KEY POINTS

  • NXT cornerstone Johnny Gargano is reportedly a free agent
  • Gargano confirmed that he would be going on paternity leave
  • Gargano dropped hints earlier this week that he would be leaving WWE

It is truly an end of an era in NXT as the brand’s major cornerstone in Johnny Gargano is set to go wherever his heart desires after he and WWE failed to come to terms on an extension.

Pro wrestling insider Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful broke the news via social media, revealing that WWE did its best to convince Gargano to re-sign.

Gargano’s WWE departure is not as shocking as many think it to be as there have been major hints that he would not be returning to the company over the past weeks.

The first telling hint of the Cleveland native opting not to re-sign with the company happened in his triple threat match for the NXT North American Title on an episode of NXT 2.0.

Reigning champion Carmelo Hayes hit his finisher on Gargano and subsequently pinned him to retain his title, which renowned insider Dave Meltzer took as a sign that the NXT standout was leaning towards a departure.

Gargano’s original contract was set to expire last Friday, December 3, but reports emerged that he had signed a one-week contract in order to fulfill his appearance at NXT WarGames this past Sunday, December 5.

Prior to the event, Gargano dropped hints that it would be his last in-ring appearance as he made a callback video with longtime tag team partner and NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa.

Gargano upped the ante on his departure by tugging on the heartstrings of his fans when he wore gear that referenced his past NXT TakeOver matches, while his singles theme, “Rebel Heart,” played on the speakers.

After the event, he promised that he would clear things up on the next episode of NXT 2.0, which was set for Tuesday, December 7.

To close out NXT 2.0, the 34-year-old poured out his heart to the fans and confirmed that he would be stepping away from the ring as his wife, Candice LeRae, will be giving birth to their child in February 2022.

Fans at the WWE Performance Center captured photos and videos of Gargano being consoled by fellow NXT cornerstones Kyle O’Reilly and Ciampa, while WWE legend and NXT producer Shawn Michaels greeted him at the entrance ramp a few moments later.

Sapp has since confirmed Gargano's free-agent status via Twitter.

RELATED STORIES