Johnny Gargano: From gold star to goofball

Johnny Gargano: From gold 

star to goofball

John Anthony Nicholas Gargano, an eight year freelancer on the independent wrestling scene made an interesting name for himself.

The twenty-five year old began his debut in October 2005 and has since made certain interest on the wrestling scene. In 2006 he was crowned CAPW’s Junior Heavyweight champion lasting over a year where competition, granted, was minimal, however was catapulted into a further spotlight beginning his entry level to the profession.

During his career, the naïve budding youngster held a multitude of titles in his new uprising surge of interest on the independent's as a minimal name of interest. Gargano soon changed that perspective in 2009 when he became involved with the Dragon Gate USA and Evolve promotions. Convinced by Colt Cabana after a match with All American Wrestling (AAW) ‘bana suggested contacting Gabe Sapolsky, recently departed booker of Ring of Honor, who chose to scout talent for the Dragon Gate company in a change of scenery. After informing, Cabana directed him to Sapolsky. Gargano was given an opportunity in July ’09 with a multi dark match loss. Gargano officially joined on November 28^th in a championship tournament, failing to win, however set him as an on-screen talent.   

Gargano followed with a defeat of Chris Dickinson on Jan 16^th 2010 to remain a new star on television. Gargano finally inked a deal in May that year after more dark matches of consideration. Taking on a massive challenge, Gargano fought CIMA in a loss on Sept 26^th after one of the company’s founders and toughest fighters put Gargano in a comfortable position as a result. This set a humble offering of his services to CIMA’s faction Warriors International, which was rejected. Spurned, instead Johnny formed a group with Rich Swann and Chuck Taylor collectively known as Ronin.

In September 2011 Gargano would become a two time CHIKARA tag team champion with pal Chuck Taylor towards June 2012 finding his niche in the comedy promotion.

Competition in YAMATO?

Come November 2011, back in Dragon Gate, Gargano would capture the Open the Freedom Gate heavyweight title from YAMATO in a daring match for company turnaround projections. Under Gargano’s rule, however, the title came into disrupte. Dragon Gate, believing the championship to be in sustainable hands soon became invalid three months in. Having held the championship for 536 days and currently today, the feline loving thug, with his half-hearted, lazy approach to match layout, effort and ignorance regarding match portrayal has become an intense liability. Laboured, apathetic and bland, green bean Gargano, struggling to maintain any dominance or impact as champion should be launched into a series with YAMATO and lose the title if Dragon Gate wish to continue to keep its doors open, have a monumental champ and to be filled with powerful aggression among intense passion to rebrand its company tiers as a credible option. YAMATO can have an interesting series with other performers afterwards making the title meaningful and the company of interest once again.

Gargano also joined Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) in 2013. The intense, tough setting in PWG doesn’t have the capacity to house dated Gargano and keep its credibility with other performers if it is to continue its rising success on the independent scene and should sidestep the problem before it continues, rather than allow pride to ruin their progression.

Gargano, already floundering in matches with stars in certain companies, has become a constrained mess without any format or logically concepts. Becoming a complete embarrassment and in need of a charisma transplant the absurd borefest limits many companies than enhances them.

Goofy Gargano, with his gleaming stance and incapable booking qualities, is rapidly casting doubt among the independent wrestling scene as a legitimate choice for anything other than looking good and failing dismally.

So much so was the appearance at Preston City Wrestling's (PCW) Springslam event, (on April 26th) a constant rip off of WWE's branding including "Money in the bank" matches among many washed up old WWE stars, in a one on one match with homosexual Noam Dar. The clunky, defunct and minor scrap in hardcore fashion was a diabolical level of disjointed interaction from both incomplete lamebrains. Gargano lost.

Disgracing the independent scene, companies worked with and boring performances enamoured with dorky displacement and self-enhancing status for himself, Gargano has become a wasteful setting in the wrestling world which has become more harmful to any company that utilises his so called talent. If there is no time for the business, it should not have the time for him with such pitiful choices which harm the pro wrestling landscape further along the course of its already troublesome financial times in the independent settings where wrestling may have to shut its doors if it cannot balance its output righteously enough. 

©  Max Waltham 15th May 2013

Adam Cole: From crumb to conqueror

The straggly long haired, blue eyed boy entered Ring of Honor years previous in 2009 to some rather lacking presentation. Now, in 2013, brimming young talent Adam Cole has exceed expectation four years on. 2012 was by far one of Cole’s sketchiest, yet map setting moments for recognition. Was it so bad that it was noticed, or did Cole manage to present a new lease of interest regardless of company booking? Cole impressed and made it onto the Wrestling Wonders Pro 50 2012 at number 43. Since then, Cole has been inundated with appearances, interviews and acknowledgement from other sources of entertainment and fan respect. Cole shone but his lackluster booking was thwarting his potential. In 2012 we wrote “May be doomed in ROH, needs further development in their eyes, though unwilling to give support to him, Cole could be on a rocky road again…" 

Cole bypassed that predicament in 2012 soaring up the charts making the list at number 12 with added intrigue. "Respected from previous year downpour launched technical and barbaric whizz into capable outlook for ROH... Heavyweight and mid level champ further elevated company fortunes in portrayal designating correct style and look of star as frontman... Needs solid matches, core structure in technical main stay with opponents to maintain company perceival..."

Since then Ring of Honor complied and bean realising the fruits of its labour. Adam Cole has since transgressed into a blooming champion as the TV Championship holder and delivers expert matches. Since his troublesome 2011, Cole’s turnaround in 2012 proved profitable. Working outstanding matches with new talents that matched level and equal opposition able to prise wrestling standards credibly, Cole is on many radar’s since.

So why did it take ROH so long to act? If Wrestling Wonders' recommendation wasn’t given would he have been a jobber destined to sink to the undercard and fill in for those who were floundering in the company tiers? Whatever the case, Cole has become a standpoint for the company and drives viewers forward to the working environment who once neglected his position to favour a pocket full of mainstream names alone.

Cole impressed with tag team Future Shock, joined with Kyle O’Reilly making an impressive duo in the tag team division building huge profile and quality where possible. The partnership was disbanded on January 7^th in 2012 setting Cole on his fully fledged singles path to glory, not before pairing with Eddie Edwards, who broke with his partner Davey Richards where Richards joined O’Reilly to battle the partnered teams broken on either side which was initially fair but then became senselessly relied on. All four did their best to achieve good results, though Cole became the shining light in that series.

Cole received a monumental standing rise from Ring of Honor dropping the ROH champion Davey Richards on the company's 10^th Anniversary show, however only in non-title tag action. He would embark on a minor series with former partner O’Reilly to finally end their series in June at Best In the World. Cole offered goodwill to his former buddy, who spurned his advances. Moving on, Cole soon captured the ROH TV title from Roderick Strong in a proven and tantalising win which catapulted Cole over the fence. Cole fended off competition from all-comers including esteemed colleague Mike Mondo and Eddie Edwards while losing a pointless non-title encounter to Matt Hardy which shouldn’t have been booked over the course of the year end for Cole. Cole continued to hold the title well into the new year of 2013 until falling to no hoper Matt Taven at the annual 11^th Anniversary show on March 2^nd. Cole held an astounding 246 days as champion.   

Winning ROH TV title

Cole recently reunited his tag team with O’Reilly in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) where he also independently adds his flavour. PWG has fast become an increasingly interesting promotion as of late, gathering new quality protraction from stars such as Cole lending their skills to the organisation.

Able to succeed rivals, rise above the doldrums and impress the most important people in the business Cole’s doors have been opened up tremendously. With a number of valid options and opportunities now coming his way, enraptured by his own talent portrayal also, and his ability to go further than what is asked for to deliver fan and wrestling appreciation, Cole is the one who has a very bright future in the business if correct choices are made. WWE have already given him a try-out earlier in the year and with no loyalty and ignorance from ROH previously, the decision to jump may look ever more attractive for this promising superstar. He’s quite hot, too. 

©  Max Waltham 29th April 2013

Ole! WWE hire El Generico

Generico contract leading way 

for multiple influx?

WWE hasn’t officially signed masked wrestling superstar El Generico to a developmental contract as the internet marks have jumped on a false inclination once again with inaccurate details.

Generico has been spoken to and invited to take WWE’s rigorous medical tests, upon if passing will surely be signed, which everyone understands. Generico speaks a multitude of languages, which was said to be a tipping point for WWE’s worldwide scale. Generico has been told to and complied with cancellations of lined up events including PWG’s approaching weekend event. Previous deals with Kassius Ohno, Daniel Bryan and break downs such as Nigel McGuiness deals falling through are standard procedure before mass signage. WWE may remove Generico’s mask as a worker. This would be a mass mistake noted by the WWE Universe.  

The soon to be signing comes as WWE plan to expand their developmental future, widely understood by Triple H. Head-hunter Tripper also plans to sign up numerous independent superstars previously eyed up years ago. Some of those include Sami Callihan and Adam Cole, who again, have been in WWE’s eyesight for numerous time and due to receive tryouts over January. More signings are expected over coming months.

Other stars lined up could include Roderick Strong, a bundle of divas, Mike Bennett and potentially former WWE Diva and Bennett’s girlfriend Maria, Shelton Benjamin, Alex Shelley and Brodie Lee among others. Bennett had his meeting/tryout last month. 

WWE plan to considering calling up as well Ashley Flair and Paige to television.

Speculation also emerges WWE have considered signing model Kyla Cole.

John Morrison has also been assumed to return to the company after his contract expiration within a year and a half to two years. No word on Melina returning. He shouldn’t.

No word can be revealed on whether Max Waltham will sign.

Asked if WWE would re-hire others?

After being asked by fans from letters in email and social media, Wrestling Wonders believes WWE may re-introduced Maryse at the WWE 20^th Raw anniversary show and has been in contact with her for a return at some stage. We wouldn’t be surprised if it made offers to Michelle McCool, Maxine and The Bella Twins. WWE have asked Trish Stratus to return, of which she declined. Lita is also in the frame. Batista is only a matter of time before an approach is made. WWE should re-hire Sylvain Grenier.

WWE’s attempt at creating a future because it neglected to make one is an upset and yet pleasing move that it finally looks to hire more capable stars, however, how much time has been neglected, and what of those stars still residing in WWE? The ‘E need to band them together than cause lockeroom conflict. Hiring certain people who bring others together to gain the best out of staff are sterling choices. WWE need to offer more than a few Indy stars and re-work the roster. It needs people to help shape them. Those individuals are just as technically priceless as the stars themselves to formulate a decisive future perspective.

© Max Waltham 13th January 2013







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