Samoa Joe Talks His Unique WWE Contract And Being In WWE

We've noted how Samoa Joe had reportedly signed a full-time WWE contract after impressing officials with his work at the recent NXT tapings and due to the success of his t-shirt sales.

The new deal will not see Joe go straight to the main roster as he will be a focal point of NXT for a few months. Obviously Joe is expected to end up on the main roster, possibly fast-tracked as they've done with Kevin Owens.

Regarding Joe and Ring of Honor, he is still teaming with AJ Styles to face Kazarian and Daniels at the July 20th ROH TV tapings and this will likely be Joe's farewell but the company was looking at using Joe for more dates until the news came out about the full-time deal with WWE. We've noted that Joe will still be fulfilling all indie dates that are scheduled but WWE will likely come first if they needed him on a date that was already booked for an indie.

Samoa Joe on now being 'WWE Super Star Samoa Joe' and his unique contract:

"Careers and fate have a funny way of working, and I guess a lot of people, myself included at some point, didn't think that those were words that would be said together - but here we are now and I'm very happy with it."

"It's a real new concept and I was definitely the test case for the new deal that I have. And it was definitely something that they felt would be beneficial for wrestlers who have an established career and aren't really new to the game, in a sense of speaking. […] I was really mattered that I was a part of that first initial run of test cases to try that concept out, and I hope it leads to over very talented individuals getting a chance to join the ranks of WWE."

Samoa Joe on his storied independent career, coming to NXT and his plans for the future

Samoa Joe recently spoke to WWE's website about his arrival at NXT, getting into wrestling, Ring of Honor, Seth Rollins, CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and more. Below are a few highlights:

WWE.COM: You’ve been in some independent locker rooms lately. What’s the reputation NXT has outside of WWE?

JOE: The reputation NXT has is hard to describe. It’s this newness, there’s a tremendous hype to it. People are seeing the leaps and bounds that are being made with the types of talent filtering through NXT. Like the women, I watched one of the best matches I’ve seen all year with Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks [at NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable]. There’s a lot of hype and I know a lot of guys now on the indies would like to see themselves in NXT. They don’t view it as a B-level, AAA ball club. They see it as an exciting place that people are talking about and love the matches coming out of NXT.

WWE.COM: Is there anyone else [besides Kevin Owens] in NXT you have your eye on?

JOE: Absolutely. Finn Bálor is someone I’ve had experience with. I helped start the New Japan Dojo in Los Angeles. I remember seeing him and what he was able to do. And now, he’s No. 1 contender, so if it’s not going to be Kevin, it’s going to be [Bálor]. Tyler Breeze is a tremendous athlete, but he’s far too pretty. It bugs me. Eventually, when he comes back, Hideo Itami, too. We’ve locked up over the years and had our fair share of wars. I’m more than happy to have another with him. There are a lot of unresolved personal issues there. Hopefully, we can get into the ring and sort them out.

WWE.COM: Beyond the NXT Title, do you have any other goals in WWE?

JOE: At some time, I would love to make a trip up to the main roster and wreak my brand of havoc. So many people I’ve come up with have succeeded in WWE. Though I thought the opportunity would never present itself, I’m here now. I’m in the best shape of my career and I’m more than happy to fulfill the destiny that has eluded me for far too long, and that’s to be the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.

Full interview

WWE NXT Takeover: Unstoppable Results

Samoa Joe Makes WWE Debut at NXT Takeover

Samoa Joe made his shocking WWE debut at NXT Takeover: Unstoppable.

During the show’s main event, NXT Champion Kevin Owens brutally assaulted challenger Sami Zayn following a pop-up powerbomb on the ring apron. Medics and officials tended to the fallen Superstar, but the champion continues his assault for several minutes, including a knee to the back of the head and a barrage of stiff right hands.

When Owens attempted to beating back into the ring, NXT General Manager William Regal rushed down and physically attempted to stop him, but was thrown from the fray and the assault continued. When a steel chair was brought into the ring, Samoa Joe made his surprise entrance from the locker room and backed down the 265-pound champion, allowing medics to finally check on an unconscious Sami Zayn.

Triple H NXT Media Call Recap: Sami Zayn And Hideo Itami Update, NXT Touring Plans, Samoa Joe, More

* Triple H apologizes for his voice and says "with a nose like mine, changing allergy zones three times" is a bad thing.

* HHH puts over Charlotte and Sasha Banks headlining an NXT live event last week. He wants them to change the perception of what women do in the industry.

* The NXT tours will continue. He's looking at festival touring and some international shows as well. He wants NXT to be a full brand by next year.

* HHH thanked ESPN and Jeremy Schapp. He said he hopes that they can work together more, or produce more of those for the Network.

* Sami Zayn has been cleared, an will compete.

* HHH thinks Becky/Sasha could steal the show.

* Matt Bloom has been promoted to permanent head coach at NXT. Sara Del Rey is assistant head coach now.

* Sara Del Rey is still working as a road agent as well.

* He already considers NXT an additional brand. He wants to find what's best suited for NXT. Things that work on the main roster may not work in NXT.

* Triple H wants NXT on the road 3 days a week by 2016. He wants NXT to have a two-tour function eventually. He doesn't want to lose the homegrown fans in Flordia, either.

* Triple H doesn't care if someone has indy experience or not, but having experience helps.

* He doesn't know if NXT will become a cable TV show. He's happy where they are on the WWE Network. Triple H sees NXT as a selling point for the Network, too.

* Hideo Itami will be represented, but will not be wrestling tomorrow night.

* While NXT is a third brand, it's still there to get people ready for the main roster, Triple H says. He says the best problem he can have is Vince calling him in the middle of a hot angle and asking for that star.

* Triple H says that there are several talents in NXT ready for the main roster, but there aren't spots for them, or else they'd be there.

* HHH says WWE developmental is a young man's game. He says it takes a while for them to get talent up to speed.

* Triple H says he likes Ring of Honor and Dragon Gate. He says he's not trying to make NXT a direct competition to them. He wants to make the best roster that he can. He thinks if NXT's business grows, so will RoH's. He said he'd love to help support ROH and grow.

* Triple H says there are talents that said they turned down NXT deals for ROH. He says they haven't spoken to those talents on any level.

* Triple H says he wanted to make NXT an individual brand from day 1, but didn't tell anyone that.

* Triple H thinks Samoa Joe is a phenomenal talent. Says he was at the performance center a month or two ago. He doesn't know if they'll do business. He said they only spoke for about five minutes, and it was mostly pleasantries.

* He says there are plenty of talents that won't make it on the main roster, and gimmicks that won't work on the main roster.

* Vince McMahon doesn't see all of NXT. Triple H shows him bits and pieces.

* HHH doesn't see Cena going anywhere. He thinks it's great that Cena is confident enough to give younger stars a time to shine. Time pushes people to move to different roles.

* Someone asks about Emma. Triple H says it's more than possible for her to get back in the title picture.

* Triple H says Vince McMahon was blown away by the NXT show WrestleMania weekend. Triple H didn't know Vince would be there until last minute. McMahon messaged him and said he'd be there. Triple H said that several WWE executives came and were impressed, and wanted to do more with it.

* Triple H puts over the progress of Sami Zayn working without a mask and Baron Corbin.

* There aren't plans of an all-female NXT show or special, but it could happen.

* Nothing in NXT was by accident. He had a vision for this.

* The majority of the fans dictate what they do.

Samoa Joe Talks About Being Interested In Signing With WWE, Proving Himself There, More

Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Samoa Joe recently spoke with Jim Ross on his Ross Report podcast. The full interview can be heard at this link. Ross asked Joe about signing with WWE and Joe said he is very much interested in joining the company. He called it the "unchallenged challenge of his career."

It should be noted that the interview was recorded before WrestleMania 31. Joe confirmed people from WWE had reached out but called it informal and said nothing was set in stone. Since then, we've heard that Joe actually met with Triple H in Orlando and could be starting with NXT as early as June. Joe did not confirm this in the interview.

Joe said he would be open to a trial in NXT or a straight shot to the main roster. Joe talked about how he's never been wanted in any company he worked for but got work by proving himself. He added that if he has to start in WWE as an unwanted entity and prove himself, then that is what he's going to do.

Big Name Backstage At WWE NXT Tapings

Samoa Joe was indeed backstage at last night's WWE NXT tapings at Full Sail University in Orlando, FL. PWInsider notes that Joe was there to meet with Triple H about potentially signing with the company.

Samoa Joe Confirms WWE Negotiations, What Triple H Told Chris Jericho About Samoa Joe

Samoa Joe was Chris Jericho's guest on the latest episode of Talk Is Jericho. While Joe didn't talk about any negotiations with WWE during the interview, Jericho stated that he asked Joe as he was leaving if he has any intention of joining WWE. Joe wanted fans to know that there have been discussions and "there's some negotiations going on."

Jericho noted that Joe's name came up while he was speaking to Triple H a few years ago. Triple H told Jericho that he was a fan of Joe and his wrestling style.

Joe will be in action at tonight's ROH TV taping, where he will face ROH World Tag Team Champion Kyle O'Reilly. He will face Michael Elgin at next week's ROH event at the Frontier Fieldhouse in Chicago Ridge, IL.

Samoa Joe announces departure from TNA Wrestling

Samoa Joe, one of the longest tenured performers in TNA Wrestling, announced on Twitter that he is leaving the promotion:

"I have decided to part ways with @ImpactWrestling. My very best to them moving forward, and my eternal thanks to the fans."

TNA/Samoa Joe Issues

According to prowrestling.net, Samoa Joe blew up backstage after his time limit draw with Jeff Hardy, which aired on last weeks iMPACT!. Joe headed backstage and yelled at Vince Russo in front of Dixie Carter...More?

It is being reported that Samoa Joe has been suspended.

Rumor Mill - AJ Styles & Samoa Joe Frustrated with TNA Booking

TNA Champion A.J. Styles let loose on creative team leader Vince Russo over booking matters. Styles was frustrated over "what he argued was dismal booking of him early in his run as champion," Wade Keller of pwtorch.com reported. Styles feels he's been made to look like a weak champion by Russo.

In related news, pwtorch.com also reports that Samoa Joe blew up at TNA management "for what he felt was a blow-off of a commitment to utilize a friend's business for catering at the pay-per-view over the weekend."...More?

Sting Talks About Sunday's PPV and his Son Playing for Azusa Pacific

How much longer do you think you can wrestle?

Right now I honestly don’t know how to answer that question. There are so many things to consider that I haven’t thought about it. Sunday night will factor in.

Who do you see as the face of TNA five years from now?

Certainly my opponent on Sunday (Styles). There is so much talent in the company right now that it could be one of many young guys we have today. I’ve wrestled against guys like Samoa Joe and Matt Morgan who have shown they have what it takes to be at the top...More?

source: latimes.com

The Ring Post 20

From Kevin Eck of the Baltimore Sun:

This is my ranking of the top 20 wrestlers over the past year, using the same criteria that Pro Wrestling Illustrated uses for its list: titles won, major feuds, won-loss records, quality of opponents, prominence within their individual promotion, activity and overall ability.

For this list, I treated pro wrestling as if it were an actual competition and not scripted entertainment. Therefore, I did not take into account attributes such as charisma, promo skills and whether someone is or isn’t a “great worker.” I also did not factor in backstage politics, who is married to the boss’ daughter, et cetera.

Unlike the PWI 500, I did not consider wrestlers from Japanese or Mexican promotions. My list is composed entirely of WWE and TNA wrestlers. As talented as some of the Ring of Honor guys are, the fact is that ROH is a distant No. 3 in terms of prominence.

1. TRIPLE H
2. JOHN CENA
3. EDGE
4. RANDY ORTON
5. STING
6. JEFF HARDY
7. CHRIS JERICHO
8. THE UNDERTAKER
9. SAMOA JOE
10. KURT ANGLE

Click here for the rest of the list.

Interview with Samoa Joe

ESPN: You recently switched things up a little with the face paint. Why the change?

Samoa Joe: You know what, it's really just an extension of the character. That's the great thing about pro wrestling as you can take a persona you have and really keep pushing and pushing it as there really are no boundaries, no lines. It's just a continuation of my character. Where people knew me as a really aggressive person, now I'm over-the-top aggressive. We'll see how far I can push it.

ESPN: You were one of the consultants on the "TNA Impact" video game. Was it cool to be able to introduce the Suicide character in the game then watch someone take over that gimmick in real life? I don't think that's ever been done before where a wrestling character debuted in a game before TV.

Samoa Joe: It was pretty trippy. I remember working on the game and they showed me the character they designed. I was looking at the outfit and thought it was pretty cool, that it could be cool for a wrestler to wear. Next thing you know, I'm walking in the studio one day and there was the costume and the wrestler was getting all made up and ready to go. I was like, wow, they actually made a real Suicide...More?

source: sports.espn.go.com

Rumor Mill - Members of Samoa Joe's 'Nation of Violence' Revealed

Sources within TNA have confirmed that the members of Samoa Joe's "Nation of Violence" stable are in fact "ECW Originals" Balls Mahoney, Stevie Richards, Spike Dudley and former ECW Champion Bobby Lashley.

Taz will be revealed as Samoa Joe's advisor once his no-compete clause with the WWE expires.

source: pwpix.net

CM Punk Comments on Who He Would Like to Wrestle and Survivor Series 2006

Q: You’re over on Smackdown now, so is there anyone on that brand who you haven’t got to grips with yet and would like to?

A: There’s a laundry list of guys that I’ve yet to wrestle, and I’m started to get a little p***ed about it. Undertaker would be the number one guy now I’m on Smackdown. I’ve never wrestled Cena, Triple H, HBK or Jeff Hardy. To me, those are five huge, huge matches and I would love nothing more than to get in there with those guys.

Q: At Survivor Series 2006, you were teaming with DX and the Hardys. Hunter did his usual mic thing, but handed it over to you and for a minute you were a star above DX, the crowd went crazy. Was that as big a buzz for you as for your fans?

A: Yeah, but I obviously I think I have a little bit of a behind the scenes twist on it. To me it was like a big middle finger to everybody because I wasn’t supposed to be there, wasn’t supposed to make it. Even from then until now I wasn’t supposed to make it this far. Some say it’s cocky, but I’m just a confident dude. I’ve always tried to be the best. I’m not saying I am, I’m not saying I’m better than Hunter or the Hardys or Shawn or Samoa Joe or anybody, anywhere, in any company. I just try to be the best. In the gym, watching tapes, in the ring, out of the ring, some days I have better days than others. But yeah, that day was a bit of a launching pad for me and I remember that very fondly. I just wish they’d done something more with it.

source: the sun

On Impact, the best babyfaces are the heels

With the Main Event Mafia’s sharp custom-made suits, charisma and multitude of world title reigns, it’s no wonder that fans cheer the heel faction. With all due respect to the TNA Originals (is that the best name the creative team could come up with?), it really is a mismatch in star power when you have Kurt Angle, Sting, Kevin Nash, Booker T. and Scott Steiner standing across from guys such as Samoa Joe, A.J. Styles, Eric Young, Jay Lethal and Consequences Creed.

The lack of star power isn't the only thing that makes TNA’s babyface group seem inferior to the MEM. The creative team makes them look like uncool whiners who are easily outsmarted. Instead of the younger guys getting a rub, they are just getting rubbed out...More?

source: baltimoresun.com

AJ Styles and Samoa Joe talk TNA

Craveonline.com recently caught up with TNA wrestlers, AJ Styles and Samoa Joe, they spoke backstage at one of their events on the road. Styles and Samoa Joe are just two of the superstars who lent their likenesses and worked with Midway on the game, TNA Impact...More?