Re-Booking Johnny Gargano’s WWE Main Roster Run [Part 1]

This will be a pretty lengthy fantasy re-booking of Johnny Gargano. So, enjoy the multiple blogs I’ll be releasing through the course of the “journey.” As far as I planned on, I’ve got Johnny Gargano’s run for up to WM41. Afterwards, I’ll also plan on doing Karrion Kross’ re-booking, since the poll was pretty tight on results. But for now we’ll start with the first time Gargano appeared on Raw, back in August 22nd of last year.

RAW: August 22nd, 2022

Adam Pearce comes out to the ring, to announce that there will be a United States Championship #1 Contender’s match, who will go on to face Bobby Lashley at Clash at the Castle. Given the fact that we’re just two weeks away, and Lashley didn’t have an “actual opponent…” Desperate times, call for desperate needs. So, the two wrestlers that will be involved are Mustafa Ali, and a surprise wrestler. Who could this individual be?

Later on that night..

Mustafa Ali looks focused inside the ring, ready to see who his opponent will be.

OH MY GOD! IT’S JOHNNY GARGANO! JOHNNY WRESTLING IS BACK! THE HEART AND SOUL OF NXT, HAS COME BACK TO TAKE OVER RAW AND THE WWE.

Johnny Gargano vs. Mustafa Ali {United States Championship #1C Match}

Winner: Johnny Gargano

All it took was a ‘Gargano Escape’ to get Mustafa Ali to tap out. Meaning that Gargano goes to Clash at the Castle, for the opportunity to win his first ever title in the main roster. What a night, and what an amazing way to return.

RAW: August 29th, 2022

Promo; Johnny Gargano Addresses the WWE Universe

Johnny Gargano starts off by stating that he’s missed everyone. From the executives to the crew, locker room talents, and the fans. When he departed from WWE, a few months ago, he felt lost. As if something in him had died a little bit. Nonetheless, he knew that he needed a break to take care of his family, and that time would only tell if he would he driven back to WWE. Here we are now. So, he takes the time to thank everyone that stood by him and gave him the while he was away. Now though, the most important thing is Clash at the Castle.

He’s got an opportunity of a lifetime, to finally make a name for himself in the big leagues. It just so happens that it starts with a United States Championship opportunity. The champion, Bobby Lashley, is a remarkable wrestler. Former WWE Heavyweight champion and Intercontinental champion. He’s got the experience, and history over him. Despite that, there’s just something in him that tells him that he’ll be able to beat the Goliath that will be put in front of him. With this statement, Bobby Lashley comes out. With microphone in hand, and the championship over his shoulder, he walks inside the ring and meets face-to-face with his challenger.

Lashley congratulates Gargano, there’s no doubt that he deserved it. However, he shouldn’t get ahead of himself. Lashley has been holding the United States Championship for quite some time, and has finally made it mean something. He is not an easy opponent, he will go to hell and back just to keep the title. Triple H can get you many opportunities, but he cannot protect you once you step up to The Almighty. Before Lashley can continue, out comes the current Mr. Money in the Bank: Austin Theory.

With a smirk on his face, microphone in hand, and the briefcase… Theory shares his thoughts. He tells Gargano, straight to his face that it doesn’t matter if he were to come out as the new US Champion. Whatever the outcome is, there is NO DOUBT that he’ll get his moment. Because the MITB contract will guarantee it. As for Lashley, well.. Theory just tells him to watch his back. Because Theory has got his eye on him, as well. This isn’t the Theory that didn’t know any better, the rookie under Gargano’s wing. This Theory is willing to teach a thing or two to the veterans.

Clash at the Castle: September 3rd, 2022

Johnny Gargano vs. Bobby Lashley {United States Championship Match}

Winner: Johnny Gargano

Lashley grabs Gargano up for a ‘Standing Spinebuster,’ that brings Gargano down hard to the mat. Instantly, Lashley is up on his feet and gives himself some distance as he awaits for Gargano to get up. Struggling to pull himself up, Gargano does eventually stand, but is immediately brought down by a powerful ‘Spear’ from Lashley.

1…

2…

Yet again another kick out, by Gargano! My God! Lashley cannot believe it. The crowd is starting to erupt in the arena, cheering on Gargano!

Lashley began to grow frustrated, because how could someone like Gargano survive this far into the match? At ringside, MVP is outside and yells at Lashley to finish off Gargano. Of course, Lashley knows what to do. So, he lifts Gargano up and begins to set up the ‘Hurt Lock’ on Gargano. However, Gargano is quick to react and begins to strike Lashley’s face with the back of his head, until Lashley releases the hold. Now that Lashley is out of his orbit, Gargano traps Lashley’s legs between his to bring him down to the mat, and maneuver over to lock in the ‘Gargano Escape!’ After about 2 to 3 minutes, Lashley started to feel much more pain as Gargano strengthened his hold. Lashley had no choice, but to tap out!

Gargano is your NEW, United States Champion- What?

Oh my God! Mr. MITB is here! Is Austin Theory about to cash in? Theory gets inside the ring, and comes up toe-to-toe with the new United States Champion. They stare off for a brief moment, until Theory catches Gargano off guard with a hit to the head with the MITB briefcase. Quickly, Theory goes outside to talk to the referee and convince him that he wants to cash in. Right now.

And it is official! Theory is cashing in his MITB contract, meaning that we’ll have another US Championship match. Right here, right now!

Johnny Gargano vs. Austin Theory {United States Championship Match}

Winner: Austin Theory

Theory carries Gargano up on his shoulders and lifts him off in the air for an ‘ATL!’ Theory covers Gargano.

1…

2…

3!

Theory is the NEW United States Champion! Talk about making a statement! What a fairytale beginning for Theory, but a nightmare-filled end for Gargano.

RAW: September 5th, 2022

Segment; Austin Theory’s Title Celebration

Austin Theory is inside the ring, that’s been arranged for his title celebration. Theory starts speaking, stating that Clash at the Castle couldn’t have gone any better. He walked in as Mr. MITB, and walked out as the brand-new US champion. Life is just simply great, specially when he was able to prove his haters wrong. AND did give both Bobby Lashley and Johnny Gargano a lesson. He’s not just ANY rookie. He’s the BIGGEST rookie that WWE has got. He is the FUTURE. Then out comes Johnny Gargano! Seems like the former US champion, has got some words to say to the new champ.

Gargano steps into the ring, and starts saying that yes. Theory did get the best outcome of all. It’s as if he followed his advice, from their days that both aligned forces in The Way. The only thing that Theory isn’t realizing, is that Gargano still has got a rematch clause. Which he will be putting into use, pretty soon. Another interruption comes, and it’s from Bobby Lashley! Another former US champion. Lashley rains on both Gargano’s and Theory’s parade, by making it clear that he’s also got a rematch clause. Lashley doesn’t care if he has to beat either Gargano, Theory, or both men. All Lashley wants is his championship back, because that’s best for business.

Talking about “best for business,” Adam Pearce makes his presence known. RAW GM proposes the following: Gargano and Lashley can invoke their rematch clauses tonight, for a #1 Contender’s match. For the main event of RAW, it will be Gargano vs. Lashley. One-on-one. Whoever comes out victorious, will be declared the winner and will go on to face Theory at Extreme Rules. For that United States Championship.

Johnny Gargano vs. Bobby Lashley {United States Championship #1C Match}

Winner: Johnny Gargano

Gargano wins with the ‘One Final Beat,’ where he launched himself for a springboard dive that turned into a slingshot DDT. Gargano celebrates with the fans, but his celebration is cut short due to an attack from Theory. Theory delivers a cheap shot to Gargano, by driving the championship to the back of Gargano’s head. Gargano lands stomach-first onto the mat. Theory stands over his body, and raises up the US championship up above his shoulder.