WWE News: Big Plans For Samoa Joe After ‘Wrestlemania 32’?

There have been discussions about bringing up NXT superstar Samoa Joe to WWE’s main roster after Wrestlemania 32 this April, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (via Daily Wrestling News).

The report indicates that the current plan is for Joe to be called up the night after Wrestlemania 32 on Monday Night RAW. The WWE has routinely called up talent the night after Wrestlemania in recent years to help their roster — which is usually thinned out as several part-time performers are usually done with their WWE commitments.

In 2014, Paige debuted on RAW the night after Wrestlemania 30 and defeated AJ Lee for the Divas title. Last year, Neville and the Lucha Dragons got their call-ups from NXT and moment to shine on RAW.

With NXT starting to fill up with new international superstars — such as Austin Aries and Shinsuke Nakamura — Joe conceivably could help the main roster, which has been decimated by injuries in recent months. Currently, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Cesaro, Sting, and Daniel Bryan are out with injuries and their return dates are not known.

Joe, 36, made his WWE NXT debut on May 20, 2015, after several weeks of rumors indicating that he would sign with WWE. Since debuting, Joe has wrestled the likes of Kevin Owens, Baron Corbin, and Finn Bálor. Debuting as a good guy (face), Joe transitioned into a villainous persona (heel) after assaulting Bálor in early November. He’s been chasing the title ever since.

At NXT Takeover: London, Joe was unsuccessful in winning the NXT World Heavyweight Championship from Bálor but will soon get a chance to change that. It was announced during Wednesday’s NXT tapings that Joe would be wrestling Bálor for the title at NXT Takeover: Dallas during Wrestlemania 32 weekend, via Wrestlezone.

The Wrestling Observer’s report states that there have been discussions to have Joe defeat Bálor for the title, thereby extending his run with NXT and delaying a main roster promotion. However, as evidenced by Kevin Owens’ call-up last year, it’s not impossible for somebody to be on the main roster while also being the NXT World Heavyweight Champion.

Bálor, unlike Joe, is currently not rumored to be making his main roster debut at Wrestlemania 32. The report claims that the company wants to keep Balor in NXT past March and potentially call him up at a later time.

A longtime fan favorite with TNA IMPACT Wrestling, Joe spent the first decade-and-a-half of his career touring the world before coming to the WWE. Aside from TNA, Joe has also worked for promotions such as Ring of Honor (ROH), Pro Wrestling Guerilla (PWG), and many others. His former on-screen ally and enemy, AJ Styles just recently made his WWE debut so he could soon join the “Phenomenal 1” on the main roster.

Soon after making his debut, Joe sat down with WWEreporter Bob Melok for an exclusive interview. In discussing topics such as his time on the independent circuit and his future goals, Joe revealed that getting called up to the main roster is on his radar.

“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.”

[Featured Image via WWE]