s suspension has now concluded and he will surely be making his return to SmackDown soon.

https://twitter.com/realellsworth/status/893320729512562688

Drew McIntyre on NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III

Triple H tweeted out the following about NXT TakeOVer: Brooklyn III that is going down at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn on August 19th:

Saturday, August 19th
LIVE from the @barclayscenter and ONLY on @WWENetwork…#NXTTakeOver: Brooklyn pic.twitter.com/93o9Drpdvi

— Triple H (@TripleH) August 2, 2017

Drew McIntyre will be challenging Bobby Roode for the NXT Championship at the main- event of the show. McIntyre responded to Triple H and stated that “10 years in America. 17 years working on a dream w/ many ups & downs. All roads have led to this destination”.

https://twitter.com/DMcIntyreWWE/status/892820674837979137

Johnny Gargano’s new theme

WWE has uploaded Johnny Gargano’s new theme entitled “Rebel Heart” on their YouTube channel and you can check it out in the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8TeeCpwkFU

Last night’s episode of NXT featured the return of Johnny Gargano. It was the first time the WWE Universe had a chance to hear from Gargano since being turned on by former tag team partner, Tommaso Ciampa.

The episode also featured the Authors of Pain defending their tag titles against Heavy Machinery.

NXT
July 12th 2017
Full Sail University

1. Aleister Black vs. Bobby Fish

• No Highlights of this match were uploaded by WWE, though a post-match interview with Bobby Fish was.
• Fish provided the most challenge for Black thus far, but in the end the dutch kickboxer hit his roundhouse head kick and picked up the win over the former ROH TV champion.

Winner: Aleister Black

2. Mae Young Classic Qualifying Match
Vanessa Borne vs. Jayme Hachey

• The Mae Young Classic gets going later today from Full Sail University. At 630pm all of the participants, including the winner of this match, will be announced on WWE’s Facebook page.
• Vanessa Borne picked up the win to move onto the MYC.

Winner: Vanessa Borne

Johnny Gargano Segment

• Johnny Gargano talked about the shock and disappointment he felt at Takeover: Chicago, when he was attacked by former teammate, Tommaso Ciampa.
• Gargano also mentioned he wants to compete at Takeover: Brooklyn, and he’s going back to being Johnny Wrestling again.

3. NXT Tag Team Championship Match
the Authors of Pain (c) vs. Heavy Machinery

• The Authors of Pain came up victorious in what was built up as the largest (in total size) match in NXT history.
• After the match however, members of Sanity appeared no on the stage and cackled as pieces of the Authors of Pain’s book fell from the ceiling.
• The commentators speculated that this was all a ploy by Sanity’s leader, Eric Young.

Winners: Authors of Pain (retain titles)

NXT tonight is a taped show from Full Sail University. The episode will feature the return of Johnny Gargano to NXT for the first time since his partner, Tommaso Ciampa, turned on him at Takeover: Chicago.

Tonight’s show will also feature an NXT tag team championship match between the Authors of Pain (c) and Heavy Machinery.

NXT Announced Segements

WWE.com previewing the NXT tag-team championship match:

“The Authors of Pain have built their NXT Tag Team Championship reign upon a foundation of brute force and physical dominance. However, against Heavy Machinery — AOP’s newly confirmed challengers tonight on NXT — Paul Ellering’s menacing monsters, for once, find themselves against opponents who can more than match their immensity.”

WWE.com Previewing Johnny Gargano’s NXT return:

“It’s been more than seven weeks since Johnny Gargano’s life was turned upside-down.

Johnny Wrestling never saw it coming when he was ruthlessly attacked by his best friend and tag team partner, Tommaso Ciampa. Just moments after Gargano & Ciampa fought valiantly for the NXT Tag Team Championship against The Authors of Pain in a Ladder Match, Ciampa viciously assaulted his #DIY partner, causing the beloved Gargano to be wheeled out of Chicago’s Allstate Arena in a stretcher and into an ambulance as the NXT Universe looked on in utter shock.

Tonight will be the first time the NXT Universe sees Gargano since the brutal assault. What kind of shape will Gargano be in, physically and mentally? Has he completely healed?

Plus, how will the betrayed former #DIY member respond to Ciampa’s explanation and rationalization for his callous actions? See what Gargano has in store for NXT and Ciampa when he returns tonight at 8/7C on the award-winning WWE Network.”

– Johnny Gargano returns to NXT television next week, his first NXT TV appearance since [former] partner Tommaso Ciampa turned on him at NXT Takeover: Chicago. It’s the start of a new chapter for Gargano, who ventures off as a singles competitor once again after a successful yet ultimately tragic run as part of the DIY tag team.

Ciampa underwent ACL surgery shortly after Takeover. As noted earlier this week, he’s now expected to be out of action until early 2018, a devastating setback for the Boston native and this feud.

46 days later..

It's time to come home. pic.twitter.com/3Ze84eSewJ

— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) July 6, 2017

– Following up on the news that IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada was backstage for Monday’s RAW from Phoenix, it turns out the “ace” of NJPW was also in attendance for SmackDown the following night. Nerdcore rapper Mega Ran, who was in the New Day’s corner for their rap battle with The Usos on SmackDown, revealed that Okada was not only backstage – but spent the entire show in the gorilla position.

Mega Ran says Okada was shaking hands with everyone before and after they hit the ring, wishing them luck and congratulating them. The top star of a rival promotion backstage at WWE TV two nights in a row is note worthy in itself. Spending the entire show in the gorilla position speaks volumes about WWE’s level of respect for the 29-year-old phenom.

Okada is under contract with New Japan for several more years and will play a key role in the promotion’s expansion into the United States. He won’t be following Balor, Nakamura, Gallows & Andersonto WWE any time soon, but we’ll see what happens a few years down the road when he eventually becomes a free agent.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWK-3khDTq6/?hl=en

Reports indicate that DIY member Tommaso Ciampa was injured at an NXT live event mere days before his tag team title match at NXT Takeover in Chicago.

Ciampa and DIY partner Gargano were in a tag team bout against Sanity when the match was stopped and the referee threw up the ‘X’ sign. Early indications point to this being a legitimate injury that comes at a terrible time for both Tommaso and Johnny Gargano.

Join us here this Saturday night for our Live Coverage of NXT Takeover: Chicago.

https://twitter.com/briantheguppie/status/865375861134020608

https://twitter.com/briantheguppie/status/865415082850697218

– Luke Gallows is celebrating his 33rd birthday today.

– The Revival vs. NXT Tag Team Champions DIY in a rematch from TakeOver: Toronto will air on next Wednesday’s episode. The winners will go on to defend against The Authors of Pain at TakeOver: San Antonio during Royal Rumble weekend.

– As reported earlier, Bobby Roode won a Fatal 4 Way last night on NXT to earn a shot against NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura in San Antonio. In the backstage video below, Roode says the win proved why he’s the face of NXT. Roode says he came to NXT for one reason and that’s to take the company to the next level. Last night’s win was just another step in getting NXT to the top and the final step will come at TakeOver when he makes the NXT Championship glorious.