EVOLVE Comments on Johnny Gargano Working a NXT Match on June 18

In a new statement, EVOLVE comments on Johnny Gargano working a NXT match on June 18 at recent tapings in Florida. The next four weeks of “NXT” television episodes were taped at Full Sail University on June 18. As previously reported, WWE and EVOLVE/DGUSA/WWN are going to be working together to run NXT live events across the nation, including having competitors from the independent promotions work matches with NXT talent.

Gargano, who’s under contract with promotion WWN, worked a dark match (a bout that isn’t taped during a wrestling event) with NXT new-comer Uhaa Nation. Nation, who has appeared in vignettes during “NXT” television, and was shown seated at ringside during “NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable,” where fans chanted “Uhaa” at the international superstar.

While Uhaa has yet to take a WWE stage name, he worked this match with Gargano, whom he had faced earlier on the independent scene during EVOLE 27. It is unsure of whether or not Gargano will be asked to sign a new contract with WWE, but he was working the match as a WWE tryout bout. Gargano appeared in WWE in 2007 as a German gimmick, competing as a jobber, and then again as Joey Gray in 2011.

EVOLVE’s statement reads,

“Johnny Gargano wrestled Uhaa Nation at last night’s NXT taping in a dark match. Watch their first ever match at EVOLVE 27 here. We are very happy that WWE gave Gargano this opportunity. We have all traveled the road with Gargano and watched him go from the pre-show FRAY! on the first ever DGUSA event to his historic reigns as DGUSA Champion.

If there is ever a WWN Hall Of Fame, Gargano is sure to be on the first ballot. It is only with your support that Gargano has accomplished all these things. Gargano remains under WWN contract. He will return to EVOLVE in New York on August 15th and 16th. We can already announce one of the huge matches he will be involved in that weekend. After what happened at EVOLVE 44, it’ll be Gargano vs. Ethan Page in an Anything Goes Match at EVOLVE 47 in Queens, NY at La Boom.”

Editor’s Note:

I bet that match was awesome. Would be cool to see Gargano in NXT full-time, not as a German named Cedrick Von Haussen (like he was in 2007 in WWE).