10 Wrestlers Even AEW Couldn’t Sign
5. Johnny Gargano
Recent reports confirmed that those within WWE were thrilled to have the opportunity to do business with Johnny Gargano again after he'd allowed his last contract to come to an end in December 2021.
It seemed as though the feeling was mutual.
At various points in 2022, All Elite Wrestling looked to be the natural landing spot for 'Johnny Wrestling'. Numerous fellow NXT alumni had ventured towards Tony Khan's promotion, noting countless examples of botched pushes under Vince McMahon's careless concern dating back decades. Gargano fit the profile of somebody who could have fallen into similar traps, but as he enjoyed time away from the ring and with his wife Candice LeRae and their young son, the internal power shift may as well have been a red (or black-and-gold) carpet rolling towards the former NXT Champion.
His enthusiasm and loyalty has been almost immediately rewarded - Gargano has been featured prominently since re-signing with WWE and has talked glowingly both about the things he's experienced there and the dreams and ambitions he's yet to accomplish.