Off-Air Notes for WWE SmackDown TV Taping in Cleveland (SPOILERS)

As previously reported, WWE held a double-TV taping for next week’s SmackDown and Raw in Cleveland last night. During the show, CM Punk offered Johnny Gargano a title shot, which finally got Gargano off his crate as he accepted the offer.

In the main event, Punk defeated Gargano to retain the title in Gargano’s hometown. After the tapings concluded, there was an off-air speech by CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, who gave the microphone to Gargano to speak to his hometown crowd. Below are some highlights of Gargano’s main event comments:

On Logan Paul and The Miz Not Counting as Clevelanders

“As a Clevelander, I want to clarify one thing. Logan Paul does not count! Logan Paul may not count; honestly, The Miz doesn’t really count. Miz is gonna hate this. Miz is gonna hate this. Miz’s dad does count! Mike’s gonna hate that!”

Johnny Gargano on Getting To Wrestle CM Punk in Cleveland

“As a Clevelander, I wanna say one thing: Back when I was just a fan sitting in those stands, I vividly remember a moment where a young CM Punk had a dark match here in Cleveland, Ohio, and as a fan, I remember seeing that and going, ‘That’s CM Punk. He’s one of the best in the world. He belongs here,’ and to be able to get in this ring in my hometown with the best in the world, with WWE Champion CM Punk, and main event SmackDown, guys, I am living proof for anyone out there in the crowd. If you have a dream, if you wanna do something, if you work hard enough, you can make anything happen in this lifetime.”

Gargano on Cody Rhodes and His Candice LeRae

“I put over CM Punk enough. I’m also standing in the ring with QB1. Cody Rhodes — a lot of people don’t know this because we don’t publicize it, but when I’m going through significant career choices, I reach out to this man right here because he and CM Punk both have paved the way for guys like me, and it is an honor — Candice too — I’m not gonna forget her, by the way. I’m talking a lot. Let’s give it up for Candice, everybody. What a great wife! She stood by my side for eight months while I planked on a box, and she never gave up on me. Just like I have never given up on you, Cleveland, Ohio. At the end of the day, I’m just a chubby eight-year-old kid with a dream, and I’m living it every single day because of you guys. Thank you guys so much. I love you!”

Gargano, LeRae, Rhodes, and Punk then celebrated in the ring together. Rhodes and Punk also hoisted up Gargano and LeRae on their shoulders to soak up the adulation from the hometown fans.

Next week’s SmackDown, which finally ends the extended angle where Gargano has been lying comatose backstage for eight months, airs on Friday, September 4. It will be broadcast at 8:00 pm ET on USA Network. A video of Gargano’s off-air comments is also available below:

Johnny Gargano addresses the crowd after Smackdown ended. (After his match with CM Punk.) #smackdown pic.twitter.com/qKIzID9erS

— 💀 Boogeyman 💀 (@DeathByAxe) August 29, 2026

If using any of the above quotes, please use an h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.