Waiting is the hardest part. After an immensely decorated career in NXT, the rebel heart and soul of the black and gold brand, Johnny Gargano is (potentially) moving on to greener pastures, wherever that may be. Amidst all the speculation, reports, and fantasy booking of his future, we at The Pop Break first and foremost wanted to take the time to simply say, #ThankYouJohnny.
Kriss Nunez: Motivation comes from many places and for various reasons. For some, it could be your parents, your favorite song or artist, or a painting or a poem. For me a lot of my motivation comes from my favorite movie franchise Rocky. Whether it’s Rocky himself, the big time fights, or the moments between Rocky and Adrian, I never thought that anything or anyone could make me feel as inspired as Rocky does … until I watched Johnny Gargano in NXT.
It wasn’t just one specific reason either. It was everything, the amazing matches, the awesome theme song, the epic rivalry with Tommaso Ciampa and then I started looking up interviews with him. I also had the chance to meet him a few times and they’ve honestly been some of my favorite life experiences.
Discovering Johnny also coincided with me going through a dark time in my life. It’s partially because of him that I was able to get through that dark time and make it out on the other side a better and more motivated person.
So thank you Johnny. Thank you for being a part of my favorite live wrestling event I’ve ever been to (NXT TakeOver: New York), thank you for my favorite match that I’ve ever watched live (vs Adam Cole 2 Out Of 3 Falls for the NXT Championship), thank you for being a constant motivation, and most importantly thank you for being you. Thank you for everything. Be yourself can’t be no one else (-_•) #AlwaysARebelHeart
Kimmy Sokol: If you looked up the definition of the word dedication in a dictionary, I am almost 90% certain a picture of Johnny Gargano would show up. Gargano has been the face of NXT for 2015, and it is almost weird to think of the former black and gold brand to be without the rebel heart. Gargano has been a part of many memorable things throughout his time in NXT such as his tag team with Tommaso Ciampa and proving to do it yourself, his amazing matches with Tommaso Ciampa, his feud with Adam Cole, and even finding his way to help the future of NXT.
Whatever is next for the former Johnny Takeover, it is without question how much he has made NXT what it is today. He has proven for future talent that it truly does not matter how small you are, but if your rebel heart is big enough you can accomplish almost anything.
Michael Vacchiano: I went to my first NXT house show at Convention Hall in Asbury Park, NJ about five years ago. There were plenty of big characters and personalities that WWE was prepping as their “stars of tomorrow.” But perhaps the most simple and common guy on the surface, in the best way possible, was one with no real gimmick to speak of. Because he WAS who he was in the ring. He was Johnny Gargano aka Johnny Wrestling.
Tagging on this night with longtime partner Tommaso Ciampa during their DIY days, Gargano delivered 100% of his Rebel Heart as he has done over his entire career. Johnny performed like this small venue by the Jersey Boardwalk was a sold-out WrestleMania stadium. Nothing phony or unauthentic, just an awesome professional wrestler putting on an entertaining match because of his love for the sport. Something he continued to do ever since, stealing big NXT shows in the process as Johnny Takeover.
My buddies and I hung out after the show trying to score some autographs or pics with members of the roster (as we often do haha). Yours truly got a shot with Ciampa cracking a mile-wide grin that was SO didn’t fit his in-ring demeanor. And we also got to be part of the greatest celebrity selfie moment of my life courtesy of Shinsuke Nakamura. But the above picture with Johnny was perfect because it, in a way, matched the man. No frills at all…again just kind, giving and genuine.
Johnny Genuine. Johnny Gargano. Johnny Wrestling. Good luck to you in whatever path you choose to go on. You’ve always given everything to us, the fans. This time, DIFY. Do It FOR Yourself. It’s been more than earned.
Rob Crowther: In a time where the term “four pillars” is often used in professional wrestling, it’s safe to say that Johnny Gargano has unequivocally proved himself to be one of the four of the black and gold brand. A consistent Match of the year candidate for me right here on the Pop Break, but also a guy who knew how to tell a story in and out of the ring. The kind of guy who remembered what it was like to be a fan waiting on the other side of the barrier, and always always always made time for his fans.
There’s no question that Johnny is my favorite modern day wrestler, not only for his in ring work, but for the way he inspires his fans. Having been very critical of the heel turn, Johnny proved me wrong yet again by bringing humor and creativity to The Way in which he showcased and put over younger talent. My favorite segment from his time with The Way was undoubtedly the “We Support Indi Wrestling” and “Gargano on a Piano” sketch. His moments with Ciampa, Cole, and his wife all speak for themselves.
And he was and will continue to be a MOMENTS guy. As we heard Rebel Heart for quite possibly the last time this past week, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. #ThankYouJohnny #Seeyousoon
