NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano and The Way have been some of the black-and-gold brand’s most impressive players in recent months. The group is equally renowned for its funny segments and its excellent matches.
In an interview with Justin Barrasso, Gargano shared the group’s origin story. He explained how, when his babyface run was coming to the end, he started brainstorming and sending ideas to Triple H and Shawn Michaels. He stated that The Way has allowed him to combine two goals: helping his wife, Candice LeRae reach new heights in NXT and working with Austin Theory. Gargano then reflected on how the group’s dynamic has continued to evolve, and he shared his hope that their time in the stable will be truly beneficial for both Theory and Indi Hartwell.
“The idea was always to place Candice with me,” said Gargano. ” We’d really wanted to work together. Knowing how talented she is, I wanted to get her as bright a spotlight of her own—not as Johnny Gargano’s wife, but as Candice freakin’ LeRae, one of the best wrestlers in the world. I always wanted a stable as well. I had the idea of Austin Theory being with me a long time ago. I’m talking a long time ago, like right when he got signed to NXT. I remember saying to Hunter, “He could be like my Randy [Orton].” I felt like I could help mold him into what he can be; he just needed the right platform.
“Indi is someone we didn’t know too well, but it was easy to see her potential and we felt like she’d fit in with us really well. Now, to see what we’ve transformed into, this sort of dysfunctional family, it’s completely different than what I imagined. It has a sitcom vibe, and that’s definitely not what I wrote up in those Word documents. But things happened on camera, and we went with it. The dynamic just feels right, and hopefully it helps Indi and Austin in the long way, especially showing off their personalities.”
The Way has been one of NXT’s most successful storylines in recent months, and Gargano explained that all four members of the stable balance genuine comedy and exemlary in-ring action.
“We need entertainment now more than ever, so we’ll be silly, we’ll be goofy,” said Gargano. “I’m happy to be silly and goofy, but I’ll also go 30 minutes with Kushida. That’s what makes us believable and not becoming a comedy act. Like you said, there’s nothing wrong with that, but that’s not what we’re doing.
“I always look to Kurt Angle as my inspiration. Kurt could wear a tiny cowboy hat one minute and make you laugh, but then he could be in the ring having a crazy, classic match. You can be entertaining outside the ring, but as soon as that bell rings, you need to be able to flip the switch and turn it on.”
Finally, Gargano shared his stance that he’s currently on the best run of his career because he’s helping his opponents along the way.
“I do think this is my best run,” said Gargano. “I take pride in the fact that I can give certain spotlight to guys and bring others up. I can make other guys along the way, and I think that’s my role now. We have such a talented locker room, so that’s incredibly easy for me to do.”
Gargano will defend the NXT North American Championship against Bronson Reed in a Steel Cage Match this week on NXT.
