Johnny Gargano is excited about returning to EVOLVE this weekend.
On Sept. 11, 2016, Gargano wrestled what many thought would be his last match in EVOLVE. On that night, he teamed with Cody to defeat Chris Hero (Kassius Ohno) and Drew Galloway (Drew McIntyre). The event was named A Farewell To An Icon after Gargano, who had become synonymous with the company. Gargano left EVOLVE for NXT and has now become synonymous with WWE's yellow brand.
This weekend, Gargano will return to EVOLVE for the first time in over two years. At EVOLVE 119 on Jan. 18, Gargano will team with AR Fox to face Austin Theory & Josh Briggs. The next night at EVOLVE 120, Gargano takes on Theory in a non-title bout.
Speaking to WWE.com, Gargano discussed his upcoming return to the promotion that helped him become Johnny Wrestling.
"Yeah, it’s crazy to think that I get the chance to do this. When I had my last EVOLVE match, I thought that I was closing this book forever. But with the landscape of the way everything’s going, I’m able to come back and that’s awesome," said Gargano. "It’s great that I get a chance to go back to a place that is very important to me. I’ve said time and time again that I don’t think I’d be the wrestler I am today, probably wouldn’t be the person I am today, if it wasn’t for my experiences and my time at EVOLVE Wrestling."
Gargano continued, "I don’t think I’d be in WWE, and I wouldn’t be in NXT, if it wasn’t for my time in EVOLVE and Dragon Gate USA and things like that. So, to get a chance to come back and just perform in La Boom again, perform in the place where I had my last match, I think it’s pretty cool. It goes to show how awesome wrestling is in 2019."
Gargano will be looking to build some momentum in EVOLVE ahead of next week's NXT TakeOver: Phoenix when he challenges Ricochet for the NXT North American Title.
Fightful will provide full results from both nights of EVOLVE following the conclusion of the events.
