EVOLVE sets up Johnny Gargano’s farewell run, joining Ciampa with full-time NXT deals

By PWTorch Staff (Sean Radican & James Caldwell)

Johnny Gargano, the face of EVOLVE Wrestling for the past five years, is leaving for a full-time WWE role on the NXT roster.

PWTorch has learned that Gargano’s “second tier” contract has been rolled over into a full-time deal, similar to his NXT tag partner Tommaso Ciampa.

Ciampa, as we reported earlier this month, is finishing his indies run on September 25 for Progress Wrestling in the U.K.

Gargano said Thursday that he will be finishing his indies career on Sept. 23 in Cleveland.

EVOLVE has set up a big farewell for Gargano, including his final match against Cody Rhodes on September 11 in Queens, New York. Gargano is also scheduled for Sept. 10 in Deer Park, New York.

Gargano will be finishing his run after feeling like he wanted to take the next step in his wrestling career, according to a Twitter post detailing the career move.

EVOLVE also released a “Mini-Doc” detailing the “Farewell to an Icon” farewell storyline centered on Gargano and Ethan Page.

I'm ready. #ThankYou pic.twitter.com/C84ygJuw0W

— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) July 21, 2016

[Johnny Gargano art credit Matt Charlton & Sam Gardiner]