Johnny Gargano: Bio

Anything can happen in WWE — except Johnny Gargano giving up on his dreams.

Since starting his path to Superstardom, the man known as Johnny Wrestling has heard “no” more times than he can count. When he first broke in, he was told he was too small to be a serious contender, and he still has the rejection email he received after attending a WWE tryout in 2015, keeping it as a reminder of how far he’s come. Because make no mistake, the self-described “chubby kid from Cleveland” — who used to play-wrestle on mattresses and aspire to become the next Shawn Michaels — has come a long, long way.

Starting out as an unsigned free agent, Gargano first made his mark in NXT in a tag team with Tommaso Ciampa. The duo known as #DIY lifted NXT’s tandem division to new heights, producing classic rivalries against the likes of The Revival and AOP, as well as an impressive NXT Tag Team Title reign. After the team’s implosion in 2017, a fate brought on by Ciampa’s ruthless betrayal of Gargano, the two Superstars experienced more ups and downs than a rollercoaster ride. Yet, whether they call each other friend or foe, it’s clear Gargano and Ciampa’s journeys in WWE will be forever intertwined.

Gargano has endured crushing losses on the biggest stages, undergone crises of conscience and weathered personal hardships, only to bounce back stronger every time, even becoming the first Triple Crown Champion in NXT history. He’s also competed at more TakeOvers than any other Superstar, etched many of NXT’s all-time great matches and, above all else, remained unwaveringly loyal to those who support him. Rest assured that if you don’t quit on Johnny Gargano, he won’t quit on you.

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