With Vince McMahon no longer in control over the creative direction of WWE, there have been some visible changes to the product. Already, Triple H has brought back many of his favorites from NXT, with the likes of Dakota Kai, Karrion Kross, and Dexter Lumis returning to the fold.
Johnny Gargano is a key name who has been brought back to WWE, with him perhaps even being the most noteworthy return so far, with a lot of eyes on him. There are some things that fans want to see from his return, although there are things that WWE should certainly avoid too.
10 We Want - Underdog Babyface Run
In NXT, Johnny Gargano’s rise from the bottom of the card to the very top was one hell of a journey, with him arguably being the best babyface in NXT history. Of course, with his success, this exact story can’t be retold, but he should still be an underdog.
Fans love rooting for an underdog, and with Gargano having an explosive moveset despite his smaller size, this direction is the natural thing for him on the main roster. However, it should be gradual, with him climbing the ranks and overcoming many obstacles and challenges along the way.
9 We Don’t Want - A Super Push
Whilst fans want to see him succeed, Triple H needs to avoid pushing him to the moon. Just because he was beloved by NXT fans and a top champion, it doesn’t mean that a huge push will translate to the main roster, so he should not be propelled straight to the main event any time soon.
As previously mentioned, a push should be gradual, and he should suffer losses too to build sympathy and support. WWE needs to avoid him being a ‘superman’ babyface, otherwise people will lose interest.
8 We Want - Intercontinental Championship Reign
Although WWE have often gotten it wrong over the years, the Intercontinental Championship is supposed to be the ‘workhorse’ championship. The title looks to be returning to prominence, and there may be no other babyface who seems more perfect for the title than Gargano.
He would be guaranteed to put on an array of great matches with the wonderful selection of midcarders that WWE has on the roster, and it would provide a great launching pad to something more too.
7 We Don’t Want - Cheesy Babyface Promos
WWE has had a problem for several years when it comes to booking babyfaces. With the way WWE promos often work, it makes for babyfaces to struggle being likable due to cheesy and cringeworthy jokes, statements, quips, and other forms of dialogue.
Gargano needs to avoid this and come across more natural and less robotic. If Gargano falls into the same trap that the likes of Ricochet, Drew McIntyre, and Ronda Rousey had fallen into under McMahon’s time in charge, then it could be difficult for him to succeed.
6 We Want - Feud With Tommaso Ciampa
Whilst some fans may have had enough of the rivalry between Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, there will be a wider audience who haven’t yet been clued into their storied history, as they have never met on the main roster.
Whether it just be one match or a small series, WWE should come back to their story at some point on Raw or SmackDown, especially due to their last match being a huge disappointment.
5 We Don’t Want - Too Many Matches With Tommaso Ciampa
Telling the Gargano and Ciampa story is easy enough, but WWE must get the balance right. In NXT, Triple H came back to their feud one too many times, with fans getting sick of it by the time they each left the brand.
If WWE decides to have them feud, it can’t be overdone with repetitive matches. There is a fine balance, and that must be found, but booking too many matches is something people don’t want to see.
4 We Want - More Depth To His Character
Following his recent return promo on Raw, it is clear that Gargano has gone back to his pure babyface roots, with him coming across as an everyday guy with a dream, and as someone who loves wrestling and loves his family.
However, that isn’t always enough to succeed, and if he is going to be a star, then it is necessary for him to find more depth and nuance to his personality. Although comparing WWE and AEW is often controversial, a great example of a babyface with nuance is with Adam Page, whose climb to the top should be studied by all who want to write a convincing and likable hero.
3 We Don’t Want - Overhyping
When a star comes up from NXT or debuts after a successful independent run, there has sometimes been a tendency to overhype a star, which ends up negatively affecting their run as expectations are too high. For example, when WWE billed AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura as a dream match, it was set up to fail.
Sure, there are many dream matches for Gargano on the main roster, but they shouldn’t be billed as such, because it makes it so much harder for the match to deliver.
2 We Want - Candice LeRae
It isn’t entirely necessary for Candice LeRae to realign with Gargano, but with him back in WWE, it feels like it is just a matter of time before LeRae makes a comeback too.
She has proven to be both a great babyface and heel, and she would fit right into the women’s division on the main roster, which is still in dire need for a lot of depth. Triple H certainly shouldn't bring back everyone, but LeRae is a clear and obvious choice to bring back.
1 We Don’t Want - Quick Heel Turn
Just prior to Gargano’s WWE exit, he had been portraying a heel in NXT. He was good in this role, but WWE needs to resist on turning him heel anytime soon, especially when he has so much potential as a face.
With Dexter Lumis also returning recently, targeting The Miz who just so happens to be teaming with Gargano former partner, Tommaso Ciampa, there could be some connection there which leads to Gargano and Ciampa realigning as a heel team. However, any sort of quick heel turn should not happen, as it would ruin his momentum.