Luke Gallows recently opened up about an unforgettable and bizarre first encounter with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, revealing how the legendary promoter pitched the character Festus to him during his early WWE days. In a candid interview with PWMania.com, Gallows shared a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into his initial meeting with McMahon, discussing how the Festus character came to life and how their unusual interaction set the tone for Gallows’ WWE career[4][3].

Gallows, who debuted in WWE as Festus, recalled the surreal moment when he walked into McMahon’s office right before his first TV match. “We were supposed to debut as Jesse and Justice Dalton, pig farmers in overalls. Then, right before our first TV match, they pulled us aside: ‘Vince wants to see you,’” Gallows explained[3]. At only 23 years old and never having spoken to Vince before, Gallows was taken aback by the meeting’s unexpected nature and the eccentric pitch McMahon made.

The WWE chairman began describing the Festus character — a slow, almost catatonic personality who suddenly “snaps” when the bell rings. Gallows laughed as he recounted McMahon’s vivid demonstration: “Vince starts doing the Festus face at me — tongue out and all — and makes me do it back. ‘No like that, goddamn it — like this!’ Here I am, 23 years old, never spoken to Vince before, and suddenly we’re sticking our tongues out at each other. Totally surreal”[3][4].

Despite this humorous and strange introduction, the Festus character quickly became synonymous with Gallows’ WWE start. He had to adjust his wrestling style for the role, which was unique and required a blend of physicality with a distinct, subdued persona that would flip when wrestlers rang the bell, creating a memorable TV presence[3]. Gallows has stated that the character was inspired by a story McMahon told him about knowing a catatonic individual as a child—a story Gallows suspects was fabricated but used as creative fuel[3].

However, Gallows’ WWE journey went far beyond Festus. After his early run, he reinvented himself multiple times, including stints as the Impostor Kane and later as a founding member of The Club (eventually The O.C.) alongside Karl Anderson and AJ Styles. The Good Brothers cemented themselves as formidable tag team contenders, winning RAW Tag Team Titles and making major appearances such as competing in The Undertaker’s final WrestleMania match in 2020[5].

Reflecting on his career trajectory, Gallows revealed that the whirlwind of WWE stardom and sudden release was a rollercoaster. Following their 2019 reunion as The O.C., Gallows and Anderson took part in the iconic Boneyard Match at WrestleMania before being released just 11 days later’—a shocking turn due to the COVID-19 pandemic-related cuts[1][5].

Gallows was re-signed by WWE in late 2022 when Triple H took over creative direction, but things felt different. In a separate interview with The Ring Report, Gallows said the energy changed notably when Vince McMahon unexpectedly returned to the company. “We’re in New York, getting ready to leave the building, and a limousine pulls up, and we see a mustachioed man pop out—it was Vince McMahon coming back for the first time. That moment definitely shifted the atmosphere backstage,” Gallows noted[2].

He said that from then on, the environment became “weird” as the company was preparing for a sale to TKO Group Holdings and restructuring. Gallows described the last year of their contract as “golden handcuffs” where he and Anderson were on the sidelines but awaiting their fate. “We love to be doing something, active, entertaining, and above all being professional wrestlers. So, spinning our wheels was frustrating but it was what it was—no hard feelings”[2].

Throughout his career, Gallows has been praised for his versatility and larger-than-life presence across multiple promotions including WWE, NJPW, and Impact Wrestling. Alongside his in-ring work, he has cultivated a strong connection with fans through podcasts like Talk’n Shop and mentoring the next generation via his Good Brothers Dojo[5].

Despite the ups and downs, Gallows’ story stands as an insightful example of the unpredictable nature of professional wrestling, especially within WWE’s volatile creative environment. His first odd encounter with Vince McMahon, featuring the now-iconic tongue-sticking moment, is a testament to the company’s unique blend of theatricality and improvisation behind the scenes.

According to reported sources from interviews with WWE insiders and wrestling media such as PWMania, PWTorch, and The Ring Report, Gallows’ reflections shed rare light on both the eccentric creative process of WWE’s chairman and the challenges wrestlers face navigating corporate shifts in modern wrestling[3][4][1][2][5].

For fans eager to explore more, Luke Gallows’ full interview on PWMania.com offers deeper insights into his journey in wrestling, his working relationship with Vince McMahon, and his experiences in some of wrestling’s most memorable moments.

This article incorporates information and quotes from recent interviews with Luke Gallows published by PWMania, PWTorch, The Ring Report, and Wrestling Headlines, ensuring factual and fresh content for WWE news enthusiasts.