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What's the story?
After his fate was sealed last week, Johnny Gargano's WWE future has been uncertain.
"Johnny Wrestling" lost an NXT Championship match against Andrade "Cien" Almas with the stipulation that he would leave NXT if he lost - and how his final NXT dates have been confirmed.
In case you didn't know...
Gargano and Almas have had an ongoing rivalry over the past months, where Gargano has emerged as possibly one fo WWE's biggest babyface stars - being likened to Daniel Bryan for how endearing he is as an overcoming underdog.
Gargano and Almas even had a match WWE since called the greatest match in NXT TakeOver history, with Dave Meltzer giving it a five-star rating - WWE's first since 2011.
Well, one more match would be made with NXT Champion Andrade Cien Almas upping the stakes, demanding that Gargano put his career on the line to get one final shot at the gold.
Gargano, of course, lost the match - but many thought he'd be staying in NXT as the loss came after interference from Zelina Vega and Gargano's former tag team partner Tomasso Ciampa.
After the match, however, WWE posted a video of Gargano leaving the building and another of William Regal serving his notice of contract termination.
The heart of the matter
Well, it seems like Johnny Gargano will officially no longer be part of NXT as of this week. The hugely popular star took to Twitter to pen a farewell to NXT, and confirm that this weekend's live events will be his final appearances inside the yellow ropes.
What's next?
Well, many thought Gargano would return to NXT to get seek revenge on Ciampa - but Gargano officially exiting NXT paves the way for him to join the main WWE roster. However, his future still remains uncertain amongst numerous rumours.
Author's take
Gargano and Almas put on some classics in NXT and it doesn't look like either is far off the main roster. Gargano would no doubt be an immediate star even if he moved up immediately.
I think Almas may join him, too. I predict that Aleister Black will take the NXT Championship during WrestleMania weekend and Almas may move to Raw or SmackDown after an impressive showing in the Royal Rumble.
The one loose end, though, is Ciampa. This rivalry has been building for the best part of a year and, while the two faced off in the Cruiserweight Classic, the inevitable rematch will be a completely different match. Could it happen on the main roster? I think it may be a perfect Mania match if Ciampa were to follow Gargano to the main roster and cause him to lose every match.
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