2. An Unlikely Duo
Next up is an idea that likely few have considered, but one that would work perfectly: moving Joe Hendry to SmackDown to spark a resurgence for Johnny Gargano. Ever since Gargano lost his tag partner, Tommaso Ciampa, effectively ending #DIY, he has been trapped in a storyline state of depression.
Since then, he has been relegated to a bizarre backstage gimmick, regularly spotted lying motionless on tables without saying a word.
WWE has been doing him a major disservice, as he is far more talented both in the ring and on the microphone than what management has recently showcased. Perhaps, in order to revive his classic “Johnny Wrestling” persona, he needs the right person to motivate him while injecting much-needed life into the tag team division at the same time.
That is precisely where Joe Hendry comes in to snap Gargano out of his current vegetative state. Hendry could officially transition over from Raw to SmackDown, bringing his star power to the blue brand and presenting Gargano with the perfect opportunity to team up and chase the tag team championship together.
Unlikely pairings have worked extremely well in the past, offering a blueprint that could easily revitalize today’s men’s tag team division. Just last year, for example, AJ Styles and Dragon Lee became massive fan favorites. At the same time, the current duo of Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair is a combination no one anticipated that has clicked perfectly.
Aligning Hendry and Gargano is a home run for everyone involved. It breathes new life into Johnny Gargano’s character while elevating Joe Hendry by showcasing that he isn’t just an entertaining microphone act, but a top-tier performer between the ropes. Ultimately, it’s a total win-win that gives the tag team division a major shot in the arm.
