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WWE Plans Bigger Role for Underused SmackDown Star After CM Punk Match — Report

Live coverage and related reports for WWE Plans Bigger Role for Underused SmackDown Star After CM Punk Match — Report.

AI Story Summary

What happened?

WrestleZone reports that WWE is planning a bigger role for Johnny Gargano following his recent SmackDown match with CM Punk. The report frames the match as a turning point after WWE ended Gargano’s storyline centered on depression following Tommaso Ciampa’s departure from the company in January 2026. Nothing in the provided text confirms the exact creative plans or when the expanded role will begin.

Key Takeaways

WWE is reportedly looking to give Johnny Gargano a bigger role on SmackDown.
The shift follows Gargano’s match against CM Punk.
Gargano’s depressed storyline was said to have ended on last week’s SmackDown.
That storyline began after Tommaso Ciampa left WWE in January 2026.
The specific details of Gargano’s next creative direction were not provided.

AI Timeline

January 2026

Tommaso Ciampa left WWE, which led into Johnny Gargano’s depressed storyline.

Recent SmackDown storyline

Gargano was presented as struggling after losing his tag team partner.

Last week’s SmackDown

CM Punk offered Gargano a match, and Gargano finally stood up for himself.

After the CM Punk match

WWE is reportedly planning a larger role for Gargano.

Model: gpt-5.5•Generated: Sep 9, 3:15 PM

Sources Covering This Story

WrestleZone

Timeline

Sep 9, 3:10 PM

WWE Plans Bigger Role for Underused SmackDown Star After CM Punk Match — Report

WrestleZone • WWE

WWE is reportedly planning a bigger role for Johnny Gargano after his match against CM Punk. On last week’s episode of SmackDown, WWE ended Johnny Gargano’s depressed storyline, which began after his tag team partner Tommaso Ciampa left the promotion in January 2026. Gargano finally stood up after CM Punk offered him a shot at […] The post WWE Plans Bigger Role for Underused SmackDown Star After CM Punk Match — Report appeared first on Wrestlezone.

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