KEY POINTS

  • Johnny Gargano dropped a telling hint of his departure prior to NXT WarGames 2021
  • The first-ever NXT Triple Crown champion also had several nods to his time with the company during the event
  • Gargano revealed after the match that he would be explaining everything on the December 7 episode of NXT 

Johnny Gargano may have dropped a definitive hint regarding his future a few hours before the start of NXT WarGames 2021.

Gargano, alongside fellow NXT cornerstone Tommaso Ciampa, dropped a 22-second video on his Twitter account that harkened back to their days as a tag team.

The “Glorious Bomb” videos that Gargano and Ciampa made back in 2016 were a means to have their name be talked about on the mainstream as they sought to stand out from the wealth of talent on NXT.

Featuring the then recently-signed Robert (“Bobby” at the time) Roode, Gargano and Ciampa were trying to catch him in random moments whenever they were together while playing his now-iconic theme song, with Roode casually nodding in approvement of their antics.

Gargano’s contract was reportedly set to end last December 3 but had signed a one-week extension that would ensure he can compete at NXT WarGames.

It was believed that his loss to reigning NXT North American champion Carmelo Hayes in late November would spell the end of his time with the company.

During the WarGames event, Gargano pulled on the heartstrings of his fans for what seemed to be the last time as he wore an amalgamation of his past NXT Takeover gears, with his singles theme “Rebel Heart” blaring over the speakers.

Many onlookers noted that Gargano was silently saying his last farewells to the crowd that became so invested in him with the way he took a deep breath on the entrance ramp.

However, it can also be interpreted as Gargano deeply considering whether he would re-sign instead of departing, thanks to prior information from renowned pro wrestling insider Dave Meltzer.

Ciampa and Gargano led the old guard of Team Black & Gold alongside Pete Dunne and LA Knight in a losing effort against the new kids on the block of NXT 2.0 featuring Hayes, Grayson Waller, Tony D’Angelo and budding star Bron Breakker.

The tribute to the fans continued during the WarGames match as Ciampa and Gargano pulled off tag team maneuvers and even their combo finisher "Meet in the Middle" on Breakker.

After the show went off the air, pro wrestling reporter Sam Roberts captured a video of Gargano sitting on the top rope and speaking to the crowd as they showered him with love and appreciation.

Gargano then confirmed that he would be appearing at the December 7 episode of NXT to explain everything, leading many to think that he might actually be staying after all.

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