Luke Gallows recently spoke with the UK’s Mirror to promote November’s live events tour of the UK. November overseas tour.
After returning to WWE earlier this year for the first time in nearly 6 years, Gallows sees a lot has changed during his time away. “WWE was great before, but it’s even greater now,” he said. “A great locker-room, a great group of like-minded, motivated talents, a bunch of young men and women who are driven and have a real passion for our business and everything we do. It’s been a very pleasant experience. Karl Anderson and I were talking about this – I’ve been doing this for almost 15 years now and I haven’t been part of a better locker-room.”
At Clash of Champions, Gallows and partner Karl Anderson will get another shot at The New Day’s tag team championships. Gallows has big aspirations for his time in WWE, starting with capturing the gold this Sunday. “We’re three-time IWGP Tag Team Champions, but never been champions in the WWE, never at the pinnacle of sports entertainment. So for us, we know that we’re a pretty good tag team, but to actually prove that, we’ve got to go out and put ourselves in the record books by winning the tag team titles here. That’s goal number one right now – at Clash of the Champions we want to deliver a great match, a good performance, and come out as the WWE World Tag Team Champions.”
It’s hard to talk about Gallows & Anderson’s time in WWE without acknowledging the success of their former Bullet Club brother, WWE World Champion AJ Styles. Gallows is thrilled to see Styles’ success and truly believes he’s one of the top names in the business. “Just watch an AJ Styles match, watch AJ Styles do his thing,” he said. “There’s something special about him, he has that ‘It factor’ that you hear people talk about. He’s the kind of guy that will get you emotionally invested in the performance, I’ve been in the ring with just about all of them and I can tell you from experience he’s one of the very best. I’ve wrestled the top names in the business and I think that everyone would agree that he’s one of the top guys. He’s a gifted performer and he is someone who certainly deserves that best in the world moniker for sure.
Other topics discussed include performing comedy in with Karl Anderson, his previous WWE run and more. Check out the full interview Mirror.co.uk.
– After attacking The New Day during their in-ring celebration last night on RAW, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson cut a promo backstage talking about how The Club now runs RAW and SmackDown. They said New Day are nothing but jokes and The Club and they’ll days as WWE tag team champions are numbered. The two teams will likely settle their differences at SummerSlam and will be facing each other at WWE live events through September.
– After finally making his main roster debut last night on RAW, Finn Balor asked his Twitter followers if the debut was worth the wait. Balor has been trolling fans for months, constantly teasing that he’d be showing up on WWE television.
– AWA Superclash 2 is now available on the WWE Network in the Vault. The 5/2/87 event features Curt Hennig vs. Nick Bockwinkel and Sherri Martel vs. Madusa in the main events.
– Paige defeated Eva Marie in the dark match before tonight’s WWE Main Event tapings in Biloxi.
– After Luke Gallows took a shot at the New Orleans Saints during Monday’s RAW, the NFL team tweeted the following today:
@WWE tell @LukeGallowsWWE if he wants to talk trash about us come to our facility, some friends want to say hello ? pic.twitter.com/bNqMZu43Ef
Luke Gallows is reportedly becoming one of the most popular talents backstage, according to PWInsider. It’s said that Gallows’ demeanor and the way he talks helps to lighten the mood backstage and make everything more enjoyable.
Gallows is not goofing off or not taking the job serious, it’s just that he brings a levity to an environment where people are often “walking on eggshells” or worrying about their job.
– John Cena’s first match back from injury takes place on the May 30th edition of Raw in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
According to the official website of the Resch Center, Cena will team up with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose to take on the team of AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. This will likely be a dark match.
– According to this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there is talk within WWE of finding a woman to team with Kalisto to face Rusev and Lana in mixed tag team matches. Lana has been wrestling more frequently at live events in case the idea transpires.
Lana made her NXT in-ring debut at last Friday’s show in Lakeland, Florida. Teaming with Mandy Rose, the blonde bombshells lost to Carmella and Daria Berenato.
– The match was nixed from last Thursday’s WWE Smackdown but Luke Gallows vs. Roman Reigns in a non-title match-up will headline this week’s episode.
– Batista and his wife Sarah Jade talk to TMZ about her being crowned Miss Pole Dance America this weekend in Nashville. Batista mentions being in attendance and talks about how proud he was, how tough the competition is. He also admits to trying pole dancing in the past, adding that he made a fool out of himself.
– There has been speculation and rumors over Lilian Garcia’s status in WWE after not appearing on television the past two weeks. She indicated this morning that she will be back on Raw next Monday.
TY all 4 prayers concerning my sick family member. Prayers have worked & they r doing much better! I look forward 2 being bk w u nxt Mon 😘
– Speaking to CultOfWhatever.com, Luke Gallows discusses his original stint in WWE, getting the opportunity to work with childhood heroes Sting and Hulk Hogan in TNA, being a member of the Bullet Club, and more.
On his original stint with WWE (2006-2010):
My first gig in WWE was being imposter Kane, then Festus before my buddy CM Punk and I created the Straight Edge Society. The Festus character was the brainchild of Vince McMahon, he came up with it and I did it to the best of my ability.
During the time of the Straight Edge Society, CM Punk was really starting to become one of the top stars on television and they really began to trust him and would give him creative freedom to go out there. Just watching and learning from a guy like that was an awesome experience.
The way Punk could control peoples emotions and captivate a whole crowd, he is just a fantastic performer, he always was but that is when he was really stepping up and it was a really fun time for me.
On how he would describe Vince McMahon as a boss:
Vince has never been bad to me, I’ve heard people say things but he’s never been bad to me directly. I’ve not had a tonne of interaction with him, maybe I’ve been in his office two or three times. He kind-of directed us on some of the Straight Edge Society stuff as well as the Jessie and Festus stuff. Vince is a larger than life personality; you cannot but admire what he has done for our industry.
– As seen last night on RAW, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson wore jackets with the phrase “#GB 4 Life.” written on the jackets they wore to the ring. In response to social media speculation regarding what “GB” stands for, Gallows’ wife Amber confirmed that it stands for Good Brothers.
– Bray Wyatt checked in on Tuesday with an update about his looming return. The Eater of Worlds is recovering from a calf injury and should be back in action before next month’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view.
– The former Sterling James Keenan, WWE developmental wrestler Corey Graves, teased an appearance in the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match since it will emanate from his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsyvlvania.
– Luis Ignascio Urive Alvirde, who originally portrayed Sin Cara, turns 31-years-old on Sunday. Also celebrating a birthday today is former WWE performer Drew Hankinson (formerly known as Festus and Luke Gallows), who turns 30.
– WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley has been announced to appear at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo taking place April 25-27, 2014 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.
– WWE has signed a business deal with Flair to distribute The Bridge Direct’s WWE construction sets in the UK and Ireland.
Casey Collins, Executive Vice president of Consumer Products for WWE, said, “We are proud to be working with The Bridge Direct and GP Flair to launch this new chapter for WWE merchandising. We have had tremendous success by teaming with The Bridge in the US and have the perfect distribution channel with Flair to reach millions of WWE fans in the UK and Ireland.”
– Promoting his upcoming match against Matt Hardy for OMEGA Championship in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, former ECW competitor CW Anderson cut this promo taking exception to Hardy being known as an ECW World Heavyweight Champion for WWE. The 42-year-old labels WWE’s version of extreme as “Disney,” and that it’s not ECW. Matt Hardy has responded to Anderson with the following:
This match will be one of two matches held on Oct. 12 as part of the OMEGA Championship Tournament. Click here for event details.
– Luke Gallows is heading to Japan to wrestle for Pro Wrestling NOAH. He last appeared for TNA Wrestling as a member of Aces and Eights before parting ways with the organization in July.
– In what is being described as his “last chance,” Juventud Guerrera is returning to the Mexican-based promotion AAA. He hadn’t been used as of late due to disciplinary measures.
-In a rare turn of events when it comes to the recent Fan’s Choice voting segment of WWE live events where the options for Brie Bella vs. Natalya are a “Dance Contest” and a regular singles match, the fans actually voted for a regular match. As it turns out, it didn’t really matter, as they went ahead and did the same angle that they’ve been doing at all recent live events, with the two starting off in a Dance Contest, only for Bella to attack Natalya and turn it into an actual match.
-Wrestler birthdays for today include WWE Hall Of Famer Bruno Sammartino’s son, David Sammartino, who himself is a former WWE wrestler. Sammartino turns 53 today. Also, former WWE Superstar and ECW original Yoshihiro Tajiri turns 43 today.
-WrestleReunion will be running the Dorman High School in Spartanburg, South Carolina on Saturday, October 19th for a Special Olympics fundraiser. Scheduled to appear are former WWE Superstars The Nasty Boys, Demolition, Jimmy Hart, Dr. Tom Prichard, Luke Gallows and other pro wrestling personalities. For more information, visit WrestleReunion.com.
-The film “Riddick,” which features former WWE Superstar Batista in a key role, fell to number 14 at the box office this weekend at $1.62 million. In Australia, it was number eight.
-Sami Zayn and Bo Dallas, both of whom have been working random WWE main roster live events recently, will compete for the WWE NXT Championship at the next WWE NXT live event in Tampa, Florida on Thursday, October 3rd.
The following are highlights from a recent interview with former TNA Impact Wrestling star DOC.
On his recent release from TNA: “My contract expired July 12th and we were in negotiations for a new contract. What happened was strictly a business decision on my behalf and on TNA’s behalf I think. I have no hard feelings towards them. I wish them the very best going forward. It was just that at this point in time we could not get together on something that we both thought was fair for both sides so I moved on, they’re moving on. It is what it is and we may see each other down the line.”
“It all kind of came to play the same week that we were hearing about of these releases so there was a little bit of controversy surrounding that I guess, for that reason. It is what it is.”
On the recent releases in TNA: “You know, this is wrestling. Wrestling is a business where people get hired, people get fired, people come and people go and people come back again. That’s just kind of the nature of the beast so whatever’s going on there; if they’re restructuring the company budget wise or whatever it may be. It’s always initially a shock but in Wrestling these things happen. That’s something I tell young guys all the time, ‘when you come in, you’re gonna get fired. You just continue on.’ In this case I kinda left and it is what it is. It’s just the way that the wheels spin sometimes. I wish everybody there all the best. I had a lot of great friends there, the same as I did in WWE. I hope everyone lands on their feet and comes out OK that’s not with the company anymore.”
On what the transition is like from WWE to TNA: “It wasn’t really a transition at all because I had been working overseas independently for almost a year and a half when I took that TNA deal. I had been overseas and working in Japan. Probably 15 different countries on my own working independently. Then I did Ring Ka King in India. That’s when the heavy TNA talks came about. I portrayed an Outlaw Biker Character there which is of course my real personality anyway and TNA saw it, knew where they were going with the Aces & Eights thing and figured that I would be a nice fit. I’m glad that I went in there and took that role for the year that I did. It’s sad that the fans won’t get to see how that was all going to turn out but again that’s just how things go.”
On working with CM Punk and if the Straight Edge Society ended too soon: “Yeah. Punk’s said this publicly too. Everybody thought there were more legs in it but the fact is the group ended at Summerslam 2010 when we wrestled the Big Show because Joey Mercury tore his pec and he was going to be out of action. Serena got, whatever happened there, personal reasons or whatever, gets fired 3 days later. Then it basically fell apart from there for us. They wanted to move Punk to Raw so we ran into a wall at that PPV. I think it’s unfortunate.”
On whether or not the door is open for him to return to WWE: “I don’t think that that door ever really closes as long as you haven’t done something heinous. Yeah I would be open for a return in the future. Either place. I’m 29. I feel like I’m really coming into my prime as a Performers and I look forward to what lays ahead. Wherever it’s going to be. It’s going to be very fun, very exciting. The best is yet to come.”
– Luke Gallows was revealed as a member of Aces & 8s on Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling.
As Joseph Park was being beat down by a member of the nefarious faction, he ripped the assailant’s mask off, revealing the former WWE star. Gallows, who was not identified over commentary, then slammed Park through the table and left the ring as Sting and Kurt Angle hit the ring.
– On the Impact Post Show, Hector Guerrero appears after being called out by Kazarian and Christopher Daniels on Open Fight Night, who stop in later in the show. Magnus, Hernandez, Robbie E, Robbie T and Taryn Terrell appear as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_49Ek5oI78Y
– Chavo Guerrero, Hernandez and Tara appear at Direct Auto Insurance 211 S. 10th St. McAllen, Texas, today from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Call 956-664-2626 for more information.
– Sarita announced on Facebook that she will be heading to Japan next week for a two-month tour of joshi promotion Stardom.
“I’m very excited to announce that in less than 2 weeks I’ll be leaving for a 2 month tour of Japan with STARDOM, and to compete in the 5 STAR GP2012 tournament. I’ll miss you, Mexico!” she wrote.
Sarita, who regularly competes in Mexico, has not appeared for TNA Wrestling since mid-April.
-The official website of the Bowie Baysox is no longer advertising Drew Hankinson, who appeared as Festus and Luke Gallows in WWE, for TNA Impact Wrestling’s BaseBrawl event on Saturday, September 1 at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie, Maryland.
Hankinson competed in a dark match in June under the name Isaiah Cash and has reportedly appeared as one of the masked attackers of the “Aces and Eights” faction.
– The official website of the Bowie Baysox is advertising Drew Hankinson, who appeared as Festus and Luke Gallows in WWE, for TNA Impact Wrestling’s BaseBrawl event on Saturday, September 1 at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie, Maryland.
Hankinson competed in a dark match in June under the name Isaiah Cash and has reportedly appeared as one of the masked attackers of the “Aces and Eights” faction.
– In a “Bound For Glory Series” match Sunday in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Christopher Daniels defeated “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero to earn seven points. Dinero also lost a “Bound For Glory Series” match Saturday in Oklahoma City to James Storm. Tournament standings as of August 5 are as follows:
– Randy Orton, who is currently serving a 60-day suspension for his second violation of WWE’s Talent Wellness Program, was backstage at Monday’s Raw emanating from his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri.
– WWE Hall of Famer Edge has been announced to appear at the House of Hardcore’s debut on October 6 at Poughkeepsie, New York. Other talent slated for the show include Tommy Dreamer, Scott Steiner, Rick Steiner, Chris Masters, The Sandman, Daivari, Jazz, Luke Gallows, The Young Bucks, Hale Collins and Sami Callihan.
– The July 21 episode of A.M. Raw draw a 0.34 cable rating, with 377,000 viewers.
– Jim Ross commented on Monday’s Raw via Twitter: “I really enjoyed my time in St Louis..#RAW1000 was a heck of a production. Pleased I got to visit the announce desk. Thx WWE & Twitterverse.”
– A TNA Wrestling live event is scheduled for September 7 at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale June 29 at 10:00 a.m.
– Former TNA Knockout Chelsea was in attendance for last night’s Impact.
– Former WWE superstar Luke Gallows wrestled in a dark match prior to Impact. He wrestled as Isiah Cash and lost to Kazarian.
– After Impact went off the air, AJ Styles came back to the ring and continued to beat down Daniels and Kazarian. When Styles left, Daniels and Kazarian talked trash to the fans before heading to the back.
– Former WWE star Luke Gallows is backstage at tonight’s Impact Wrestling event in Orlando, Florida and scheduled to work a dark match.
– Tonight’s “Gutcheck” challenge will feature the competition’s first-ever female competitor; Taeler Hendrix of Ohio Valley Wrestling.
– A TNA Wrestling live event is scheduled for September 7 at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale June 29 at 10:00 a.m.
– TNA Wrestling will premiere a music video from Montgomery Gentry during tonight’s Impact Wrestling. Velvet Sky appears in the video.
— Reports this week of former WWE talent Nelson Frazier (a/k/a Big Daddy V, Viscera) appearing at WrestleMania Axxess are incorrect he is advertised to appear at a wrestling tour taking place in Georgetown, Guyana on March 31 and April 1. Other talent appearing include Tom Howard, Predator (a/k/a Sylvester Terkey), Butterbean, Domino, Daivari, Luke Gallows, Shad Gaspard, Paul London, Mike Knox and Raven. Bill Goldberg will also appear at the events in a non-wrestling capacity.
— Former WWE Diva Torrie Wilson has launched a fitness blog site at TorrieWilsonFit.com. In her first post she demonstrates glute training.
— Ted DiBiase and Rosa Mendes have been announced to appear at Walmart – 19501 NW 27th Ave, Miami Gardens, Florida on March 28. The autograph signing is open to the first 300 attendees and a wristband policy is in effect.
— Hiroyoshi Tenzan turns 41 years old Friday while Villano III turns 60.
— Former WWE announcer Todd Grisham, who now works as television anchor for ESPN, opened Wednesday night’s Highlight Express program on ESPNews by alerting viewers that he has a “yet to be passed kidney stone.”
“I’m not joking,” Grisham adds. The clip is available here.
— The March 26, 2012 Raw Supershow will be held at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. This is the final Raw before WrestleMania XXVIII.
— Former WWE star Luke Gallows stated Thursday on Twitter that he’s undergoing surgery on his broken nose today.
“Ready for surgery on my broken nose….Ill release my “Brother Rating” afterward….regardless, Ill rock SC this wknd!” he wrote.
— Former WWE performer Melina Perez denied rumors she has joined TNA Wrestling.
She tweeted Wednesday, “Everyone is so funny. I am not in TNA. If I go anywhere I would tell you all first!”
Her message is in response to a masked female combatant appearing at Tuesday’s Impact Wrestling taping in Orlando, Florida.
— Mr. Anderson is advertised face former WWE star MVP at Champions Showcase 2012, which takes place February 4, 2012 in Manila, Philippines at Smart Araneta Coliseum. More details are available here.
Other advertised talent include Carlito, Chris Masters, Shelton Benjamin, Snitsky, Luke Gallows, Shane Helms, Rhino, Daivari, Jimmy Yang, Billy Gunn, April Hunter and Jillian Hall.
— Jesse Neal’s first post-TNA appearance takes place this Saturday in Orlando, Florida for I Believe in Wrestling. He is scheduled to face J.D. Amazing.
Former WWE talent Harry Smith will be among the troupe of wrestlers traveling to Mumbia, India this week to tape the first footage for TNA Wrestling’s planned debut on the television network Colors.
California based independent wrestler Joey Ryan announced Monday on Facebook that he will participate in the project. He wrote, “Beginning this week, I will be working for TNA Impact Wrestling on their upcoming India project. I want to publicly thank David Lagana and Jeff Jarrett for the opportunity.”
Canadian based independent tag team Bollywood Lions—Gurv Sihra and Harv Sihra—have also signed on for the project. Gurv wrote on Facebook, “Excited to announce that my brother Harv and I have been signed on to take part in TNA Wrestling’s upcoming project in Mumbai, India! Very blessed and fortunate for this opportunity!”
Other talent reportedly scheduled for the project include Abyss, Alissa Flash, Arya Daivari, Chris Masters, Chavo Guerrero, Cliff Compton, Jimmy Rave, Luke Gallows, Matt Morgan, Nick Dinsmore, Shawn Daivari, Sonjay Dutt and Zema Ion.
— Since parting ways with WWE in August, Melina has been highlighting messages on Twitter which suggest that her relationship with John Morrison is not picture perfect. She retweeted the following recently:
“I haven’t met Mr. Right yet. But I have met Mr. Fake, Mr. Rude, Mr. Wrong & Mr. Player.”
She then wrote regarding the message, “But I pray 1 day I’ll meet Mr Right!”
— A character depicting Lex Luger appeared on a recent episode of the stop motion animated television series Robot Chicken. The clip can be accessed here.
— Former WWE star Luke Gallows suggested on Twitter that he’s now a tattoo artist. He wrote, “Just gave my first tattoo in Melbourne, Australia!”