Re-Booking Johnny Gargano’s WWE Main Roster Run [Part 3]

RAW: October 17th, 2022

Matt Riddle vs. Bobby Lashley

Winner: Matt Riddle

Matt Riddle attempts to hit Bobby Lashley, with a running high knee. Lashley steps out of the way, making Riddle miss his shot. In quick succession, Lashley runs towards the ropes and bounces off of them to strike Riddle with a ‘Spear!’

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Kick out by Riddle! At ringside, MVP is livid. How did that not put Riddle away, once and for all? Lashley seems to also be frustrated, but he’s quick to realize that he’s got another move up his sleeve. Quickly, he goes towards Riddle and gets him up. Lashley turns him around, and grabs both of his arms as he wraps his hands to the back of Riddle’s head for ‘The Hurt Lock.’ Riddle has got nowhere to go, even more so when Lashley continues to apply pressure. It looks like Riddle’s about to tap-

It’s- It’s Johnny Gargano! Lashley’s immediate response upon hearing Gargano’s theme, he lets go of Riddle and walks towards the direction where Gargano is at. The referee tries to contain Lashley from getting out of the ring, just as Gargano walks down the ramp. MVP tries to get ahead, and runs towards Gargano. Gargano is quick to react, and both men get into a brawl. Riddle takes advantage of this distraction, by bringing Lashley down for a roll-up pin.

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Oh my God! Riddle picks up the win here! As Riddle celebrates, Gargano gets the upper hand on MVP, and whips him towards the steel steps. Though, the celebration is over once Lashley tries to hit Riddle. Riddle is quick to get out of the ring, and stand beside Gargano. The crowd is going nuts, as Lashley remains focused on throwing daggers at both men with his menacing gaze.

RAW: October 24th, 2022

Promo; Johnny Gargano

Before Johnny Gargano can begin, he takes a minute or so to appreciate the crowd’s chants. “Johnny Wrestling! Johnny Wrestling!” the crowd would chant in unison. This made Gargano happier than ever, since the WWE Universe clearly is behind him. Now, Gargano begins by stating that what he did last week, was with a purpose. He wanted Bobby Lashley to get a taste of his own medicine. Though, it’ll never come close to being compared to what he endured at Extreme Rules, in the US Championship match against Austin Theory. Gargano knows that he had that match won, and it frustrates him that he couldn’t get the job done. So, if he plans to get back on top of the rankings and get to Theory again, he’ll do EVERYTHING that’s in his power.

Out comes both Lashley and MVP, to interrupt him. Both men walk down the ramp, showered in boo’s. Lashley and MVP get inside the ring, as Gargano continues to keep his gaze on them. MVP is handed a microphone from one of the officials. Despite the boo’s growing louder through the entire arena, MVP speaks. Gargano is a delusional man, who thinks he’ll be able to get through this new version of Lashley. Lashley, is not a competitor to take lightly. After the loss at Clash of the Castle, both Lashley and him were orchestrating the ‘perfect revenge.’ And at Extreme Rules, things went accordingly. Although Lashley would rather focus on bigger accomplishments now, he’s been wanting to get rid of one little thorn. And that thorn, is Gargano.

MVP es the microphone to Lashley. Lashley states that in order to catapult into the main scene, once again, he’ll do ANYTHING to reach that spot. Gargano, unfortunately, halted all of that. Now though, it is the time to make him suffer. Making him lose his rematch against Theory was just the first step. Lashley is looking forward to leaving Gargano, in his path of destruction. What not better way to do so, by having a match with him on the go-home RAW before Crown Jewel. Gargano instantly accepts, not wasting any time to get his hands on Lashley. However, Lashley has a surprise for him. See, this won’t be a regular one-on-one match. Actually, it’ll be a 2-on-1 handicap match. And yes, Adam Pearce agreed to the idea. So, it’ll be MVP and Lashley versus Gargano for next week.

Gargano lastly states that the more asses he has to kick, the better. He isn’t afraid of a challenge, because he’s out here to prove that he is capable of coming out on top. Against all odds.

RAW: October 31st, 2022

MVP & Bobby Lashley vs. Johnny Gargano

Winner: Johnny Gargano

MVP has Johnny Gargano in position for the ‘Playmaker,’ but Gargano manages to counter it and hits MVP with a ‘enziguiri.’ Both men are down, exhausted from all the action. Bobby Lashley becomes desperate at the corner, then he yells at MVP to get up. What Lashley doesn’t notice is a figure that stands right behind him. The figure reveals himself to be.. Dexter Lumis! The crowd roars in cheers, as Lumis grabs Lashley’s legs to bring him down and collide face first with the apron. Luckily for Lumis, the referee doesn’t seem to notice the action, which leads him to leave the scene through the crowd.

As MVP props himself up from the mat, Gargano is already up and ready to deliver a running side kick to the face. MVP is once again, out of the equation. This allows for Gargano to lock him up in the ‘Gargano Escape!’ Just a few minutes , until MVP taps out. Giving Gargano the victory, as he heads towards Crown Jewel with all the momentum in his favor. On the outside, Lashley looks up to see Gargano celebrating. This loss made him more furious than anything.

Crown Jewel: November 5th, 2022

Bobby Lashley vs. Johnny Gargano

Winner: Bobby Lashley

Johnny Gargano is on the apron, holding onto the ropes. Bobby Lashley tries to ‘Spear’ him out of the ring, but Gargano counters it by hitting Lashley’s abdominal area with his shoulder. This perfectly sets Gargano up to dive from the middle rope, to land the ‘One Final Beat!’ Gargano goes for the cover:

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Before the referee can get to the 3-count, MVP grabs the referee by the legs to bring him to ringside. While both MVP and the referee argue, the WWE Universe goes ballistic. They know Gargano had it there. To get some sort of revenge, Gargano gets up and runs towards the ropes. He bounces off of them, and once again dives from the middle rope for a ‘Suicide Dive’ onto MVP! Thankfully, the referee was able to avoid the attack so he goes back inside the ring. And so does Gargano. As Gargano approaches Lashley, Lashley takes advantage of playing possum to roll Gargano up for the pin.

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Kick out by Gargano! As both men get up, Lashley does so much quicker. This gives him the advantage to run towards Gargano for a ‘Spear!’ To everyone’s surprise though, Lashley doesn’t go for the pin. Instead, he props Gargano’s body up to lock him in ‘The Hurt Lock.’ It looks like Gargano’s about to tap out, but at the last second he gets enough strength to get himself out of the hold! Back at the outside, MVP slowly gets up and becomes aware of the situation.

Gargano tries to go for an ‘enziguiri’ on Lashley, but Lashley counters by pushing his feet away from him. Once again, MVP distracts the referee. Picking up from their last argument. This distraction serves its justice, because it allows Lashley to go for a low-blow on Gargano. How sickening. Now, Lashley goes for the pin and MVP tells the referee to become aware of the situation.

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Lashley picks up a HUGE win over Gargano, in the most controversial way. Ever. This is stupid, and the crowd lets it be known.