Johnny Gargano Becomes A Free Agent After Reportedly Rejecting Multiple WWE Contract Offers

Johnny Gargano has officially become a free agent after his WWE contract expired overnight, with the former NXT star reportedly turning down multiple advances to pen a new deal with the company. 

Reports indicated that Gargano signed a one-week extension with WWE, seeing his deal up to Friday 10 December. As of midnight, Gargano is now free to work anywhere he likes and has no 'non-compete' attached to his name.

According to Fightful Select, Gargano has been private about his decision backstage in WWE but there were some officials in the company that were aware of his deal's impending expiration as far back as a year ago. Multiple efforts have been made to convince him to re-sign in the past few weeks, but the former NXT Champion has opted for free agency. 

It is noted that Gargano was one of a number of top NXT stars to turn down new deals with the promotion in 2019, which coincided with the brand's switch to the USA Network, as there was reportedly not enough incentive for the wrestlers in question to take the offers. The more recent contract proposals are said to have been 'much better' than the one put to Gargano two years ago. 

While Gargano has now officially left WWE, it is said he has departed on amicable terms and the door has been left open by both parties for a working relationship again in the future. Higher-ups in WWE are reportedly still optimistic that the 'Rebel Heart' will come back to the promotion in the future.