Joe Coffey would like to see international talent have an easier path to clearing up visa issues, considering he went through the process himself.
Coffey and GBOT (formerly Gallus) recently made their MLW debuts. This came after a lengthy process that saw them dealing with visa issues after their WWE releases. Coffey, a Scotland native, previously said that he was essentially “landlocked” until things were sorted out. He explained to WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard everything they went through to return to competition in the United States, noting how expensive the investment is for talent.
“When you’re released from WWE as an international talent, you pretty much get 30 days to leave America, which, to be honest, I think is appalling. Especially when we were asked to move over here, and I got less than two years in NXT. There was NXT UK, but that’s a whole different story,” Coffey explained. “I don’t think it’s a great situation to be in. I think there should be some pathway for international talent to help with new visa applications, but you’re pretty much on your own.”
Joe Coffey had a long and slow rebuilding process
Coffey says they signed with Paragon Talent Group, the agency co-owned by former WWE star Dean “Mojo” Muhtadi and Steve Kaye. Paragon sponsored them and helped with the visa. However, they still ended up paying a lot of money to straighten things out.
“It still cost us about $13,000 out of our own pocket, which is an investment. And you’ve got to take the hit,” Coffey said. “But when you get released, that’s just another thing to add on top of everything else in life.
“So I can travel, and there are no restrictions right now, which is good,” he added. “It was really frustrating at the time because when you get released, you only have a certain window where you can really create a buzz. We had that completely taken away from us because we were international talent. It’s been a really long and slow rebuild over the past year.”
Joe Coffey says an ‘exit strategy’ would be helpful to international talent
Coffey was asked if he had any suggestions to make the separation process easier on foreign talent. For Coffey, it’d be helpful for the company that previously sponsored him to set up a pathway if they wanted to stay in the United States.
“They don’t necessarily need to pay for it, but just help organize things. That’s just my personal view,” Coffey said. “I’ve seen how much it can affect your life when you basically have to uproot and go again. When they want you over here, it’s snapping fingers. You’re trying to get everything done, and on the way out it’s just like, ‘Yep, see you later.’”
At the end of the day, Coffey understands that it’s just business. However, he’d still like to see international talent have a little more of a “softer” landing.
“But that’s just the way the world is and how business is done. I understand that. It would just be a little more helpful.”
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