Johnny Gargano on today's WWE NXT: They're hitting their stride and producing fantastic TV

Although Johnny Gargano is no longer in WWE NXT, he keeps an eye on the product as he continues progressing on the main roster as part of the Raw brand, where he has reunited with Tommaso Ciampa as a tag team.

While speaking on the Battleground Podcast, Gargano was asked who he wants to work with from NXT. He named several stars, including former NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes and former North American Champion Carmelo Hayes.

The names

“I think they have done absolutely fantastic with their stories and what they've been doing.” He also named Wes Lee, who he thinks has done absolutely fantastic as well. 

Many fans have considered Gargano to be the heart and soul of NXT for years due to his strong body of work in the brand. While he's no longer on the roster, he's keeping a close eye on the product. 

“There's so much great talent in NXT. Literally, I watch the product every single Tuesday night,” Gargano stated. “If you were going to think, because I'm not a part of that brand anymore, I don't care, but literally, like NXT will always be in my blood, it's always going to be a place that I deeply, deeply care about and something I keep track of every single week. I'm a viewer every single Tuesday night, I promise, and I enjoy what they're doing out there. I feel like they're hitting their stride. They're having absolutely fantastic television.”

Praise for Dragunov

He called Ilja Dragunov a great NXT Champion and recalled being at the Performance Center a month ago, where he told him that he has taken that mantle and he's carried it proudly.

“He's done some unbelievable work, and there's a lot of guys there that I'd love to get in the ring with eventually,” Gargano added.