Johnny Gargano was regarded as the heart and soul of NXT thanks to his solid run from 2016 to 2020, but he ultimately left the company in 2021. He took a long hiatus from pro wrestling after his WWE exit and Gargano finally disclosed the reason for his extended absence.
In December 2021, as Johnny Gargano’s contract was approaching its end, he decided not to renew it. The choice was influenced by his wife Candice LeRae expecting their first child, prioritizing family over contract renewal.
While speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Johnny Gargano talked about te reason for his pro wrestling hiatus in 2022. Gargano revealed that he simply needed to be there for his family and newborn baby and that he wanted to recharge by taking a break from wrestling for a while.
”It was sad for me, because I spent so much time in NXT around those people, I saw them for almost every 7 years and I wasn’t gonna have that anymore, and that was my own choice. Because i felt to move on and needed that time to be with Candice and be with the baby and just step away from wrestling a bit and recharge.”
“I made my decision months prior [to leave NXT]. We knew the baby was coming too and I had it made up in my mind but that kind of nailed my decision home.”
Johnny Gargano made a surprise return to WWE on RAW back in August 2022 and he has been a fixture of the main roster since then.
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa saved R-Truth from The Judgment Day on this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW. Therefore, it remains to be seen how WWE will book their storyline in the coming weeks.
What do you think of what Johnny Gargano said? Do you believe his run in WWE following his hiatus has been worthwhile? Sound off in the comments section below!
Transcription by Ringside News