Re-Booking Johnny Gargano’s Main Roster Run [Part 7]

RAW: January 30th, 2023

Promo; Austin Theory

The next night on the RAW after Royal Rumble, Austin Theory comes out to the ring. He’s looking quite.. Pissed off. He would express that, saying that Johnny Gargano screwed him out of his moment. He could have gone on to main event WrestleMania to face Roman Reigns, entering as STILL your United States champion. A winner takes all situation, all over again. This was HIS moment, to become what’s expected of him. But no, he just had to end up getting eliminated by his former mentor. Thank God for Logan Paul, for sending Gargano straight back to reality. Either way, Theory can’t help but believe that Gargano has been given chance after chance to get at the top. Every rivalry that Gargano has been, ends up outshining everything that Theory does. Seriously, Gargano came back right into a US title opportunity months after he got released from WWE. I mean, quite frankly, it all makes sense now. Gargano is just Triple H’s golden boy.

Out comes Gargano, and the WWE Universe roars in cheers. Gargano walks up to the ring, and meets Theory in the middle. Both share an intense face-to-face encounter. Gargano brings the microphone up, and tells Theory what an ungrateful bitch he is. Theory is where he’s at right now, because of the influence he had on him back in ‘The Way’ days. If it wasn’t for Gargano’s influence, Theory would be just a regular jobber. Then again, that wouldn’t have really happened since Theory is Vince’s new toy. That’s besides the point.

Gargano really is here, to challenge Theory for the title he got screwed out of. Nobody wants to see a whining little boy be champion, for much longer. Surprisingly, Theory does accept. However, the word around town is that he’ll be putting the United States championship on the line inside the Elimination Chamber against five other wrestlers. As far as he’s concerned, Gargano isn’t even qualified for a spot. Though, there are two spots left. So, how about Gargano preoccupies himself with winning the qualifier next week, than coming here to disrespect him. If Gargano REALLY wants this shot, then he’ll have to prove it against Dolph Ziggler.

RAW: February 6th, 2023

Johnny Gargano vs. Dolph Ziggler {Elimination Chamber Qualifier}

Winner: Johnny Gargano

Ziggler runs towards Gargano, who finds himself situated on the top right corner. Before Ziggler can get any move in, Gargano grabs him for a ‘snap overhead belly to belly suplex’ onto the turnbuckles! Ziggler’s body rolls towards Gargano, to set Gargano for the cover.

1…

2…

Kick out by Ziggler. What a battle both of these men have given us so far. Just truly shows how much it means for both of them to win this match, specially for Gargano. It’s all or nothing for him, to get at Theory. Gargano tries to pull Ziggler up, but Ziggler unexpectedly rolls him up for the pin.

1…

2…

Yet again another kick out! Ziggler is up first, but his back facing towards Gargano. This gives Gargano the leeway to pull him down to the mat, and roll his body to a kneeling position for the ‘listo kick.’ Ziggler falls down to the mat, as Gargano gets up and walks out to the apron. He gets the crowd behind him, while he sets up to do his finishing maneuver. Ziggler struggles to get up, so he needs to grab onto the ropes for some leverage. As if on cue, Gargano leaps up the third rope for the ‘One Final Beat,’ but ends up eating a ‘superkick’ from Ziggler! Gargano’s out. Wait though, Ziggler isn’t trying to go for the pin. Ziggler instead walks to the bottom left corner, and begins to tune up the music. He’s thinking of landing another ‘superkick.’

After a minute or so, Gargano is back to his feet. Ziggler goes towards him to seal the deal, but Gargano ducks Ziggler’s attempt. Ziggler goes towards him again, but Gargano picks him up on his shoulders. Gargano has his sights aim towards the nearest corner, so he runs towards it and launches Ziggler off of him for the ‘lawn dart!’ Ziggler collides, face first, with the second turnbuckle. Without wasting any more time, Gargano gets to Ziggler and locks him up for the ‘Gargano Escape!’ The crowd are cheering, knowing that this is it. The cheers get even lowder when Ziggler taps, and the referee calls for the bell. Gargano has secured a spot in the Elimination Chamber match!

Gargano’s celebration is cut short, when Theory attacks him from behind with the United States belt! The crowd boos him, as he stomps the heck out of Gargano. We’ve seen this way too many times before. Gargano has got nobody to help him out-

What?! Bronson Reed! Has he come out to aid Gargano? Reed makes his way inside the ring, definitely catching Theory’s attention. Reed and Theory exchange a few looks, before Reed s in on the fun of beating down Gargano! Good Lord, this is nuts. Yet, smart from Theory for making an “ally” out of a big guy like Reed. Seriously, who’s going to stop this assault-

Montez Ford! He looks to be a man on a mission, as he runs to the ring. Theory and Reed know better than to engage themselves in any brawl, so they quickly roll out towards ringside. The crowd boos them out, as Montez tends to a hurt Gargano. Things are definitely heating up amongst some of the participants for the Elimination Chamber.

RAW: February 13th, 2023

Montez Ford & Johnny Gargano vs. Austin Theory & Bronson Reed

Winner: Montez Ford & Johnny Gargano

Montez bounces off the ropes, to try to take down Reed with a clothesline. That proves to be a futile attempt, because Reed doesn’t even flinch. Both men get into a collar-and-elbow tie up. Since Reed is much stronger than Montez, it’s easy to have Montez propped on the ropes. Though, he doesn’t realize that both of them got close enough for Gargano to make the tag, which the referee sees. It seems that Reed’s strength is getting the best out of Montez, but he somehow manages to escape by delivering a headbutt. Reed backs away, just enough for Montez to hit an ‘Enziguiri.’ Reed doesn’t go down, until Gargano dives off from the middle for a ‘Slingshot Spear!’ Gargano makes the cover.

1…

2…

Theory makes the save, by stomping onto Gargano’s back! Montez gets back in the ring, and goes for a ‘dropkick.’ Theory diverts Montez’s attack, and takes advantage that Montez’s back is facing him. Theory grabs him from behind for a ‘Half Nelson Backbreaker!’ Now that Montez is out of the equation, Theory hurries to get to his corner and desperately encourages Reed to get up and tag him in. Slowly, but surely, Reed makes the tag. However, Theory remains standing on the apron. He waits for Gargano to get up so that he can also dive off the second rope for a ‘Slingshot Rolling Dropkick!’ Theory goes for the pin.

1…

2…

Gargano keeps this match alive! The fans are hyped, as they chant away for Montez and Gargano. On the other hand, Theory is LIVID. So, Theory gets up and grabs Gargano to get him into a powerbomb position. Up on his shoulders, he spins Gargano around and drops him for the ‘ATL!’ Before Theory can make the moment count, Montez comes out of nowhere to launch himself onto Theory for a ‘Flying Clothesline!’ What Montez isn’t aware of is that Reed is up on the top turnbuckle. Reed dives off of it to deliver a ‘Diving DDT’ onto Montez! The crowd can’t help but chant “Holy shit! Holy shit!”

Now that Montez is taken care of, Reed drags Theory near their corner. Reed gets out to the apron, and tags himself in. He tries to take advantage of the situation with Gargano, but Gargano is quick to roll him down for the ‘Listo Kick.’ Reed stays on his knees, while Gargano jumps over the ropes and onto the apron. This should be it. Reed slowly gets up to his feet, and Gargano bounces off the third rope and down for the ‘One Final Beat!’

1…

2…

3! Montez and Gargano get a HUGE victory, which gives them enough momentum heading into Elimination Chamber. As they celebrate, the other two participants: Seth Rollins and Damian Priest seem to have been watching this match, very closely. Of course, they did so in their respective places.

Elimination Chamber; February 18th, 2023

Montez Ford vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Bronson Reed vs. Austin Theory vs. Seth Rollins vs. Damian Priest {United States Championship Elimination Chamber Match}

Winner: Austin Theory

There’s only three participants left in the match; Rollins, Gargano, and Theory. Gargano is lying on the steel, outside of the ring. Meanwhile, Rollins has Theory right where he wants him, thinking of hitting a ‘Curb Stomp.’ Now that Theory is kneeling, Rollins runs at him and gets his foot on Theory’s neck. However, Theory manages to get up and catches Rollins in mid-air! Theory puts him up on his shoulders, and spins him around in the air for the ‘ATL!’

1…

2…

3! Rollins is eliminated from the Chamber. Which means that the two men still standing are Gargano, and Theory. Tale as old as time. The fans boo the hell out of Theory, not liking what they’re seeing. Now, Theory sets his sights into getting Gargano back inside. Just as he’s about to grab Gargano, Gargano is quick to push him away with a shoulder bump to his abdomen. This gives enough space for Gargano to jump and dive off the third rope for the ‘One Final Beat!’ We’ve got a new champion for sure. Gargano pins Theory.

1…

2…

Hold on- The lights have just gone out? What shenanigans are these? In the middle of the ring, a light flickers and reveals a familiar figure. Woah woah, is that-

It’s Tommaso Ciampa! What the hell?! Gargano looks at him in shock, as all the lights amongst the arena return back to life. Both Ciampa and Gargano lock eyes for a split second, until Ciampa charges towards Gargano. He strikes and stomps the shit out of Gargano. The fans cannot believe it. Actually, no one can believe what we’re seeing! After seeing them reconcile, it seems as if hatred reigns above all. Satisfied with his work, Ciampa lifts Gargano up for a power-bomb position. He walks more towards the middle, and drops Gargano with the ‘Project Ciampa!’ A power-bomb back-breaker. Good grief.

Theory struggles to get back to his feet, but he seems to be perplexed with what he’s seeing. He smiles to himself. He yells at Ciampa to finish off Gargano, and Ciampa surprisingly complies. He picks Gargano again, and gets both of them positioned in the middle of the ring. Ciampa kicks Gargano’s abdomen, and pulls both of his arms up. Ciampa lifts Gargano’s body up for the ‘Fairytale Ending.’ Now that the work is done, Theory walks towards Gargano and makes the cover.

1…

2…

3. Theory remains your United States champion, in the most controversial way. As per usual. The referee hands Theory the title, and Ciampa ends up being the person holding his arm up in victory. Suddenly, he hits a ‘discuss lariat’ to Theory! Oh my God, what is happening?! Ciampa drags Theory to the nearest corner, and sets him on the top turnbuckle. Ciampa climbs up the second turnbuckle, and beats Theory down with a couple strikes to the head. Now that Theory is weakened, Ciampa pulls him up on his shoulders so that he can pull off a huge ‘Air Raid Crash’ onto the mat!

To end things off, Ciampa gets up as if nothing occurred and grabs the United States title from the ground. He lifts it up, making his intentions known. Things are about to get wilder than they already were.