ROH News: ROH Legend Samoa Joe Is Returning To Ring Of Honor In March
On February 17, Samoa Joe left TNA after nearly 10 years of employment with Impact Wrestling. The two parted ways, and now Joe is looking to wrestle elsewhere. Joe didn’t quit TNA, nor was he fired. Both Joe and TNA “mutually” agreed to part ways, which looks great on both of their behalf. It was apparent that Joe didn’t want to retire, so he did the only logical thing: he went home to ROH.
According to a report on the Fight Network, Joe signed a deal to return to Ring of Honor wrestling. Below are the dates that he is scheduled.
“As of this writing Joe is scheduled for the next set of television tapings on March 7thin Baltimore along with March 13th in Milwaukee, March 14th in Chicago Ridge, the Supercard of Honor card on March 27th over WrestleMania weekend as well as April 25th in Minneapolis.”
Along with the announcement, Ring of Honor posted a video on their YouTube channel, confirming the re-acquisition of an ROH legend.
Joe’s legacy in TNA will not be tarnished, as per Dave Meltzer’s ratings, he wrestled the only 5-star match in TNA history. His nine-year stint will always be remembered by his undefeated streak in 2005 and 2006, involvement in the Main Event Mafia, feud with Dixie Carter, and numerous championships in TNA. He’s a one-time TNA World Heavyweight champion, one-time TNA Television champion, five-time X-Division champion, and two-time TNA World Tag-Team champion.
As for Joe’s accolades in Ring of Honor, it’s a no-brainer that Joe is an ROH legend. He’s received two 5-star matches from his time in ROH. His first was against CM Punk at ROH Joe vs. Punk II in 2004. The second took place a year later against Kenta Kobashi (Hideo Itami) at ROH Joe vs. Kobashi. That same match won “Match of the Year” in 2005.
ROH is gaining a huge bargaining chip for any potential carrier of their shows. Joe is a huge name in the professional wrestling scene. There was a moment when Triple H and Paul Heyman were interested in the Samoan-born wrestler. Obviously, no talks amounted to anything, which led to Joe’s return to ROH.
Samoa Joe wrestled with ROH full-time from 2002 to 2007. After a one-night return in 2008, Joe hasn’t been on ROH TV since. Seven years later, the Samoan Submission Machine is about to make a huge impact on a wrestling product that continues to grow. With Lucha Underground gaining steam in the independent scene, ROH needs a boost in their product. Samoa Joe will be the one to help Ring of Honor improve.
[Image via pwmania.com]
