- Drew Hankinson
-
Drew Hankinson
Drew Hankinson as Luke GallowsRing name(s) Big LG[1]
Deacon Deville[2]
Dorian Deville[2]
Festus[2]
Festus Dalton[2]
Freakin' Deacon[2]
Impostor Kane[2]
Johnny 99[3]
Justice Dalton[2]
Luke Gallows
The Masked Assassin[2]
Sex Ferguson[2]
Keith Hanson[4]Billed height 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)[5] Billed weight 291 lb (132 kg)[5] Born December 22, 1983 [6]
Cumberland, MarylandBilled from Chicago, Illinois Trained by Justin Kace[2]
Jim Hawkins[2]
Bill DeMott
DSW Training staffDebut January 22, 2005 Andrew "Drew" Hankinson (born December 22, 1983)[6] is an American professional wrestler. He was best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where he appeared under the ring names Festus and Luke Gallows. Drew Hankinson currently wrestles on the Independent Circuit as Keith Hanson.[5]
Hankinson was also known for his appearances as an impostor of the wrestler Kane, before his role as Festus, the tag team partner of Jesse, while they were part of the tag team Jesse and Festus on the SmackDown brand, from June 2007 until the WWE's annual draft saw the team separated during the spring of 2009. After a few months, he reappeared as the enforcer and "disciple" of CM Punk, sporting a cleaner, militant look, with the Festus character's "real identity" revealed as Luke Gallows.
Contents
Professional wrestling career
Early career
Hankinson began his career in West Virginia with Mason Dixon Wrestling and in Pennsylvania with the World Star Wrestling Federation (AWA/World Star Wrestling), Summit Wrestling Association of Southern Pennsylvania, and Maryland-based promotions National Wrestling League and the Eastern Wrestling Alliance,[7] wrestling as Dorian Deville, and for West Virginia's Championship Pro Wrestling as the masked wrestler, Dargon. In April 2005, despite failing to make it as one of the final ten contestants on the $1,000,000 Tough Enough, he was signed to a contract by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and was assigned to the Deep South Wrestling (DSW) developmental territory where he formed a partnership with Palmer Cannon.[2] Hankinson wrestled in DSW as Deacon Deville before changing his ring name to The Freakin' Deacon.
World Wrestling Entertainment (2006-2010)
Impostor Kane (2006)
As part of the promotion for the WWE produced movie See No Evil, the WWE ran a storyline in which May 19 was a significant date for Kane. The date was actually the U.S. release date for the movie in cinemas. Kane plays the lead role in the movie. The original plan was to have Kane defeat Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship on that date. This would be only 2 days before a major pay-per-view title defense between the champion Mysterio and challenger J.B.L.. However, Jacobs was aiming to take time off after the movie's release, but winning the title would not allow him to do this. So at Jacobs' request, an alternate storyline was produced.
On May 29, Kane was close to beating Shelton Benjamin for the Intercontinental Title. Kane won by disqualification when a second Kane (Hankinson) interrupted the match and attacked the original Kane. The second Kane, henceforth known as Impostor Kane, looked and acted exactly like the original Kane did when he debuted on WWF programming. As a result, Hankinson would repeatedly attack the real Kane during or after his matches. Ring announcers claimed that the identity of the Impostor Kane would likely be revealed to be someone from the real Kane's past. The pair finally faced off at the WWE Vengeance Pay-per-view. Surprisingly, Hankinson (the impostor) won the match using one of Kane's trademark moves. However, the crowd in attendance did not understand where the storyline was going and barely reacted to these events. One night later, the original Kane attacked the Impostor Kane, removed his mask, and threw him out of the building. This ended the storyline, and Hankinson returned to Deep South Wrestling.
Deep South Wrestling (2006-2007)
Hankinson returned to Deep South Wrestling, in addition to appearing at SmackDown! house shows as The Freakin' Deacon. In late January he formed a tag team with G-Rilla.
Festus (2007–2009)
Main article: Jesse and FestusOn the May 11, 2007 edition of SmackDown!, a vignette aired suggesting that Hankinson would be repackaged as Festus Dalton as part of a tag team using a Southern gimmick, alongside fellow WWE developmental talent Ray Gordy.[8] On June 2, 2007, however, it was reported that WWE was dropping the "Dalton Boys" gimmick. The explanation for them not showing up on SmackDown was because they got lost on their way to the arena. Hankinson and Gordy had actually been sent back to OVW and Hankinson changed his name to Justice Dalton. It marked the second time Hankinson had been dropped from the main roster.
Hankinson was then renamed "Festus", while Gordy was dubbed "Jesse", and on the June 29, 2007 edition of SmackDown!, vignettes hyping Jesse and Festus began to air. For weeks, Jesse would be presented as the mouth-piece of the tandem, who was in awe of his tag team partner. Hankinson, however, played a character that was mentally challenged and unresponsive. In spite of Festus' dim-witted nature, Jesse kept claiming that Festus was an emotionally driven and physically unstoppable giant. On the September 7, 2007 edition of SmackDown!, there was a segment featuring Jesse and Festus now actually in the arena rather than in a studio. On October 5, Hankinson won his debut match on SmackDown with his partner Jesse.[9] When the opening bell rang, Festus' personality changed into a very focused and angry competitor as compared to the mentally retarded character he had portrayed.[9] When the bell rang signifying the end of the match, Festus returned to his "normal" docile self.[9] On the December 21, 2007 edition of SmackDown!, Festus defeated Deuce in a Santa Match with both of them wearing Santa Claus outfits.[10] On the January 25 edition of SmackDown!, Jesse explained the reason that they had not been on television since the new year was because Festus has been seeing doctors about his "problems".[11] In reality Drew had surgery on his right shoulder, as evidenced by a very large new scar that can still be seen today.
In 2008, Jesse and Festus came out and before the bell rang Jesse explained that Festus had changed. However, Festus did not change and continued to make a determined and monstrous face after the bell had rung. On the March 21, 2008 edition of SmackDown, Jesse and Festus had a chance to face John Morrison and The Miz for the Tag Team Championship, although Morrison and The Miz retained their titles in this match.[12] Festus received his first loss when he wrestled against World Heavyweight Champion The Undertaker on the April 11, 2008 edition of SmackDown after passing out while in the Hell's Gate.[13]
On April 15, 2009, Festus was drafted to the Raw brand as part of the 2009 Supplemental Draft and, as a result, was separated from his tag team partner Jesse, who remained on SmackDown.[14] After this,he took a hiatus from Wrestling thus ending his the team with Jesse ( Later known as Slam Master J)
Luke Gallows (2009–2010)
Main article: Straight Edge SocietyAfter a six-month hiatus from television, Hankinson returned on the November 27, 2009 edition of SmackDown, repackaged as a villain under the name Luke Gallows, sporting a new attire with a goatee, shaved head, and having lost a considerable amount of weight. After accompanying CM Punk to the ring for his match with Matt Hardy, Punk revealed that Gallows was actually Festus' true identity and claimed that Gallows' family and friends enabled his alcoholic inclination, which led to him being in the mental state he was in as Festus, before stating that Gallows was cured due to Punk showing him the straight edge lifestyle.[5] On the December 11 episode of SmackDown, Gallows made his in-ring re-debut for the brand as he and Punk defeated Hardy and R-Truth after Gallows pinned Hardy with his new finishing move, the "Twelfth Step".[15] On the January 8, 2010 episode of SmackDown, Gallows defeated Hardy in his re-debut singles match.[16] The next week Gallows and Punk defeated Matt Hardy and The Great Khali, The Hart Dynasty and Cryme Tyme in a Fatal Four-Way match to become #1 Contenders for the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship. On the February 10, 2010 episode of Raw, The Straight Edge Society was eliminated in an Triple Threat Elimination Tag Match between them, The Miz and The Big Show and DX for the Unified Tag Team Championship. The Miz and The Big Show became the new Unified Tag Team Champions. At WrestleMania XXVI Luke Gallows competed in a dark 30-man battle royal to open Wrestlemania which was won by Yoshi Tatsu. On the April 13 episode of WWE NXT, he challenged CM Punk's rookie Darren Young and the stipulation, if Young loses, he will have to surrender his hair to Punk and have it shaved bald. Gallows came close to getting the victory when Young came up with a roll-up and saved his hair, with Punk showing some favor to his rookie and Gallows seeming unhappy. At Extreme Rules, during Punk's Hair match against Rey Mysterio, Gallows and Serena helped Punk throughout the match until they were banned from ringside. On the July 2nd tapings of SmackDown, after a match between Luke Gallows and Kane, a security video was shown by Serena of her being caught drinking in a bar by Punk on the same day of The Undertaker's attack proving The Straight Edge Society's innocence in order to save Punk. Serena begged for forgiveness even after Punk warned her not to, but the Straight Edge Society simply left without her. The following week, however, Serena was forgiven by Punk for her actions, as they embraced, but Gallows did not approve. The following week Gallows was set to fight Big Show but gave the match to the SES Masked Man, who was unmasked as Joey Mercury during the match. On the September 3 edition of Smackdown, Gallows and Punk faced The Big Show in a 2 on 1 handicap match, which Gallows and Punk lost. After the match Punk delivered the GTS on Gallows.
On the September 16th edition of WWE Superstars, before a match with MVP, Gallows cut a promo announcing that he was no longer part of the Society by proclaiming he was his own man. Gallows went on to lose the match. On the September 21st taping of Smackdown, Gallows began a face turn when he confronted CM Punk in a backstage segment stating that after defeating him, he would have a beer, but lost a match to Punk later in the night.
Gallows, now officially established as a face, defeated Vance Archer on the November 4 airing of Superstars.[17] His final TV appearance was during a backstage segment in which Kane was looking for his father, on the November 19, 2010, edition of SmackDown. Hankinson was released from his WWE contract on the same day, along with several other superstars.[18] Later that month, CM Punk would tweet regretting his loss.[19]
Independent circuit (2010-present)
Hankinson wrestled on December 3, 2010 as Keith Hanson, at a Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) event, where he defeated The Predator. On January 29, 2011, he lost to ECW Original Tommy Dreamer in a hardcore match at a National Wrestling Superstars (NWS) event in New Jersey. On May 29, 2011, Gallows debuted for NWA Rampage in Warner Robins, Georgia. Gallows defeated former Ring of Honor and TNA star by DQ after Rave's group, Jimmy Rave Approved, interfered. Afterwards an 8-man tag took place in which Gallows teamed with Kyle Matthews, J-Rod, & Frankie Valentine to defeat Rave, Sal Rinauro, Chip Day and Corey Hollis. On June 5 Gallows returned to NWA Rampage and lost to Heavyweight Champion Bull Buchanan. On June 14, 2011, Hankinson wrestled a tryout dark match for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), in which he was defeated by Gunner.[20]
He received some attention on July when CM Punk was pursuing the WWE Championship leading up to his departure in Money in the Bank 2011 as he was mentioned alongside Colt Cabana as one of the "voiceless".[21] On July 24th Gallows returned to NWA Rampage in a 4-corners elimination match for the NWA Rampage heavy-weight title also featuring Bull Buchanan, Rob Adonis, & J-Rod. Gallows eliminated J-Rod before being eliminated by Adonis.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- As Keith Hanson
- As Luke Gallows
- Gallows Pole[22] / Twelfth Step[15] (Inverted full nelson lifted and dropped into a modified spinebuster)
- As Festus
- Festus Flip[23] (Fireman's carry flapjack)[24][25]
- Sitout gutbuster drop[26] – 2007
- As (The) Freakin' Deacon
- Deacon Death Drop (Inverted DDT)[6]
- Powerbomb[2]
- Signature moves
- Entrance themes
- "Out of the Fire" by Jim Johnston (as Imposter Kane)
- "Biscuits & Gravy" by Jim Johnston[32] (as Festus)
- "This Fire Burns" by Killswitch Engage (used while a part of the Straight Edge Society, as Luke Gallows)
- "Massacre" by Jim Johnson[33] (as Luke Gallows)
- "Down with the Sickness" by Disturbed (independent circuit)
Championships and accomplishments
- National Wrestling League
- NWL Super Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[34]
- World Wrestling Xtreme (Australia)
- WWX Heavyweight Championship (Current)
- Vanguard Championship Wrestling
- VCW World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[36]
Notes
- ^ Alvarez, Bryan (2010-11-20). "Sat update: UFC tonight, Survivor Series notes, Michaels accident, more releases, Tiffany talks, etc". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/18400/. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Festus Profile". Online World of Wrestling. http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/l/luke-gallows.html. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (October 24, 2011). "October 24 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2011 Hall of Fame issue, GSP down, Bound for Glory and Bobby Roode, Hogan vs. Sting, giant issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter (Campbell, CA): 37. ISSN 10839593. "Jeff Katz’s Wrestling Revolution Project taped its first season in Los Angeles this past week. [...] Among the best matches were Hyde vs. Lord of War, Hyde vs. Killshot and Cornerstone vs. Johnny 99 (Luke Gallows)."
- ^ a b "IGF "BOM-BA-YE 2010″, AJP, DDT & Osaka Pro Results for Dec. 3rd, 2010!". Puroresu Spirit. 2010-12-03. http://www.pwponderings.com/puroresuspirit/2010/12/03/igf-bom-ba-ye-2010-ajp-ddt-k-dojo-osaka-pro-results/. Retrieved 2010-12-18.
- ^ a b c d "WWE Bio". World Wrestling Entertainment. http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/lukegallows/bio/. Retrieved 2009-11-27.[dead link]
- ^ a b c "Luke Gallows". Gerweck. http://www.gerweck.net/drewhankinson.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
- ^ Eastern Wrestling Alliance Maryland: Alumni
- ^ Starr, Noah (2007-05-11). "In with the new". World Wrestling Entertainment. http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/05112007/. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
- ^ a b c Dee, Louie (2007-10-05). "Locked in". WWE. http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/10052007/. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
- ^ Lennie DiFino (2007-12-21). "Saint Nick slugfest". World Wrestling Entertainment. http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/12212007/. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
- ^ Passero, Mitch (2008-01-25). "On their way to Madison Square Garden". World Wrestling Entertainment. http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/01252008/. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
- ^ Passero, Mitch (2008-03-21). "Full Moon Con-Chair-To". World Wrestling Entertainment. http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03212008/. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
- ^ Passero, Mitch (2008-04-11). "Peace, Coldslop and The Deadman’s way". World Wrestling Entertainment. http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/04112008/. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
- ^ "2009 WWE Supplemental Draft results". World Wrestling Entertainment. 2009-04-15. http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2009draft/2009supplementaldraftresults/. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
- ^ a b "Luke Gallows and CM Punk vs. R-Truth and Matt Hardy". http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/12112009//.
- ^ a b "Luke Gallows vs. Matt Hardy". http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/results/13160034/.
- ^ Murphy, Ryan (November 4, 2010). "Soaring to new heights". World Wrestling Entertainment. http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwesuperstars/results/16183236/. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
- ^ "WWE Superstars released". World Wrestling Entertainment. 2010-11-19. http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/wwesuperstarsreleased. Retrieved 2010-11-19.
- ^ WrestleZone about Punk's twitter
- ^ "TNA News: Impact SPOILERS 6/23, backstage news & notes from Tuesday's TV taping, top match for Destination X". Pro Wrestling Torch. 2011-06-14. http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_50775.shtml. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ CM Punk "Voice of the Voiceless" Brings Up Luke Gallows & Colt Cabana (WWE Raw 7/11/11), 7-9 seconds: "You want to punish people for actually liking professional wrestling? Guys like Colt Cabana, guys like Luke Gallows, huh? You will apologize to me for them because they can't be here right now and they can't stand up to you and they can't let their voice be heard. I am CM Punk and I am the voice of the voiceless, and you will apologize and you will like it."
- ^ a b c d Parks, Greg (2010-01-08). "PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 1/8: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Batista vs. Rey Mysterio for a shot at the World Title". PWTorch. http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_37991.shtml. Retrieved 2010-01-13.
- ^ Cassidy, Haslett (2008-05-04). "WWE SmackDown! April 4, 2008 Results". Wrestling 101. http://www.wrestling101.com/101/newsitem/5528/. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ a b Keller, Wade (2008-06-08). "KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 7/4: Edge-Vickie break-up, Matt Hardy defends U.S. Title, Jeff Hardy vs. Morrison, Triple H on Lounge". PWTorch. http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_26135.shtml. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
- ^ Tedesco, Mike (2008-10-11). "Smackdown Results - 10/10/08 - Spokane, WA". WrestleView. http://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2008/1223742947.shtml. Retrieved 2010-01-13.
- ^ a b Rivers, Chris (2007-10-06). "10/5 WWE Smackdown review by Rivers: Rey Mysterio vs. Great Khali, Noble vs. Wang Yang". PWTorch. http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_23036.shtml. Retrieved 2010-01-13.
- ^ a b c Parks, Greg (2010-03-05). "PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 3/5: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Edge vs. Big Show". PWTorch. http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_39601.shtml. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
- ^ a b c d Trionfo, Richard (2010-09-16). "WWE SUPERSTARS REPORT: ARE SANTINO AND TAMINA A COUPLE?; NO TAG TITLE MATCH YET FOR SUNDAY; LUKE HAS HIS FIRST POST-SES MATCH". PWInsider. http://www.pwinsider.com/article/50940/wwe-superstars-report-are-santino-and-tamina-a-couple-no-tag-title-match-yet-for-sunday-luke-has-his-first-postses-match.html?p=1. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
- ^ Valdez, Vince (2008-08-15). "8/15 WWE Smackdown: Valdez's "alt perspective" report of final SummerSlam hype (debut)". PWTorch. http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_26558.shtml. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
- ^ a b Trionfo, Richard (2007-11-04). "SMACKDOWN REPORT: CM PUNK ON NEXT WEEK, REMATCH AT SURVIVOR SERIES ANNOUNCED". PWInsider. http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=27421&p=1. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
- ^ Lowie, David (2007-10-14). "10/13 WWE in Brussels, Belgium: Batista vs. Rey vs. Khali, MVP vs. Hardy, Punk vs. Morrison". PWTorch. http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_23154.shtml. Retrieved 2010-01-13.
- ^ "WWE: The Music, vol. 8 (Audio CD)". Sony BMG. http://shop.myplay.com/WWE-The-Music-vol.-8/A/B0013K6WL2.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
- ^ "Massacre (Legal Title)". BMI. http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=11718932&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID. Retrieved 2009-07-09.
- ^ Tsakiries, Phil. "NWL Heavyweight Championship history". Solie. http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/hwtnwl.html. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
- ^ ""PWI 500": 1–100". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 2010-07-30. http://prowrestlingillustrated.blogspot.com/2010/07/pwi-500-1-100.html. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
- ^ "VCW Heavyweight Championship history". Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. http://web.archive.org/web/20071011131802/http://vcw-wrestling.com/history.htm.
References
- Cagematch.net profile (In German)
- The NWL Heavyweight Championship at the Wrestling Information Archive
- The VCW Heavyweight Championship at VCW-Wrestling.com
External links
Categories:- 1983 births
- American professional wrestlers
- Living people
- People from Cumberland, Maryland
- Finishing moves
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