Tragedy hit Johnny Gargano’s family last night.
A fire at Gargano’s Restaurant & Catering burned the establishment to the ground. The restaurant has been in the family for 50 years.
The news hits the family especially hard because the Gargano family was expecting many wrestling fans as SummerSlam is in Cleveland this year.
Thankfully, nobody was in the building when the fire began and a firefighter suffered only minor injuries fighting the blaze.
#CLEFIREONSCENE fire in an occupied restaurant/hall at W.25/Marvin in B4. 2nd Alarm struck bringing additional companies and resources to fire. 11 companies and nearly 50 firefighters on scene. Fire has been called under control. No injuries reported. Cause under investigation. pic.twitter.com/W7GkssAjbz
— ClevelandFire (@ClevelandFire) July 22, 2024
“He is 82 years old, this is his life’s work. He has worked in that building every day for almost 50 years. I basically grew up there.. and now it’s just gone. It is extremely heartbreaking for my family,” wrote Gargano of his father.
I figured I should touch on this because people are finding out, and I know a lot of wrestling fans were looking forward to going to my Dad’s restaurant when they were in Cleveland for Summerslam.
Last night, there was a fire, and my Dad’s restaurant was badly damaged. I’m… pic.twitter.com/tQnWFATfR6
— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) July 22, 2024
UPDATE on W.25th: water main break forced companies to relay water from distant hydrants. Fire resumed, the roof collapsed, parapets fell. Companies were able to protect exposures, including a gas station, but the fire building was lost. One firefighter suffered minor injury. pic.twitter.com/mWkpgIjJSG
— ClevelandFire (@ClevelandFire) July 22, 2024
As fans might remember, the restaurant was featured on NXT television when Adam Cole was feuding with Gargano in 2019.
Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa are the current WWE Tag Team Champions.
TOP PHOTO: The scene of the fire. Courtesy: Cleveland, Ohio Division of Fire on X.
RELATED LINK
- Slam Wrestling’s Johnny Gargano story archive