Johnny Gargano’s NXT career appears to be over as a result of losing his title match against Andrade Cien Almas on tonight’s episode of NXT.
Gargano put his career on the line to get the title shot, but it ended up backfiring after Tommaso Ciampa made his presence felt in the final moments of the match. A referee bump in the corner gave Ciampa an opportunity to run-in and attack from behind, hitting his former friend over the back with his crutch. After Ciampa left, Almas used the opportunity to hit a hammerlock DDT to not only retain his title, but ensure his issues with Gargano were over.
Gargano made his way up to the stage and said goodbye to the fans, but Ciampa added insult to injury as he reappeared and waved goodbye, complete with a smile on his face.
Check out highlights from tonight’s main event below:
Is this the last time that we will see @JohnnyGargano make his way to the #WWENXT ring? @CandiceLeRae pic.twitter.com/42NvDyma2U
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2018
When you mess with @JohnnyGargano, you get the wrath of @CandiceLeRae… and no one knows that better than @AndradeCienWWE's business manager @Zelina_VegaWWE! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/cqJX2Tu1KS
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2018
No referee…
The re-emergence of @ProjectCiampa…Luck is NOT in @JohnnyGargano's corner tonight. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/a8uW5HZnBS
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2018
#NXTChampion @AndradeCienWWE has defeated @JohnnyGargano once again…
…and #JohnnyWrestling must now LEAVE #WWENXT. pic.twitter.com/XtvDslZbCc
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) February 22, 2018