The wrestling world was stunned when WWE released the entire Gallus stable in May, cutting ties with Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey, and Wolfgang despite their NXT Tag Team Championship pedigree. Now, Joe Coffey is pulling back the curtain on what really happened behind the scenes, revealing broken promises about joining Drew McIntyre on the main roster and the harsh reality of relocating his entire life for WWE.
The Phone Call That Changed Everything
Coffey’s release came at the most mundane moment possible – right after finishing a grueling workout on the stairmaster. When that dreaded Connecticut number flashed on his phone, he knew exactly what was coming.
“I got the number from Connecticut and I just — you know, you know, and you’re just like, ‘Ah well,’ and I was pretty short in the conversation because I was just frustrated about it,” Coffey revealed on the Refin’ It Up podcast.
The immediate aftermath was equally brutal. His brother Mark was sitting in the car after a tanning session when Joe delivered the crushing news, warning him that his own release might be coming next.
Broken Promises and False Hope
Perhaps the most revealing aspect of Coffey’s interview centers on the repeated assurances that Gallus would join WWE’s main roster alongside fellow Scotsman Drew McIntyre. These weren’t just rumors – they were legitimate discussions that WWE management had been having internally.
The timing seemed perfect, especially around Scotland’s Clash at the Castle event in Glasgow. Having three additional Scottish wrestlers backing McIntyre would have created compelling television and given the group a natural storyline progression.
“We heard for a long time we may be going to the main roster and doing something with Drew (McIntyre). Who knows? I understand Drew is on the run of a career and he’s doing some amazing stuff. But, we had little teases of it.”
The Survivor Series and Royal Rumble Teases
WWE didn’t just talk about promoting Gallus – they actively used the trio in main roster programs. Their appearances at Survivor Series and Royal Rumble as the only NXT representatives seemed like clear signals that bigger things were coming.
“That’s really strange, and a lot of people were talking about it and we thought, oh, maybe it’s gonna happen soon. But it didn’t happen,” Coffey explained, highlighting the confusion and false hope these appearances created.
The Overseas Gamble That Didn’t Pay Off
Moving from the UK to Orlando represented a massive life change for all three Gallus members. Coffey’s frustration becomes more understandable when considering the personal sacrifices involved in relocating internationally for WWE.
“Moving your life over here from overseas isn’t an easy task,” he noted, while still maintaining professionalism about his WWE experience. Despite his disappointment, Coffey praised the company’s staff and coaching team as “top-notch.”
The Transition from NXT UK to Regular NXT
Gallus originally joined WWE in 2018 as part of the NXT UK brand, building a strong reputation before transitioning to the American NXT after the UK division’s closure. This transition, while logical, may have reset their position within WWE’s hierarchy.
Untapped Potential and Teaching Responsibilities
One of Coffey’s most pointed criticisms involves feeling underutilized despite his extensive experience. Before WWE, he was main-eventing shows across Europe and had significant exposure on NXT UK programming.
“I feel as if I didn’t get to scratch the surface of what I can do in NXT. We were holding a lot of hands at times, which is totally fine and there’s a lot of people who aren’t from this world who are trying to learn and we were essentially helping teach them in the ring.”
This reveals an interesting dynamic where experienced wrestlers like Gallus often serve as unofficial trainers for newer talent, potentially limiting their own showcase opportunities.
The EVOLVE Assignment: Writing on the Wall?
The warning signs were there for those paying attention. Gallus hadn’t appeared on NXT television since December, instead being relegated to EVOLVE shows to help develop younger talent.
When asked if he saw the release coming, Coffey was candid: “50/50 to be honest. We’d been off NXT TV since December and we were doing EVOLVE which is like another kind of an offshoot show of NXT to help younger talent.”
The WrestleMania Weekend Professionalism
Even during WrestleMania weekend, working alongside The Rock, Gallus maintained their professional reputation. Coffey believes this reliability might have been both a blessing and a curse – making them dependable but perhaps not squeaky wheels demanding attention.
What’s Next for the Scottish Warriors?
Despite the disappointment, Coffey maintains that Gallus left WWE on good terms and remains open to a potential return. His professional approach throughout the process, even when feeling underutilized, demonstrates the kind of character that could serve him well in future endeavors.
The wrestling landscape has changed significantly since Gallus first signed with WWE in 2018, with more opportunities than ever for talented performers outside the company. Will we see the Scottish trio reunite elsewhere, or might WWE eventually fulfill those long-promised main roster plans with Drew McIntyre?
