WWE News: Samoa Joe On WWE Hiring, ‘I Was Brought In To Help With Momentum NXT Has Going’


When former TNA World Champion Samoa Joe was signed to a WWE contract, it seemed that every fan who knew Joe was happy to see him go there and become part of the roster. While Joe is in his mid-30s now and it makes people wonder how he’ll get treated knowing the age issues WWE has had in the past, he has not had a bad run in WWE NXT so far, and could very well be headed toward an NXT Title run before too long.

When he was signed, many wondered if he would strictly be an NXT name or if he had a big chance to be part of the main roster. Initially, the main roster was by no means in the cards for Samoa Joe. However, due to his impressive merchandise sales and great in-ring ability, as well as the buzz surrounding him, WWE ended up wanting to sign him to an exclusive deal. Joe is now with WWE fully and he will be part of the growth of the brand.

Initially, that seems to be where Joe always thought he would be. During WWE Network’s Table for 3 conversation, Joe mentioned his initial contract idea.

“I was kind of brought in to add to the momentum that NXT has going. I mean, obviously, I think we all want to go win the big one, but I also wouldn’t mind helping NXT be part of a bigger thing. It’s a real unusual kind of time, to kind of be a part of this process and a very unique position for me, kind of, coming in, so, I don’t know, man. I’m kind of laying back and seeing what cards are dealt and playing the best hand.”

Samoa Joe weight loss
via Pinterest

Most felt it weird when Samoa Joe was signed to WWE as they knew it would be big for him as a pro-wrestler to have said he worked for WWE in his career, but the initial contract he had coming in made people frown a bit as it led many to think he’d never see the main roster. However, that has changed and it looks like WWE has an investment him in. He’s now part of the WWE 2K16 video game as a “future star” which is an interesting name for someone that WWE was only considering to be a veteran for the NXT guys to work through initially.

Many speculate that Joe will be down in NXT for a while, not to train or become a better all around performer, but to help the brand with star-power and quality. It’s obvious when Samoa Joe is part of the show that his matches will be good from a quality standpoint. You also know he’s a star and being part of NXT only helps the brand.

That means we won’t see Samoa Joe jump to the main roster immediately, but he could show up on WWE RAW one day with no expectation of him being there and shock long-time fans that he actually worked a RAW match in his pro-wrestling career.

Joe NXT Brooklyn
via WWE

Joe has also dropped hints that he could do more, as he has teased a WrestleMania appearance, which could certainly happen now that the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal is available. This match allows for the people not featured in big matches on the show an opportunity to be part of WrestleMania. Hideo Itami made his appearance representing NXT at WrestleMania 31 and Samoa Joe could do it this year.

He might not win it, but being part of it would be big enough for him.

Many say that Samoa Joe’s age plays a large part in his WWE career. Some say that he is too old to get started with WWE. However, Joe is 36-years-of-age, while Finn Balor is 34 and Hideo Itami is 34 as well. Being only a few years apart makes one think that if we can call Balor and Itami future stars for WWE, then Samoa Joe should be considered the same. Plus he might be the most polished American-style wrestler in NXT, even over Balor and Itami who are known for European and Japanese Strong Style.

All of this being said, Samoa Joe might have initially been brought in to help NXT only. However, that is now changing and it looks like he could be a big part of WWE for years to come both in and out of NXT.

[Image via WWE]

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