In a post on social media, Johnny Gargano thanked all the fans who never gave up on him at a time when even he gave up on himself.

Addressing the reaction after Friday’s Smackdown where he got to wrestle WWE champion CM Punk in his hometown of Cleveland, Gargano said that while he would love to say that we saw his best during the match, that would be a lie.

“After laying around feeling sorry for myself for 8 months.. Mentally and physically.. I’m a work in progress.. But I guess we all are,” he wrote, before announcing that there will be no more laying down.

“Last night was the beginning.. not the end. It’s time to stand up, be myself and put in the work to become the man I was always meant to be. For you. For me. For those who still believe in Johnny Wrestling,” Gargano continued.

The former NXT champion had a “sleepy” year, always filmed laying down on things, even during photo ops.

He also added that it was an honor to represent Cleveland and wrestle the WWE champion there and the fans had his back even against the best in the world.

“All I’ve ever wanted to do was be your guy and make you proud,” Gargano wrote.