Joe Coffey (wrestler)
{{short description|Scottish professional wrestler}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
| name = Joe Coffey
| image = Joe Coffey April 2019.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Coffey in 2019
| birth_name = Joseph Coffey
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|5|22|df=y}}
| birth_place = Glasgow, Scotland
| alma_mater =
| spouse =
| children =
| relatives = Mark Coffey (brother)
| names = Joe Coffey
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}
| weight = {{convert|242|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| billed = Glasgow, Scotland
| trainer = Killian Dain
Finn Bálor
Johnny Moss
| debut = 30 May 2009
| retired =
}}
Joseph Coffey (born 22 May 1988) is a Scottish professional wrestler signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand as the leader of Gallus.{{cite web|title = Joe Coffey|url = http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=9843|website = Cagematch.net|access-date = 9 December 2015}} Coffey wrestles for many promotions in the British independent wrestling circuit,{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlezonescotland.co.uk/roster-new |title=Roster |publisher=Wrestle Zone Scotland |access-date=2017-01-27 |archive-date=25 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825181101/http://www.wrestlezonescotland.co.uk/roster-new |url-status=dead }} including Insane Championship Wrestling where he is former 2 time ICW World Heavyweight Champion and a former ICW Zero-G Champion.{{cite web|title = ICW: Joe Coffey|url = http://insanewrestling.co.uk/profile.php?id=19|website = Insanewrestling.co.uk|access-date = 9 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151211035837/http://insanewrestling.co.uk/profile.php?id=19|archive-date = 11 December 2015|url-status = dead}}{{cite web|title = Career « Joe Coffey|url = http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=9843&page=20|website = Cagematch.net|access-date = 9 December 2015}} Coffey has also earlier fought in Japan for Pro Wrestling ZERO1 where he became the first ever Scottish wrestler to perform in the Korakuen Hall.{{cite web|title = Matches « Joe Coffey|url = http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=9843&page=4&year=2012&promotion=13|website = Cagematch.net|access-date = 9 December 2015}}{{cite web|title = Joe Coffey — Pro Wrestling Elite|url = http://www.prowrestlingelite.com/wrestlers/joe-coffey|website = Prowrestlingelite.com|access-date = 9 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151211041241/http://www.prowrestlingelite.com/wrestlers/joe-coffey|archive-date = 11 December 2015|url-status = dead}} Coffey's younger brother Mark Coffey is also a professional wrestler and the pair often tag team together as "The Coffey Brothers".{{cite web|title = Coffey Brothers « Tag Teams Database|url = http://www.cagematch.net/?id=28&nr=4441|website = Cagematch.net|access-date = 9 December 2015}}
Professional wrestling career
=Insane Championship Wrestling (2011–2018)=
On 6 February 2011 Coffey made his Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW) debut at The Notorious ICW, in a match where he teamed with Vinnie James in a defeat against The Bucky Boys (Davey Blaze and Stevie Xavier). On 3 April, at Nightmare on Renfrew Street Coffey was unsuccessful at winning the ICW Zero-G Championship in a Six-Way Championship Scramble match won by Noam Dar. On 6 May 2012 at Up In Smoke! Coffey teamed with his brother Mark Coffey to defeat Andy Wild and Noam Dar in the First Round match of the ICW Tag Team Championship tournament. On 1 July at Insane In The Membrane The Coffey Brothers were defeated in the Semi Final match of the tournament.
On 31 July 2016, Coffey defeated Big Damo to win the ICW World Heavyweight Championship, only for Wolfgang to cash in his Square Go contract to win the title. On 16 April 2017 at BarraMania 3, Coffey defeated Trent Seven to become the ICW World Heavyweight Champion for the second time. After the match he aligned himself with Red Lightning after attacking Mark Dallas, turning heel in the process. At Shug's Hoose Party 4, he retained the title against Jack Jester in a steel cage match. Coffey would have a number of successful title defences of the championship over the next few months against the likes of Jack Jester, Pete Dunne, NXT's Kassius Ohno, and others. At Fear and Loathing X at the SSE Hydro, in front of ICW's biggest crowd to date Joe lost the ICW World Heavyweight Championship against BT Gunn in his second consecutive main event of that event. The following day via Twitter, Joe announced his departure from ICW after 6 years.{{Cite web|url=https://lastwordonprowrestling.com/2017/11/22/joe-coffey-finishes-icw/|title=Joe Coffey Finishes Up With ICW|first=Jamie|last=Greer|date=23 November 2017}}
On 29 April 2018 at Barramania 4, Joe returned to the company and challenged brother Mark to an ICW Zero-G Championship match at Shugs Hoose Party 5, which was later rescheduled for Fear and Loathing XI due to a clash with WWE NXT UK tapings. At Fear and Loathing XI, he defeated Mark to win the championship.
=WWE (2018–present)=
==NXT UK (2018–2022)==
{{Main|Gallus (professional wrestling)}}
Coffey's debut was made during the second night of the 2018 NXT At Download live event in Donington Park, Leicestershire, England where he eliminated Tucker in the first round of the NXT United Kingdom Championship Tournament.{{cite web|title=WWE U.K. Championship Tournament First Round results|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-united-kingdom-championship-tournament/article/first-round-results-download-festival?sf191436148=1|work=WWE|access-date=June 10, 2018}} He advanced to the semi-finals held on the opening night of the 2018 WWE UK Championship Tournament but was eliminated by Travis Banks.{{cite web|last1=Powell|first1=Jason|title=6/25 WWE UK Championship Tournament 2018 Day One live review: A tournament for a shot at the WWE UK Championship, Undisputed Era vs. Pete Dunne, Trent Seven, and Tyler Bate, Triple Threat for a shot at the NXT Women's Championship|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/06/25/6-25-wwe-uk-championship-tournament-2018-day-one-live-review-a-tournament-for-a-shot-at-the-wwe-uk-championship-undisputed-era-vs-pete-dunne-trent-seven-and-tyler-bate-triple-threat-for-a-shot-a/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=June 25, 2018|access-date=June 26, 2018}} Coffey joined the inaugural run of NXT UK on the October 17 episode during which he defeated Mark Andrews. On the November 7 episode of NXT UK, he reunited with his longtime tag team partner Mark Coffey and debuted in NXT UK as The Coffey Brothers.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/mark-coffey|title=WWE Profile|website=WWE}}
On the January 9 episode of NXT UK, Joe and Mark Coffey debuted their new stable name Gallus after joining forces with Wolfgang. They defeated team British Strong Style in a six-man tag match during this episode. On January 12 at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool, Coffey had a title match for the NXT UK Championship against Pete Dunne, where he lost. After the match, Coffey was hit by a Big Boot by a debuting Walter.{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=1/12 Powell's NXT UK Takeover: Blackpool live review – Rhea Ripley vs. Tony Storm for the NXT UK Women's Championship, Pete Dunne vs. Joe Coffey for the WWE UK Championship, Trent Seven and Tyler Bate vs. Zack Gibson and James Drake to become the first NXT UK Tag Champions|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/01/12/1-12-powells-nxt-uk-takeover-blackpool-live-review-rhea-ripley-vs-toni-storm-for-the-nxt-uk-womens-championship-pete-dunne-vs-joe-coffey-for-the-wwe-uk-championship-trent-seven-and-tyler-ba/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=12 January 2019 |accessdate=January 12, 2019}} On the May 8 episode of NXT UK, Coffey won a title shot qualifier for the NXT UK Championship after defeating Flash Morgan Webster. He advanced to the June 5 episode of NXT UK where he competed in a Number One Contender Fatal Four Way Match against Travis Banks, Dave Mastiff, and Jordan Devlin. At NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool II, Coffey lost a NXT UK title match against Walter.{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=1/12 NXT UK Takeover: Blackpool II results – Powell's live review of Walter vs. Joe Coffey for the WWE UK Championship, Mark Coffey and Wolfgang vs. Zack Gibson and James Drake vs. Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster vs. Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel in a ladder match for the NXT UK Tag Titles|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/01/12/1-12-nxt-uk-takeover-blackpool-ii-results-powells-live-review-of-walter-vs-joe-coffey-for-the-wwe-uk-championship-mark-coffey-and-wolfgang-vs-zack-gibson-and-james-drake-vs-mark-andrews-and-f/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=January 12, 2020|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423174429/https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/01/12/1-12-nxt-uk-takeover-blackpool-ii-results-powells-live-review-of-walter-vs-joe-coffey-for-the-wwe-uk-championship-mark-coffey-and-wolfgang-vs-zack-gibson-and-james-drake-vs-mark-andrews-and-f/|archive-date=April 23, 2020|url-status=live}}
On 30 June 2020, Coffey was suspended by WWE following sexual misconduct allegations that were made public as part of the #SpeakingOut movement.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=137583|title=NXT UK STAR SUSPENDED | PWInsider.com|website=www.pwinsider.com}} He returned to WWE later in 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://cultaholic.com/posts/joe-coffey-returning-to-wwe-nxt-uk|title=Joe Coffey Returning To WWE NXT UK|date=23 October 2020|website=Cultaholic}}
==NXT (2022–present)==
At NXT Heatwave, Coffey and the rest of Gallus made their NXT debuts, attacking Diamond Mine.{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/08/16/8-16-nxt-2-0-heatwave-results-moores-review-of-bron-breakker-vs-jd-mcdonagh-for-the-nxt-title-mandy-rose-vs-zoey-stark-for-the-nxt-womens-title-carmelo-hayes-vs-giovanni-vinci-for/|title=8/16 NXT 2.0 Heatwave results: Moore's review of Bron Breakker vs. JD McDonagh for the NXT Title, Mandy Rose vs. Zoey Stark for the NXT Women's Title, Carmelo Hayes vs. Giovanni Vinci for the NXT North American Title, Tony D'Angelo vs Santos Escobar in a Street Fight, Cora Jade vs. Roxanne Perez|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|last=Moore|first=John|date=16 August 2022|access-date=17 August 2022}} Gallus was suspended in September for attacking officials. Coffey returned at NXT Stand & Deliver, helping Gallus retain the NXT Tag Team Championship against Creed Brothers and The Family.{{cite web|last=McGuire|first=Colin|title=NXT Stand & Deliver results: McGuire's live review of Bron Breakker vs. Carmelo Hayes for the NXT Title, Roxanne Perez vs. Zoey Stark vs. Gigi Dolin vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Indi Hartwell in a ladder match for the NXT Women's Title, Wes Lee vs. Dragon Lee vs. JD McDonagh vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. Axiom for the NXT North American Title, Johnny Gargano vs. Grayson Waller|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/04/01/nxt-stand-deliver-results-mcguires-live-review-of-bron-breakker-vs-carmelo-hayes-for-the-nxt-title-roxanne-perez-vs-zoey-stark-vs-gigi-dolin-vs-tiffany-stratton-vs-lyra-valkyria-vs-indi-ha/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=April 1, 2023|access-date=April 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401231041/https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/04/01/nxt-stand-deliver-results-mcguires-live-review-of-bron-breakker-vs-carmelo-hayes-for-the-nxt-title-roxanne-perez-vs-zoey-stark-vs-gigi-dolin-vs-tiffany-stratton-vs-lyra-valkyria-vs-indi-ha/|archive-date=April 1, 2023|url-status=live}}
In April 2024, ESPN reported that Gallus help trained The Rock for his tag team match with Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns against Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth "Freakin" Rollins at Night 1 of WrestleMania XL.{{Cite web |last1=Coppinger |first1=Mike |last2=Raimondi |first2=Marc |date=4 April 2024 |title='Like riding a bike': Inside The Rock's return at WrestleMania 40 |url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/39866325/wrestlemania-40-rock-roman-reigns-cody-rhodes-seth-rollins-how-rock-prepared-return-wwe |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=ESPN |language=}} On the May 14, 2024 episode of NXT, and as the show was going off the air, the cameras went backstage, showing Wes Lee, Josh Briggs and Ivar assaulted backstage. The attackers were revealed to be Gallus, making their first televised appearance on NXT since the February 13, 2024 episode of NXT.{{cite web|url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/2024/05/14/gallus-lays-carnage-backstage-in-their-return-on-5-14-wwe-nxt/|title= Gallus Lays Carnage Backstage In Their Return on 5/14 WWE NXT|first=Nikunj|last=Walia|work=Ringside News|date=May 14, 2024|access-date=May 15, 2024}} Later, NXT General Manager Ava announced that Joe would replace Ivar on the triple threat match.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/joe-coffey-replaces-ivar-triple-threat-match-521-nxt|title=Joe Coffey Replaces Ivar In Triple Threat Match On 5/21 NXT|first=Jeremy|last=Lambert|date=May 20, 2024|access-date=May 21, 2024|work=Fightful}} The following week, both Coffey and Lee pinned Briggs, and the two men were considered the winner. Later that night, NXT General Manager Ava set up a triple threat match between Coffey, Lee and Oba Femi for the NXT North American Championship, where Femi successfully retained his title on June 9 at NXT Battleground.{{cite web|last=Moore|first=John|title=NXT TV results (5/21): Moore’s review of Joe Coffey vs. Wes Lee vs. Josh Briggs for a shot at the NXT NA Title, Thea Hail vs. Fallon Henley, and Brinley Reece vs. Jaida Parker in NXT Women’s NA Title qualifiers|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/05/21/nxt-tv-results-5-21-moores-review-of-joe-coffey-vs-wes-lee-vs-josh-briggs-for-a-shot-at-the-nxt-na-title-thea-hail-vs-fallon-henley-and-brinley-reece-vs-jaida-parker-in-nxt-womens-na-titl/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=May 21, 2024|access-date=May 21, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Valdez |first=Nick |date=June 9, 2024 |title=WWE NXT Battleground: Oba Femi Retains NXT North American Championship in Brutal Triple Threat |url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-nxt-battleground-matches-results-north-american-championship/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=ComicBook |language=}}
Personal life
Coffey is a supporter of Scottish football team Celtic F.C.{{Cite web|url=https://celtsarehere.com/top-uk-wrestler-set-to-wear-celtic-inspired-gear-to-worldwide-audience/|title= Top UK Wrestler Set To Wear Celtic Inspired Gear to Worldwide Audience|work=celtsarehere |date= 12 January 2019|accessdate=August 25, 2022}}
Championships and accomplishments
- Discovery Wrestling
- Y Division Championship (1 time){{cite web| url = https://www.cagematch.net//?id=5&nr=2499| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190218141826/https://www.cagematch.net//?id=5&nr=2499| archive-date = 2019-02-18| title = Y Division Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database}}
- Discovery Awards (4 times)
- Wrestler of the Year (2015){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=97&nr=316#2015 |title=
Wrestler Of The Year |access-date=2023-08-13 }}
- Match of the Year (2015) – {{small|vs. Chris Hero at Live in Edinburgh}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=97&nr=317 |title=Match Of The Year |access-date=2023-08-13 }}
- Match of the Year (2016) – {{small|vs. Jay Lethal at Superkick Party Vol. 2}}
- Match of the Year (2018) – {{small|vs. Christopher Saynt at Live in Edinburgh}}
- Insane Championship Wrestling
- ICW World Heavyweight Championship (2 times){{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=142465|title=ICW Shug's Weekender - Shug's Hoose Party 3 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|website=Cagematch.net}}
- ICW Zero-G Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-news.net/icw-fear-and-loathing-xi-results/115351/ | title=ICW Fear and Loathing XI results| date=3 December 2018}}
- ICW "Iron Man" (2014, 2015)
- Wrestler of the Year Award (2014, 2016){{cite web|title = ICW: Joe Coffey To Challenge For The ICW Heavyweight Championship at Barramania!|url = http://www.insanewrestling.co.uk/news/stories/Barramania_Joe_Coffey_Title_Shot/|website = Insanewrestling.co.uk|access-date = 10 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151211053116/http://www.insanewrestling.co.uk/news/stories/Barramania_Joe_Coffey_Title_Shot/|archive-date = 11 December 2015|url-status = dead}}
- Male Wrestler of the Bammy Year Award (2015)
- Square Go! (2017){{cite web|url=https://wrestleropesuk.wordpress.com/2017/02/05/insane-championship-wrestling-the-6th-annual-square-go-live-results/|title=Insane Championship Wrestling 'The 6th Annual Square Go!' FULL Results|date=5 February 2017|access-date=12 August 2017}}
- Pro Wrestling Elite
- Elite Rumble (2017){{cite web|url=https://hashtagwrest.wordpress.com/2017/03/19/results-pwe-prowrestleelite-elite-rumble-iv-title-change/|title=#Results: PWE (@ProWrestleElite) "Elite Rumble IV" *Title Change*|date=19 March 2017|access-date=12 August 2017}}
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 171 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2019{{Cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2019.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2019 - The Internet Wrestling Database|website=www.profightdb.com}}
- Scottish Wrestling Alliance
- Scottish Heavyweight Championship (2 times){{cite web|title = Titles « Joe Coffey «|url = http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=9843&page=11|website = Cagematch.net|access-date = 9 December 2015}}
- SWA Laird of the Ring Championship (2 times)
- Battlezone Rumble (2015, 2016)
- Target Wrestling
- Target Wrestling Championship (1 time)
- W3L Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Mark Coffey
- WrestleZone
- WrestleZone Undisputed Championship (1 time)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{wwe superstars|joe-coffey}}
{{ICW World Heavyweight Championship}}
{{ICW Zero-G Championship}}
{{WWE personnel}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Coffey, Joe}}
Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers
Category:Scottish male professional wrestlers
Category:Professional wrestlers from Glasgow