‘WWE NXT’ on USA: Get To Know Johnny Gargano & Adam Cole With These Two Must-See Indie Documentaries

One of the most enjoyable aspects of professional wrestling is its subjectivity. Fans rarely unify to the point of unanimity, but when they do it’s transcendent. Daniel Bryan’s seemingly fated ascent to the WrestleMania 30 main event; the rise of Kofi-Mania; Becky Lynch’s transformation into “The Man;” these organic movements galvanized a fanbase and reminded us of why we watch this sport in the first place. Two additional performers who’ve reached the rarefied air of unconditional fan support are indie wrestling darlings turned NXT standouts Johnny Gargano and Adam Cole (Bay-Bay!).

In the spring of 2019, Gargano and his former tag-team partner turned blood rival Tommaso Ciampa were scheduled to compete in the main event of the biggest NXT show of the year, NXT TakeOver: New York. Their long-simmering story of friendship and betrayal was epic, and the thematic brilliance was only topped by the duo’s in-ring performances. The pair delivered two match-of-the-year candidates — first at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans and then at NXT TakeOver: Chicago 2 — before a neck injury suffered by Ciampa robbed the two of the chance to pen the final chapter of their historic rivalry. Fans were understandably devastated, but as the old adage goes, the show must go on. Needing a replacement main event for their biggest show of the year, NXT TakeOver: New York was headlined by Johnny Gargano vs. Adam Cole in a two-out-of-three falls match for the vacant NXT Championship.

The third meeting between Gargano and Ciampa was going to be the culmination of a narrative that began all the way back in 2015, while Gargano and Cole had mere weeks to cobble together a story for their match. Despite Cole’s well-earned reputation for being one of the best all-round performers in the sport, the odds were overwhelmingly against these two delivering anything that could mirror the four-year journey of Gargano and Ciampa. The match would be superb, obviously, but Gargano and Cole couldn’t simply out wrestle four years of story, right?

Turns out, they can. The now legendary match earned a rare and statistically impossible 5.5 out of 5 stars from famed wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, which according to his ratings system makes Gargano/Cole the highest-rated match in WWE history. Which match came in second on Meltzer’s list of highest-rated WWE matches? You guessed it, Marty Jannetty vs. the Repo Man from a 1992 episode of Prime Time Wrestling.

Just kidding. It was the rematch between Gargano and Cole that took place two months later at NXT TakeOver: XXV. Jannetty vs. Repo Man is fourth on the list.

Later tonight, WWE NXT debuts on the USA Network. If you’re feeling conflicted about the company’s move to the mainstream, you’re not alone. On one hand, you can’t help but feel joy for Triple H and the wrestlers, writers, and producers responsible for transforming NXT into the beating heart of pro wrestling. Then again, the whole situation has a very “your mom and dad just discovered your favorite indie band” feeling to it, which makes sense. Professional wrestling thrives in the gray area between two extremes. Instead of pontificating about an unknowable future, let’s instead celebrate the past.

A couple of years ago, filmmaker Kenny Johnson produced two short documentaries that’ll reignite your love of professional wrestling: Adam Cole is a Bad Guy (Not Really) and A Johnny Gargano Documentary. Streaming for free on YouTube, both films highlight Cole and Gargano’s enduring love of wrestling as they compete on the indie circuit. Long before they were main eventing TakeOvers, Cole and Gargano were just two wrestlers with nothing more than a dream and a superkick. It’s fascinating to watch young Adam Cole talk about his wrestling philosophy and witness Johnny Gargano come to the realization that he’s a role model. Both wrestlers are just so passionate, so endearingly earnest, that you can’t help but smile knowing that these two crazy kids will one day team up to have what some consider to be the greatest match in WWE history.

These short documentaries (the Cole film is only 12-minutes long, while the two-part Gargano film has a 24-minute runtime) aren’t just essential viewing for wrestling fans, but they’re absorbing, heart-warming films for anyone who’s ever chased a near-impossible dream.

WWE NXT premieres tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET on the USA Network. Both Adam Cole is a Bad Guy and A Johnny Gargano Documentary can be found on Kenny Johnson’s YouTube page.

Where to stream A Johnny Gargano Documentary