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WWE star Sami Zayn has used Johnny Gargano as a sounding board for his grievances over the past few weeks on “Friday Night SmackDown.”
Gargano, known as “Johnny Wrestling,” has been face down during most of his segments for months. He hasn’t spoken to anyone, nor has he been in a wrestling ring since Stand & Deliver way back in April. The only signal to know that Gargano is actually alive is when Zayn has spoken to him.
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Myles Borne competes against Johnny Gargano at NXT: Stand and Deliver at The Factory in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 4, 2026. (Bradlee Rutledge/WWE via Getty Images)
Zayn talked about Gargano and what it would take to get him going again in an interview with Pakinomist Digital before he won the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions.
“I think he’s a tremendously talented person. Anyone who’s followed his career, actually seen his work, especially in NXT, knows what he’s capable of,” Zayn said. “Some people, when they get to the main roster, were never really shown what they’re made of, and I definitely think he falls into that category…
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Sami Zayn enters the ring during a WWE live event at Palacio Vistalegre in Madrid, Spain on June 4, 2026. (Andrew Timms/WWE)
“He’s almost in this sort of vegetative state or whatever, and he just needs Prince Charming or whatever it is to come around and grab him and snap him out of it… I think something just needs to have the right spark to make him remember who he is, and I think if and when that happens, we’re going to see a side of him that’s been very exciting that hasn’t been seen in a very long time.”
Gargano is one of the best pure wrestlers on the roster.
He put on some of the best matches in NXT history. He has won the NXT Championship, NXT North American Championship, and NXT Tag Team Championship, making him the first NXT Triple Crown Champion.
On the main roster, he has been a two-time WWE Tag Team Champion.
Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano watch during SmackDown at KFC YUM! Center in Louisville, Ky., on February 27, 2026. (Mike Marques/WWE via Getty Images)
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But all fans are hoping he gets another chance to break out again and break out of this slumber and get back to what he does best.
