Johnny Gargano’s career hit a high point in 2025, as he and his tag team partner Tommaso Ciampa emerged as key figures in WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown tag team division. Together, they engaged in intense rivalries with teams like the Motor City Machine Guns and the Street Profits and held the WWE Tag Team Championship for an impressive 98 days. However, 2026 has brought significant setbacks, including Ciampa’s departure from WWE to join AEW and immediately capturing the AEW TNT Championship. Meanwhile, Gargano suffered a demoralizing loss to Axiom, who reclaimed his mask, and this defeat seems to have had a noticeable effect on Gargano’s demeanor and performance on SmackDown.
Returning to NXT Could Boost Gargano’s Career and Morale
Fans often see Johnny Gargano as the very embodiment of NXT, due to his many accomplishments during the brand’s Black & Gold Era. His credentials include being a former NXT Champion, a three-time NXT North American Champion, and once holding the NXT Tag Team Championship alongside Ciampa. These achievements made him the first-ever NXT Triple Crown Champion, a title shared only with Adam Cole. Gargano’s classic matches with Ciampa remain highlights for many supporters. Given that his former tag partner is no longer in WWE and his singles career is currently at a low point, a return to NXT offers a promising path for him to reinvent himself, just as others have successfully done before him.
The Importance of Experienced Wrestlers in NXT’s Current Landscape
NXT’s roster has undergone a substantial reshuffle, with several established talents like Je’Von Evans, Oba Femi, and Trick Williams advancing to the main roster recently, followed by Joe Hendry and Ricky Saints. Additionally, numerous wrestlers from Evolve, such as Keanu Carver, Sean Legacy, and the Vanity Project, have joined NXT’s ranks, bringing youthful energy but also highlighting a gap in veteran presence. Having a seasoned wrestler like Gargano back would provide essential guidance to these emerging stars. With two decades of experience, Gargano can serve both as a skilled competitor and a mentor, much like current developmental coaches Lince Dorado and Timothy Thatcher.
Gargano’s Return to NXT Could Re-Energize Both Him and the Brand
Since his WWE comeback in mid-2022, Johnny Gargano enjoyed a solid singles run that culminated in reuniting with Ciampa to reform DIY. Together, they held the WWE Tag Team Championship twice, totaling 126 days, competing against some of the top tag teams in the company. But Ciampa’s exit and Gargano’s diminished motivation to perform on SmackDown signal a need for change. Returning to NXT—the platform where he initially rose to prominence—could be the solution. NXT’s men’s division has transformed dramatically with recent call-ups and new champions, resulting in a younger lineup that would benefit from veterans’ leadership, especially with major events like Stand & Deliver approaching. Gargano’s presence could provide the renewed energy and experience necessary to reinvigorate the brand, while giving him a fresh start to rebuild his career momentum.
