Johnny Gargano On NXT Return: I’m Going To Close The Book On My Story In NXT My Way

Johnny Gargano wants to close the book on his story in NXT his way.

Johnny Gargano wants to close the book on his story in NXT his way.

Prior to the March 7 episode of NXT, Gargano, the first NXT Triple Crown Champion, hadn’t appeared on NXT since December 2021. The former NXT Champion made his surprising return on Tuesday night as he was revealed as Grayson Waller’s opponent at NXT Stand & Deliver.

Gargano commented on his return in a tweet. He noted that Waller was the reason his story in NXT ended on a cliffhanger in 2021; Waller attacked Gargano during his farewell on the December 7 episode, and Gargano subsequently left the company when his contract expired. “Johnny Wrestling” stated that Waller took his moment, and he waited for the right time and place to get revenge. He then vowed to shut Waller up and close the book his way at NXT Stand & Deliver. 

Because of you.. my story in @WWENXT ended on a cliffhanger 15 months ago.

You took my moment from me and I never forgot that. I waited patiently for the right time & place..

April 1st.. Wrestlemania Weekend.. I shut you up & close the book my way. #JohnnyTakeOver #OneMoreTime pic.twitter.com/YuXXhaC8iF

— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) March 8, 2023

In another tweet, Gargano looked back on his promo from his last appearance on NXT and recalled how the last thing he said was that he wanted to “”teach my son to be the best man he could be.” He then borrowed from Tommaso Ciampa by stating, “Daddy’s Home.” Gargano and Ciampa previously teamed up together as DIY in NXT, and they also had a lengthy feud.

Waller responded to Gargano’s message with a tweet of his own; he wrote that things had things since Gargano left NXT, as TakeOvers didn’t exist anymore. He claimed that, after NXT Stand & Deliver, Gargamo wouldn’t either.

Things have changed since I kicked you out. Takeover doesn’t exist anymore, and after Stand and Deliver, neither will you https://t.co/ots5tEdweH

— Grayson Waller (@GraysonWWE) March 8, 2023

Gargano returned to WWE on the August 22 episode of WWE Raw, and aside from missing a few weeks with a shoulder injury, he has been featured on the red brand ever since.

Catch up on our coverage of the March 6 episode of NXT here. 

Check out the card for NXT Stand & Deliver here.