Pro wrestling isn’t all about giant muscle men anymore. Today’s roster of sports entertainers would rather play video games and watch anime then engage in some of the less-wholesome encounters of wrestlers from the ’80s and ’90s. It’s not unusual for these athletes to show their love of a particular fandom in the clothes they wear during a match, and this weekend, one pro wrestler shocked us all with his amazing choice of Bluey-inspired wardrobe.
On February 13, WWE held their annual Elimination Chamber premium live event, highlighted by the namesake match of the show. This bout pits six wrestlers inside an unusual structure covered in chains and steel as the combatants compete for a chance to challenge a champion at the company’s biggest show of the year, Wrestlemania. In this case, the winner of the match would be rewarded with the WWE US Championship, the first time this title was on the line during this particular match.
Pro wrestling entrances are usually a spectacle, but nobody was expecting a Bluey homage in this brutal setting. When Johnny Gargano entered the arena dressed head-to-toe in Bluey-inspired gear, I nearly did a Flair flop of my own. From his signature vest to his tights and down to his kick pads, “Johnny Wrestling” was ready to make his opponents slip on their beans – for real life!
Gargano was honoring the best cartoon dog dad, Bandit, with the signature blue colors and even the grey hairs seen on Bandit’s face – this time utilized in the designs on his knee pads. It was subtle enough that if you didn’t know, you would think it was simply a cool costume. For those of us embedded in the world of Bluey, this was an amazing sight that nobody expected.
Gargano has honored other pop culture icons, and famously donned gear with Marvel Comics characters like Wolverine and Venom. Opting for Bluey gear was a huge surprise, and one that cemented this former NXT Champion’s place into my personal wrestling hall of fame!
One of the most memorable spots of the match involved Gargano, as he climbed to the top of one of the pods within the chamber alongside Seth Rollins. As Rollins picked Gargano up for what looked like a spectacular high-risk powerbomb, Gargano reversed the maneuver into a hurricanrana that took out all of the opponents in impressive fashion.
Days prior to the match, Gargano posted pics on Instagram with his wife and fellow wrestler Candace La Rae, throwing a Bluey-themed party to celebrate the one-year birthday of his son, Quill. Gargano and “The Poison Pixie” spared no Bluey reference, complete with games of “Pass the Parcel” and, yes – even a duck cake (which Candace impressively made herself).
No one expected Gargano to take that one step further with ring gear devoted to his child’s favorite show (and likely the same for Johnny and his wife). An Instagram post from designer Jonathan Davenport revealed some Easter Eggs about this outfit that will make you swoon over Johnny even more, including a hidden quill to represent the name of Gargano’s son (and also a subtle Featherwand reference).
In case you’re wondering, Gargano unfortunately didn’t walk away with the win, losing to Austin Theory. However, he left the arena with the respect and admiration from Bluey fans and dads alike. We can’t all compete with Bandit, but Johnny Gargano seems like the kind of parent who would do Dance Mode in public and not even blush. That’s all it takes – suplexing the worry through a table and allowing your inner kid shine. Immersing yourself in their interests and likes goes a long way in forming lifetime bonds with them. My Mom knew the names of all my G.I. Joe figures, and if your daughter likes Elsa, you already likely know how blue nail polish feels on your fingernails. Speaking of, if you’re the proud dad of a little girl, don’t be afraid to get her into wrestling, too. Gender means nothing when it comes to body slams and being an ultimate warrior!
Disclaimer: This author posted a similar story on Rageworks.net, and is reposting it with adjustments with permission from the owner of that site.
