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Gargano – known as the Johnny Wrestling – revealed some grapplers are wanting to stay on the so-called third brand rather than join the main brands of WWE.

NXT is currently undergoing a critically acclaimed renaissance as the show gains momentum with stars like Gargano, the reigning NXT champ Tommaso Ciampa, the Undisputed Era, Velveteen Dream and Ricochet.

The show on Wednesday nights is exclusive to the WWE Network, but is beloved by wrestling fans for its more traditional and harder hitting take on wrestling.

Gargano revealed to Daily Star Online he would not trade “anything in the world” to leave NXT.

Johnny Wrestling was speaking to Daily Star Online at the WWE Performance Centre in Florida at the exclusive launch event for new video game WWE 2K19.

When asked if wrestlers want to stay in NXT, Gargano told Daily Star Online: “I do not see why not.

“Everyone’s dream – and mine too – is to wrestle at WrestleMania, but right now NXT is such a special place.

“You have guys like me who have been wrestling around the world for ten years whose goal was to get here, and now we are all here tighter.

“We are focused on building something wrestling fans can be proud of, and we are building it together.”

(Image: WWE)

Gargano has been involved in NXT for the past three years, originally debuting as part of tag team DIY with his now arch nemesis Ciampa.

He has risen from the bottom of the card to one of the brand’s top stars, but the 5ft 10in, 199lb grappler has yet to capture the NXT Championship.

The star spent over a decade on independent scene, and even made a one-off appearance for WWE back in 2007 as comedy character Cedrick Von Hauusen.

NXT is based out of Full Sail University in Florida, and works full-time with training school the WWE Performance Centre where wrestlers can go and hone their skills and fitness.

(Image: WWE) (Image: WWE)

Gargano said: “Here you are always in an environment surrounded by people who love what we do, so you never lose that passion.

“You walk in this building, you see the rings, you see the coaches and you just feel that energy as soon as you walk in.

“It is so special, and I would not trade it for anything in the world.

“Everyone always talks to me about when I am going to the main roster, but I love NXT. And thats not a company answer, I genuinely love it and I very proud of it.”

(Image: WWE)

Known for his brutal submission hold the Gargano Escape, he is famed for his highly technical and fast paced in-ring style.

He is currently coming off a loss to NXT rising star the Velveteen Dream after once again failing to capture the NXT Championship for Ciampa.

Gargano is also a suspect in the ongoing NXT mystery of who attacked Aleister Black, knocking him out of a championship match at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn IV.

Daily Star Online previously revealed AJ Styles feared he would never get to WWE.

WWE 2K19 is due to release on October 9 on Xbox One and PlayStation 4.