Johnny Gargano On NXT As An Underdog, Being 'Mr. Takeover'

Johnny Gargano On NXT Being An Underdog, Taking Pride In Being ‘Mr. Takeover’

Johnny Gargano recently spoke with WKYC in Cleveland, and he talked about NXT’s position as a brand in WWE, and said the roster is full of talent waiting to break out:

“I think NXT is kind of like the Cleveland, Ohio of professional wrestling. We’re that underdog whose hungry, who’s always out to prove people wrong, and that’s kind of what our locker room represents.

“We’ve got a bunch of guys who have been traveling around the world for over 10 years, scratching and clawing, fighting, just trying to live their dream, just trying to prove people wrong, just trying to show that we belong, and that’s kind of the essence of NXT. We’re young, we’re hungry and we’re ready to show the world that we’re the best at what we do. We’re kind of like the Cleveland Browns right now.”

Additionally, Gargano talked about Shawn Michaels being called ‘Mr. Wrestlemania’ by his peers, something he takes pride in knowing he’s been in a similar role on NXT’s marquee events:

“I was on Raw (Monday) night on a red carpet with Shawn Michaels for Ric Flair’s 70th birthday party, and we were talking about how he is ‘Mr. WrestleMania.’ He’s Mr. WrestleMania, and I’m Mr. TakeOver,’ and I take great pride in being ‘Mr. TakeOver.’

“It’s something that’s not pressure. It’s not something that’s too big. It’s something that I see and every, single TakeOver, I’m like, ‘I’m going to give the people something they never forget, and yeah, NXT, man, it holds a special place in my heart.”