On a recent edition of the “Insight” podcast, Johnny Gargano discussed his WWE return in 2022 after leaving in 2021, how his return was kept secret, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On having an idea his WWE return was happening: “I had an idea. I always had an idea. People ask me all the time, did you think about going to other places? Obviously, we all entertain the idea. But when I left, I always felt like I had unfinished business in WWE. And when the conversations were being had, it was one of those things where when I was a little kid growing up, I watched WWE. I dreamed of wrestling at WrestleMania. I dreamed of becoming the Intercontinental Champion. I think all these things I said in my return promo, pretty much. They’re all very real, very true. Those are very real dreams I still do have to this day and I can only do that one place. And I am very lucky to call WWE my home because if you’ve watched my last night in the company it was sad for me because I spent so much time in NXT around those people. I saw them almost every single day for almost seven years and I wasn’t gonna have that anymore. And that was my own choice because I felt like I needed to move on. And I needed that time away to be with Candice, to be with the baby. And just step away from wrestling for a bit and just recharge. But luckily everything worked out. And I think everything happens for a reason. We’re back.”
On why the return didn’t happen in Cleveland: “I just kind of felt it. It felt like that’s where the wind was blowing. And I’ve had such a great relationship with Hunter. I can’t say enough great things about Hunter and Shawn. It sounds like I’m gonna make it sound like I’m just going on and on about Hunter and Shawn, which I am, I will. I have such a great relationship with them. Like so much so that I always kept in contact with them. Even when I was gone. The day Quill was born I got a text from Hunter. I got a text from Shawn, like, unprovoked. Quill was born they reached out and said, Congratulations keep in touch. And Hunter literally said when Quill was born, I can’t wait to meet him, I’m very excited. And I literally said that day do me a favour though, when you meet him, you need to do the finger point picture okay? He said, You got it, would be my honour. So, like I said, I just enjoy them so much as human beings, I just really wanted to work with them again. And when the opportunity came up, where the world changed and everything went down Shawn reached out to me and said, Hey, are you open to coming back? And I’d say I definitely talk about it. And literally, a couple of hours later Hunter called me. Then we had a conversation and then he talked to my agent and things were in motion really, really quickly. He wanted Candice back as well. And then it is just one of those things, is Candice ready? Am I ready? And I wanted time to get ready too because I wasn’t ready to come back yet.
I needed to get in shape really, really quickly, things like that. But everything happens so fast. Because I think there was a Cleveland show. And then like two weeks later, I came back. [People asked] Why didn’t you come back in Cleveland? It’s because I wasn’t under contract. Those things are still being discussed. And luckily, it was fun to come back in Toronto, because everyone expected Cleveland. And to be able to come back in Toronto, in a building I’ve wrestled in before and have it be an absolute surprise. Like no one knew, the only people that knew I was back in the company, and I wasn’t even officially under contract yet. Terms were agreed upon and I was ready to go. But I wasn’t officially back back yet. That’s luckily the way it was kept under wraps too. The only people who knew was me, my agent, Candice and I think Hunter and maybe one other person in TR [talent relations], and that was it.”
On how his return was kept secret: “So funny too, is like people always talk about the reaction. And people are like, oh man, they should have given him a much better return. And that’s the reaction that’s awesome about it. It’s out of commercial. It’s not built up at all. Literally, the music hits. People are like wait a minute, that kind of sounds familiar. My name comes up on the Tron. They’re like, wait a minute, what’s happening, and I walk out and people are like, oh! Big Johnny Wrestling chants and things like that. And it was just such a cool moment to be able to keep that a secret and make that happen. Candice’s was also kept a secret. Like no one knew that me and Candice were at the Performance Center together training, getting her ready to come back. Having a child. So yeah, we’re incredibly lucky and incredibly cool that everything worked out the way it did.”
Johnny Gargano, one of the most beloved wrestlers in the industry, recently opened up about his WWE return in 2022 after leaving the company in 2021. In a recent episode of the “Insight” podcast, Gargano discussed how his return was kept a secret and his reasons for coming back to WWE.
Gargano revealed that he always had an idea that his WWE return was going to happen. While he entertained the idea of going to other promotions, he felt that he had unfinished business in WWE. As a child, Gargano dreamed of wrestling at WrestleMania and becoming the Intercontinental Champion. These dreams were still very real to him, and he believed that he could only achieve them in WWE.
Leaving WWE was a difficult decision for Gargano, as he had spent almost seven years in NXT and had formed strong bonds with his colleagues. However, he felt that he needed time away from wrestling to be with his wife Candice and their newborn baby. Gargano took this time to recharge and reflect on his career. Luckily, everything worked out, and he was able to make his return to WWE.
When it came to the location of his return, Gargano explained that he had a great relationship with Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Even when he was no longer with the company, they kept in contact with him. Gargano shared a heartwarming story about how Triple H reached out to congratulate him on the birth of his son and expressed his excitement to meet him. Gargano expressed his desire to work with Triple H and Shawn Michaels again, and when the opportunity arose, he didn’t hesitate to take it.
Gargano’s return was initially planned for a show in Cleveland, but due to contract negotiations still being discussed, it didn’t happen there. Instead, his return took place in Toronto, which came as a complete surprise to everyone. Only a handful of people knew about Gargano’s return, including himself, his agent, Candice, Triple H, and a few others in talent relations. Keeping the return a secret added to the excitement and surprise of the moment.
Reflecting on the reaction to his return, Gargano acknowledged that some fans felt it could have been built up more. However, he appreciated the spontaneous and genuine reaction from the crowd. The surprise element of his return made it even more special. Gargano also revealed that Candice’s return was kept a secret as well, and no one knew that they were training together at the Performance Center and preparing for her comeback.
In conclusion, Johnny Gargano’s WWE return in 2022 was a highly anticipated moment for fans. Gargano’s decision to come back was driven by his unfinished goals and dreams in WWE. The secrecy surrounding his return added to the excitement and surprise of the moment, and Gargano is grateful for the opportunity to continue his journey in WWE alongside his wife Candice. Fans can look forward to seeing what the future holds for Johnny Wrestling in the company he calls home.