With speculation mounting about another return to WWE, there was a big tease on Raw indicating a possible return for Johnny Gargano.
Following the retirement of Vince McMahon from WWE and Triple H taking over as the man in charge, change is in the air for the sports entertainment giant. Already Dakota Kai, Karrion Kross, and Scarlett – all big stars on NXT under Triple H – have returned to the company after they were previously released from their contracts.
With Raw heading into Cleveland, Ohio on Monday night, many fans might have thought they’d see the return of another ex-NXT star in his hometown. Johnny Gargano left WWE when his contract expired in April and the former NXT Champion has been coy about his wrestling future ever since.
Gargano’s former #DIY tag team partner Ciampa was in action on Raw as he challenged Bobby Lashley for the United States Championship. During the bout, Ciampa locked in his former partner’s Gargano Escape submission hold leading announcer Corey Graves to quip “if you want something done, you have to do it yourself.” Whether this was an intentional tease for Gargano or merely a clever line from Graves remains to be seen.
Perhaps the biggest sign that Johnny Gargano could be set to return to WWE was the surprise arrival of Dexter Lumis on Raw. Lumis was seen being dragged away from ringside by police following what appeared to be a car crash that had taken place earlier in the night.
Lumis and Gargano were a part of The Way group on NXT which also featured Gargano’s real-life wife Candice LeRae, Lumis’ on-screen wife Indi Hartwell, and Theory.