Every WWE Release Of 2021 - Where Are They Now? (Five Years Later)
3. Johnny Gargano
Then: WWE wrote Johnny Gargano off NXT screens with a brutal attack by Grayson Waller in December 2021. At the time, some reckoned that'd lead to a hasty comeback for 'Johnny Wrestling' so he could avenge the beating, but he was genuinely finishing up.
Those who had enjoyed his years of service on the third brand wondered aloud what it might've been like to see Gargano on Raw or SmackDown full-time. They'd soon get to find out.
Now: Johnny returned on the 22 August 2022 Raw and launched into some beef with Austin Theory, The Miz and others. Something felt off though. It was hard to put one's finger on it, but Gargano just never felt like he truly belonged as a singles babyface on the main roster.
In late-2023, WWE put things right by reuniting Gargano with his old DIY partner Tommaso Ciampa. They were gold together again despite never being the focal point of either tag ranks on Mondays or Fridays. However, DIY did get 2 runs as tag champs in both July 2024 and between December 2024-March 2025. Neither reign proved special, but at least they got the nod.
Ciampa has since departed WWE, which has left Gargano and his wife Candice LeRae to sell Johnny's depression over losing his pal and going on a losing streak. The less said about a woeful feud over Axiom's mask the better though - that was going nowhere, and it didn't make much sense in the first place.
Gargano must be hoping something good comes of this depressed state gimmick.