Johnny Gargano posted the following on Facebook, commenting on his final EVOLVE appearances this weekend before he starts full-time with WWE this month:
I’ve sat down a few times to write this blog but every time I start typing.. nothing ever seems good enough. It just doesn’t feel right. Maybe because all of this still doesn’t seem real to me (there’s an article on WWE.compromoting my final appearance at EVOLVE, and a shirt on WWE shop with Gargano on it.. and I’m gonna be on RAW? Seriously.. what is happening?!). As my independent dates dwindle down.. we’re coming up on a weekend where I’m scheduled to have my very last match in EVOLVE. I haven’t been shy about my history there and what that company truly means to me. It’s my baby. I’ve been there since day one. I’ve watched it grow and I promised myself that I’d do everything in my power to bring it where it belongs. I wouldn’t leave until I’d gotten the most eyes on it as humanly possible. We have and have always had an amazing crop of talent in that locker room. Guys have come and guys have gone.. but for the past 6 years through the highs and lows there’s been one constant.. Johnny Gargano. That won’t be the case once EVOLVE 69 comes to a close.. and that’s not a bad thing. It’s time for other guys to step up and claim that spot. For the future of EVOLVE and independent wrestling.. that NEEDS to happen. And it will. Look what it did for me once a guy named Jon Moxley left..
EVOLVE.. Dragon Gate USA.. WWN made Johnny Gargano. I would not be where I’m at today without those experiences. I have 7 years worth of amazing memories. From the first time I step foot in a DGUSA ring in the ECW arena in a pre-show match.. to becoming the first American to win the DGUSA Open the Freedom Gate championship in the heart of Times Square and holding that title for almost 3 years!.. From forming Ronin with two of my buddies in Rich Swann and Chuck Taylor to being in the A-List Fight Team with Larry Dallas (I haven’t forgotten about that!).. also.. getting a once in a lifetime experience of being the first company to tour China with an outstanding group of dudes.. Those are just a few of the unique memories that will stick with me forever.
Don’t get me started on the matches.. I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the ring with some of the absolute best wrestlers that have ever graced this planet.. my battles with CIMA, my vastly underrated (in my opinion) I Quit Match with Chuck Taylor, my No Rope War with Jon Davis, my highly touted match against Shingo in New Jersey, my match with Ricochet in New Orleans (which you can watch on YouTube right now!), my title unification match with Drew Galloway in San Jose.. the list is literally endless. I’m someone who is not a fan of his own matches.. but I’m extremely proud of my body of work in WWN for these last 7 years.
I will carry everything I’ve learned and everything I’ve experienced into this next chapter of my career. It will always stay with me. A wise man once said “Goodbyes Stink” and they do.. I will head into this weekend with a whirlwind of emotions.. sad to be leaving everything I’ve grown accustomed to.. the usual group of guys I travel, share a hotel and train with, the comradery of the locker room and the super top secret hip intricate handshake that Gabe Sapolsky and I share upon every greeting. I’m also hopeful for the future..
With that said.. I’m not just coming to New York to say farewell. I have a laundry list of things I still want to accomplish in EVOLVE before I ride off into the sunset..
– Zack Sabre Jr. is one of the best wrestlers in the world.. I need to PUSH him to be better.
– This war with Drew Galloway has gone on long enough and if its the last thing I do.. it WILL come to a close.
– Last but not least.. there’s a few guys on the EVOLVE roster that NEED that extra nudge to realize their full potential. CIMA did it for me and I will do it for them.
Now I look to you.. EVOLVE fans.. Indie Wrestling fans.. Johnny Gargano fans.. You guys have always been there for me. Through thick and thin you’ve been by my side and I can’t thank you enough for that. Please.. join me this weekend in Long Island, NY for EVOLVE 68 and Queens, NY for EVOLVE 69. The last time I was in New York I was in a 15,000 seat arena.. this weekend you can literally come up and say “Hello” to me at the merchandise table (where I’ll have limited edition commemorative T-Shirts for sale! Only 50 available! Get em quick! Shill city! Okay back to the emotional stuff).. Honestly.. that’s the thing I’m going to miss the most, the true beauty of independent wrestling.. the small intimate interactions I can have with you guys. If you’re in attendance this weekend, don’t be shy.. I’m the same scrunchy having, jean vest wearing, professional wrestling loving kid that used to do YouTube videos with his webcam. Let’s create one final lasting memory together this weekend. I hope to see all of you there for a night we’ll never forget.
