.jpg) Samoa Joe in 2022 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nuufolau Joel Seanoa[7] (1979-03-17)March 17, 1979 (age 46)[1] |
Spouse | |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring names | |
| Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[3][4][5] |
| Billed weight | 282 lb (128 kg)[4][5] |
| Billed from | |
| Trained by |
|
| Debut | December 1999[1][5] |
Nuufolau Joel Seanoa (born March 17, 1979), better known by thering nameSamoa Joe, is an Americanprofessional wrestler. He is signed toAll Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is the leader of the Opps, and is a double champion: he is theAEW World Champion in his second reign, and is one-third of theAEW World Trios Champions. He is also known for his work withRing of Honor (ROH),Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), andWWE.
Debuting in 1999, Joe joined ROH soon after its formation in 2002, going on to hold theROH World Championship for a record 21 months from March 2003 to December 2004 as well as holding theROH Pure Championship. AtSlammiversary in June 2005, he joined TNA, where he embarked on a 19-month-long undefeated streak that ended in a feud withKurt Angle. During his 10-year stint in TNA, he held theTNA World Heavyweight Championshiponce, theTNA X Division Championshipfive times, theTNA World Tag Team Championshiptwice, theTNA Television Championshiponce, and headlined the2008 edition of TNA's flagship annual event,Bound for Glory.
After departing TNA in 2015, Joe began wrestling for WWE on itsNXT brand. After winning theNXT Championship twice, he joined the main roster in January 2017, going on to win theWWE United States Championship on two occasions and headline severalWWE pay-per-views and livestreaming supercards. In 2019, he began working as acolor commentator due to accumulated injuries. He was released from his contract in April 2021, but was rehired that June, winning the NXT Championship a third time before being released once again in January 2022.
Joe was named part of the inaugural class of theROH Hall of Fame in January 2022. Three months later he made his debut in AEW, and concurrently returned to ROH, which by then became AEW's sister promotion following its purchase by AEW founder and co-ownerTony Khan. In AEW/ROH, Joe held theAEW TNT Championshiptwice and theROH World Television Championship once (at one time holding both titles simultaneously) and set a new record for the longest reign as ROH World Television Champion. He then defeatedMJF for the AEW World Championship in December 2023, making him the only wrestler to have held the AEW, ROH, and TNA World Championships.[8]
Outside of wrestling, Seanoa is an actor and voice actor; he is known for playingSweet Tooth in the 2023 television seriesTwisted Metal, voicingKing Shark in the 2024 video gameSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, and lending both appearance and voice to antagonist Raymond Law inLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.
Seanoa was born on March 17, 1979 to Pete and Portia Seanoa. He was raised inOrange County, California.[1] As a child, Seanoa performed for "Tiare Productions", aPolynesian dance troupe founded by his parents in 1965. At the age of five, Seanoa performed in the opening ceremony of the1984 Summer Olympics at theLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum.[9][10] He became a California State Junior Judo Champion and was an all leaguefootball player while attendingOcean View High School.[11] Seanoa attended college, where he playedfootball.[12] Before becoming a wrestler, he worked as amortgage broker.[13]
Seanoa became involved in professional wrestling after attending aJiu-Jitsu class and being encouraged by instructors to attend aprofessional wrestling school taking place afterwards, whereupon he "fell in love with it" and began training regularly.[12] Seanoa attended the United Independent Wrestling Alliance (UIWA) West Coast Dojo, where he trained underCincinnati Red, Johnny Hemp and, occasionally, John Delayo. He debuted in December 1999 in a match against "Uncle" Jess Hansen three months after beginning his training, adopting the ring name "Samoa Joe".[1] In 2000, Joe began appearing with the California-basedUltimate Pro Wrestling (UPW) promotion, then a developmental affiliate of theWorld Wrestling Federation (WWF), after being scouted by Brett Wagner.[12] While in UPW, Joefeuded withJohn Cena[14][15] and held theUPW No Holds Barred Championship from March to April 2001.[16] He was namedSouthern California's Rookie of the Year for 2000.[17] In February 2001, he appeared on an episode ofWWF Jakked, losing toEssa Rios; he was subsequently told by WWF personnel that he "didn't have a future in [the WWF]".[12][14][18] In March 2001, Joe defeatedChristopher Daniels to win theUPW Heavyweight Championship; he held the title for a record 258 days before losing to Mikey Henderson in November 2001.[18][19] In October 2001, Joe competed inAll Pro Wrestling's "King of Indies" tournament that was won byAmerican Dragon.[17][20][21]
As part of a working arrangement between Ultimate Pro Wrestling andShinya Hashimoto'sPro Wrestling Zero-One promotion, Joe made his first appearance in Japan in June 2001 during Pro Wrestling Zero-One's "Shingeki"pay-per-view.[17][22][23] In his debut match he teamed withKeiji Sakoda to defeatKatsumi Usuda andYuki Ishikawa to become the inauguralIntercontinental Tag Team Champions; the titles were awarded toMike Rapada andSteve Corino the following month.[24][25][26] Joe went on to take part in the2001 Fire Festival, finishing second in his block with four points after defeatingGeorge Takano andMasato Tanaka but losing toKohei Sato.[24]
Joe returned to Pro Wrestling Zero-One in January 2002, where Masato Tanaka andShinjiro Otani defeated him andTom Howard to win the vacant Intercontinental Tag Team Championship.[24][25] He continued to work for the promotion throughout 2002, participating in a number of its biggest shows and tournaments as "Samoa Joe" and later "King Joe". He tagged with several other American wrestlers, includingSamoan Savage. Joe took part in the2002 Fire Festival, finishing last in his block with two points after defeatingKintaro Kanemura but losing toTAKA Michinoku, Masato Tanaka, and eventual overall winner Shinjiro Otani.[24]
Joe made his final appearances with Pro Wrestling Zero-One in August 2003 as part of its "Summer Festival 2003" tour. Wrestling as "King Joe", he competed in a series oftag team matches andsix-man tag team matches, including teaming with King Adamo to unsuccessfully challengeKohei Sato andHirotaka Yokoi for theAll Asia Tag Team Championship.[24]
Joe wrestled for manyindependent promotions from 2001 to 2015, includingIWA Mid-South,Pro Wrestling Guerrilla,Jersey All Pro Wrestling, theUnited Wrestling Federation,Full Impact Pro, andMajor League Wrestling.[27] In 2004, Joe won IWA Mid-South's Revolution Strong Style Tournament.[28] In 2006, Joe won the Twin Wrestling Entertainment Championship and theBallpark Brawl Natural Heavyweight Championship.[29][30] In the same year, he won the Extreme Wrestling Federation's Xtreme 8 Tournament.[31]
In 2002, Samoa Joe joined the ranks of the nascentPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania-based promotionRing of Honor (ROH), which had been impressed by his work in Japan and on the United States independent circuit.[12] He debuted in October 2002 at "Glory By Honor" asChristopher Daniels's "hired assassin", brought in to defeat Daniels's chief enemy,Low Ki.[32] Originally booked for a single match against Low Ki, Joe impressed fans with his extremely stiff and hard-hitting style that resembled amixed martial arts fighter more than a wrestler, resulting in ROH booking him full-time.[12][33]
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Joe quickly rose through the ranks and becameROH Champion by defeatingXavier at Night of Champions in March 2003.[34] After he defeatedThe Zebra Kid at "Frontiers of Honor" inLondon, England in May 2003, the title was renamed the ROH World Championship.[35][36] Joe held the title for a record 645 days, defending the title 29 times in the United States and in Europe.[34] During this time, he had a trilogy of title defenses againstCM Punk.[34][32] In June 2004, Joe successfully defended the ROH World Championship againstShinya Makabe in a bout promoted byNew Japan Pro-Wrestling at theInoki Dojo inSanta Monica, California.[37] Joe's reign finally ended after 645 days when he lost toAustin Aries atFinal Battle in December 2004.[35][36]
Soon after losing the ROH World Championship to Aries, Joe became theROH Pure Champion by defeating his on-screen protégéJay Lethal in May 2005.[34][38][39] He lost the title toNigel McGuinness at "Dragon Gate Invasion" in August 2005.[34][38][39] In October 2005, when Japanese wrestlerKenta Kobashi made a trip to the United States, he was signed to two Ring of Honor shows. ROH officials selected Joe to face him in a singles match on the first night and a tag match on the second.[34][32][40] They had a highly acclaimed match, which won theWrestling Observer Newsletter award for "Match of the Year", with theWrestling Observer Newsletter also naming Joe "Most Outstanding Wrestler" for 2005.[41] In 2015, theWrestling Observer Newsletter described the match as being "widely considered one of the company's defining moments".[42]
In 2006, Joe was one of the principal wrestlers representing Ring of Honor during an interpromotional feud with the Philadelphia promotionCombat Zone Wrestling (CZW). The feud culminated in a five-on-five "Cage of Death" match at "Death before Dishonor IV" in July 2006.[43] At the September 16, 2006 ROH show, Joe got into an argument and pull-apart brawl withPro Wrestling Noah starTakeshi Morishima. Subsequently, a match was signed for February 2007 pitting Joe against Morishima which Joe won.[32] Joe later teamed with Homicide to fight against theBriscoes, and, like Homicide, found himself back in the ROH World Championship hunt. Joe, however, came up short against champion Bryan Danielson in several matches, including a match that ended in a time limit drawn after 60 minutes and acage match in December 2006.[32]
Joe ceased to be a full-time performer in ROH on March 4, 2007.[44] His appearances leading up to that date were billed as the "Samoa Joe Farewell Tour". On March 4, he defeated long-time rival Homicide in theLiverpool Olympia inLiverpool, England in his final ROH match.[32] On November 22, 2008, Joe made a one night return to ROH atRising Above (its second every pay-per-view), defeatingTyler Black in adark match.[45]
In 2004, Joe appeared withInoki Dojo, an American offshoot ofNew Japan Pro-Wrestling based inSanta Monica, California.[46] He made his first appearance in April 2004, teaming with Bobby Quance in a loss toAaron Aguilera andAmerican Dragon, then later that month wrestled Aguilera to a time limit draw. Joe made a handful of appearances with Inoki Dojo in June and July 2004, including successfully defending the ROH World Championship againstShinya Makabe. Joe made his final appearance with Inoki Dojo in December 2004, teaming withChad Malenko in a loss toKatsushi Takemura andOsamu Nishimura.[47]
After being courted by bothTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) andWorld Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Joe signed a contract with TNA in June 2005.[42] He debuted later that month atSlammiversary, defeatingSonjay Dutt.[48] Joe subsequently entered the2005 TNA Super X Cup Tournament, defeating Sonjay Dutt andAlex Shelley before defeating AJ Styles in the tournament finals atSacrifice in August 2005 following interference fromChristopher Daniels.[21][49] As a result of Daniels' interference,TNA Director of AuthorityLarry Zbyszko booked athree-way match for Daniels'X Division Championship atUnbreakable in September 2005. The match was won by Styles, though Joe's undefeated streak remained intact as it was Daniels who was pinned.[21][50] The match received an elusive "five star" rating from journalistDave Meltzer.[21][51] AtBound for Glory in October 2005, Joe defeatedNew Japan Pro-Wrestling'sJushin Liger.[9][52]
Joe defeated Styles to win the X Division Championship atTurning Point in December 2005.[52][53] AtFinal Resolution in January 2006, Joe defended the championship against Daniels, winning bytechnical knockout.[54] AtAgainst All Odds in February 2006, Joe defeated Daniels and Styles in a rematch from Unbreakable to retain the title.[55] AtDestination X in March 2006, Joe lost the title to Daniels in anUltimate X match (a match in which there is no pinfall or submission, thus preserving Joe's undefeated streak).[56]
On the April 13, 2006 episode ofImpact, Joe defeated Christopher Daniels to win the X Division Championship for a second time.[57] In late-May 2006, Joe was absent for two weeks while rehabilitating a major tear to hisposterior cruciate ligament.[58] AtSlammiversary in June 2006, Joe defeatedScott Steiner.[59] On June 19, Joe defended the X Division Championship againstSenshi andSonjay Dutt in atriple threat match; after Steiner interfered in the match and gave Joe achair shot, Senshi pinned Dutt to win the Championship, ending Joe's second reign.[57][60]
AtVictory Road in July 2006, Joe, Steiner, Sting, andChristian Cage took part in afour-way match to determine the number one contender to theNWA World Heavyweight Championship; the match ended when Sting pinned Steiner.[61] AtNo Surrender in September 2006, Joe defeated Jeff Jarrett in a non-title "fan's revengelumberjack match". After the match, he took Jarrett's title belt. On the October 12 episode ofImpact, Joe agreed to return the belt to the winner of the forthcoming bout between Jarrett and Sting atBound for Glory on the condition that the winner give him a title shot. This offer was turned down by TNA Management Director Jim Cornette, who gave Joe the choice of returning the title or be fired. After Joe again refused to return the belt, he got into a brawl with the debutingKurt Angle, allowing Jarrett to retrieve the belt. At Bound for Glory later that month, Joe defeatedAbyss,Brother Runt, andRaven in aMonster's Ball match after guest refereeJake Roberts performed aDDT on Raven, allowing Joe to defeat Raven. Later that night, Joe was involved in a pull-apart brawl with Angle after Cornette announced that he would be fired if he interfered in the match between Jarrett and Sting that involved Angle as special enforcer.[62] AtGenesis in November 2006, Joe lost to Angle after submitting to Angle'sankle lock. This ended his 18-month undefeated streak.[63] AtTurning Point in December 2006, Joe defeated Kurt Angle by submission.[64] AtFinal Resolution in January 2007, Joe lost to Angle in a 30-minuteIron Man match.[65] The feud between Joe and Angle was namedPWI Feud of the Year for 2007 byPro Wrestling Illustrated,[66] while Joe was namedPWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year for 2006 byPro Wrestling Illustrated.[67]
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In February 2007, Joe won aGauntlet for the Gold match to become the number one contender for theNWA World Heavyweight Championship; the following month atDestination X he unsuccessfully challenged championChristian Cage.[68][69] On the July 12 episode ofImpact, Joe defeatedJay Lethal andChris Sabin to win the X Division Championship.[57] His victory entitled him to take part in the "Match of Champions" atVictory Road later that month; during the Match of Champions, Joe pinnedBrother Ray to win theTNA World Tag Team Championship, making him the first wrestler in TNA to simultaneously hold multiple TNA championships.[57] He opted to hold the Championship by himself rather than choosing a tag team partner. AtHard Justice in August 2007, Joe put up the X Division Championship the TNA World Tag Team Championship against Kurt Angle's TNA World Heavyweight Championship andIWGP Heavyweight Championship, losing the match (and both his titles) thanks to interference byKaren Angle.[70]
AtNo Surrender in September 2007, Joe lost to Christian Cage. The following month atBound For Glory, Joe defeated Cage in a rematch. AtGenesis in November 2007, Joe defeatedRobert Roode.[70] That same month, Joe won the inauguralTNA Turkey Bowl.[71]
AtTurning Point in December 2007, Joe was scheduled to team withKevin Nash andScott Hall to face theAngle Alliance. However, Hall,no-showed the event. Before the match, Joe was asked to cut apromo introducingEric Young as Hall's replacement. Joe went five minutes overtime and criticized Hall, Nash and several other wrestlers, legitimately angering Nash and TNA presidentDixie Carter, The match saw Joe, Nash, and Young defeat the Angle Alliance when Joe pinnedTomko. After the match, Joe and Nash briefly argued and shoved one another backstage, with Joe apologizing at a talent meeting the following day.[72] The incident was parlayed into a storyline where Joe directed his frustrations towards TNA management, After complaining to TNA Management DirectorJim Cornette that he did not have a match atFinal Resolution in January 2008, Cornette scheduled a match pitting Joe and Nash against TNA World Tag Team ChampionsAJ Styles and Tomko. The match saw Nash refuse to tag himself in, leading to Styles and Tomko defeating Joe.[70]
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AtAgainst All Odds in February 2008, Joe served as the special enforcer for theTNA World Heavyweight Championship match between champion Kurt Angle and challenger Christian Cage. During the match, AJ Styles interfered and fought Joe away from the ring, enabling Tomko to interfere to help Angle win the match. On the February 14 episode ofImpact, Joe formed a stable with Cage and Kevin Nash to compete with Angle'sAngle Alliance.
AtLockdown in April 2008, Joe defeated Angle in atitle versus career match to win his first and only TNA World Championship.[57] Writing in 2015, theWrestling Observer Newsletter described the bout between Angle and Joe as "arguably the company's peak in terms of creative, match quality, business, and production coming together".[42] The win also made Joe the thirdTNA Triple Crown Champion.[57]
AtSacrifice in May 2008, Joe successfully defended the TNA World Championship againstKaz andScott Steiner in athree way match.[73] AtSlammiversary the following month, Joe successfully defended the title againstBooker T, Christian Cage,Rhino, andRobert Roode in aKing of the Mountain match.[74] AtVictory Road in July 2008, Joe defended his title against Booker T in a singles match, with the match ending in a no contest afterSting hit Joe with a baseball bat and Booker T pinned him while Booker T's valetSharmell made the three count. AtHard Justice in August 2008, Joe defeated Booker T in asteel cageweapons match to retain his title. AtNo Surrender in September 2008, Joe defeated Christian Cage and Kurt Angle in athree way match to retain his title.[73]
AtBound for Glory IV in October 2008, Joe lost to Sting, ending his reign as TNA World Heavyweight Champion at 182 days. During the match, Joe suffered an injury after landing back-first on a flight of cement stairs while executing adropkick; theWrestling Observer Newsletter stated that subsequently Joe "was never the same [...] His work noticeably slowed down, he gained weight".[42] Writing for theWrestling Observer Newsletter, Kyle Johnson stated "Joe’s standing as a main event star in the company entered a downward spiral from 2009 on and never recovered. His TNA World Heavyweight Championship run was almost completely unmemorable, ending at Bound for Glory 2008 in a match where he attempted a dropkick from apress box onto concrete stairs to horrifying effect. Joe was truly never the same after that bump."[75]
On the October 30, 2008 episode ofImpact, Joe and AJ Styles formed a faction of younger wrestlers called the "Front Line", to oppose theMain Event Mafia of Kurt Angle, Sting, Kevin Nash, Booker T, and Scott Steiner. AtTurning Point in November 2008, Nash defeated Joe by cheating. AtFinal Resolution in December 2008, the Front Line lost to the Main Event Mafia in aneight man tag team match.[76] On the December 18 episode ofImpact, Joe and Styles defeated Sting and Nash in aSix Sides of Steel match. Following the match, Joe was attacked by the Main Event Mafia; the attack was billed as having left him with injuries that would sideline him for the rest of the year.[77]
On the January 29, 2009 episode ofImpact, a video aired in which Joe – sporting abuzz cut,face paint, and a much heavier frame – stated he wanted to introduce the Main Event Mafia to his "Nation of Violence".[78] Joe subsequently began feuding with Main Event Mafia member Scott Steiner, including a controversialangle where he menaced Steiner with a large knife. AtDestination X in March 2009, Joe quickly lost to Steiner by disqualification after throwing the referee out of the ring.[79] AtLockdown in April 2009, Joe teamed with Styles, Christopher Daniels, and Jeff Jarrett to defeat the Main Event Mafia in aLethal Lockdown match.[80] Joe went to feud with Main Event Mafia member Kevin Nash, defeating him atSacrifice in May 2009.[81]
AtSlammiversary Seven in June 2009, Joe competed in aKing of the Mountain match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship; at the climax of the match, instead of winning himself, Joe handed the title belt to Kurt Angle, enabling him to win.[82][79] On the June 25 episode ofImpact, Joe officially joined the Main Event Mafia.[83] AtVictory Road in July 2009, Joe defeated Sting by submission in a grudge match with the assistance of the debutingTaz, who was announced as Joe's new adviser.[84] The relationship between Joe and Taz ended the following month when Taz became acolor commentator.[85] AtHard Justice in August 2009, Joe defeatedHomicide to win the X Division Championship for the fourth time.[86] AtNo Surrender the following month, Joe successfully defended the X Division Championship againstChristopher Daniels.[87] On the October 8 episode ofImpact, Joe lost the X Division Championship toAmazing Red afterBobby Lashley interfered in the match.[88] AtBound for Glory later that month, Lashley defeated Joe in asubmission match via referee stoppage.[89] On the following episode ofImpact, the Main Event Mafia was disbanded by Kurt Angle.[90]
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In November 2009 atTurning Point, Joe unsuccessfully challenged TNA World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles in athree-way match that also involved Christopher Daniels.[91] AtFinal Resolution in December 2009, Joe took part in the "Feast or Fired" match, winning the briefcase containing a title shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.[92] In January 2010, Joe took part in TNA's "Maximum Impact" tour of the UK.[93] After being off TV for several weeks, Joe returned on the February 4 episode ofImpact, attacking Styles.[94] AtAgainst All Odds later that month, Joe unsuccessfully challenged Styles in ano disqualification match refereed byEric Bischoff.[95] On the following episode ofImpact, Joe was attacked and abducted by "ninjas".[79][96]
Joe returned on the April 19, 2020 episode ofImpact as the surprise partner of "Team Hogan" (Abyss, Jeff Jarrett, andRob Terry) in aneight-man tag team match against "Team Flair" (Desmond Wolfe,James Storm,Robert Roode, and Sting); his abduction never was explained.[75][79][97] In the following weeks, Joe randomly attacked wrestlers includingBrian Kendrick,Douglas Williams, andMatt Morgan.[98][99] In May 2010, Joe was ranked number 10 in the inaugural TNA Championship Committee rankings to determine the number one contender for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.[100] Joe subsequently climbed the rankings, ultimately wrestling number two rankedJeff Hardy to a 10-minute time limit draw on the July 22 episode ofImpact.[101][102][103] After the match with Hardy, Joe was upset with TNA's production crew for displaying a countdown to the time limit draw which Joe had specifically requested not be done to avoid spoiling the ending of the match; the "blow-up" resulted in Joe being suspended from TNA.[104][105]
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Joe returned from his suspension in August 2010,[106] aligning himself withHulk Hogan andJeff Jarrett in their feud with Kevin Nash and Sting.[107] AtNo Surrender in September 2010, Joe and Jarrett defeated Nash and Sting in a tag team match.[108] AtBound for Glory in October 2010, Joe and Jarrett faced Nash, Sting, andD'Angelo Dinero in ahandicap match after Hogan, who was scheduled to team with Joe and Jarrett, pulled out of the match due to injury. Joe lost the match after being abandoned by Jarrett; subsequently, it was revealed that Hogan's injury had been a ruse as he helped Jeff Hardy win the vacant TNA World Heavyweight Championship and formed a new villainous stable,Immortal.[109] AtTurning Point in November 2010, Jarrett defeated Joe after choking him out with abaton following interference from Immortal.[110] The following month atFinal Resolution, Joe lost to Jarrett in asubmission match, again following interference from Immortal.[111]
In December 2010, it was reported that Joe's contract with TNA had expired.[112] However, later that month TNA presidentDixie Carter announced that Joe had signed a new contract.[113] Joe returned on the January 6, 2011 episode ofImpact, confrontingD'Angelo Dinero in a storyline whereOkato (in a gimmick inspired byKato ofThe Green Hornet) was hired by Joe to follow Dinero and film his activities in an attempt to prove he was a "scumbag".[114][115][116] AtAgainst All Odds in February 2011, Joe defeated Dinero with the help of Okato.[117] AtLockdown in March 2011, Joe defeated Dinero by submission in asteel cage match.[118]
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In April 2011, Joe began feuding with the undefeatedCrimson.[119] In June 2011 atSlammiversary IX, Joe lost to Crimson, and afterwards shook Crimson's hand.[120] Subsequently, Joe went on a losing streak with losses toRob Van Dam,Devon, Kazarian and Bobby Roode.[121][122][123][124] After losing all nine of his matches in the2011 Bound for Glory Series to determine the number one contender to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, Joe initially ended his losing streak on the August 4 episode ofImpact Wrestling by defeating D'Angelo Dinero via submission; however, the decision was reversed after Joe refused to release theCoquina Clutch after the bell rang. Joe then gave apromo in which he accused TNA management of being against him and stated "the blood would be on [their] hands".[125] Joe went on to attempt to disrupt the Bound for Glory Series by attacking various participants, including Crimson, who was forced to withdraw from the Series after suffering a storyline ankle injury at the hands of Joe.[126] In the final week of the Bound for Glory Series, Joe attempted to interfere in a match betweenGunner and Rob Van Dam, but was stopped by guest color commentator Matt Morgan.[127] This led to a grudge match atNo Surrender in September 2011 where Joe lost to Morgan.[128] On the following episode ofImpact Wrestling, Joe definitively ended his losing streak by defeating Morgan in asubmission match.[129] Joe then resumed his feud with the returning Crimson, who defeated Joe in a singles match on the October 6 episode ofImpact Wrestling, and then again in athree-way match, also involving Matt Morgan, atBound for Glory later that month.[130][131]
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In November 2011, Joe won theMaximum Impact Tournament; he subsequently received a title shot against TNA World Heavyweight ChampionBobby Roode in theMEN Arena inManchester, England, but was unsuccessful.[132] In December 2011, Joe began teaming withMagnus, with Magnus stating in 2013 that bookerVince Russo put them together because "we were both always pissed off, so we could be pissed off together".[133] The duo won the four week-longWild Card Tournament to become the number one contenders to the TNA World Tag Team Championship.[134][135][136] AtGenesis in January 2012, Joe and Magnus unsuccessfully challenged Crimson and Matt Morgan for the TNA World Tag Team Championship.[137] In a rematch the following month atAgainst All Odds, Joe and Magnus defeated Crimson and Morgan to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship.[138] Joe and Magnus then defeated Crimson and Morgan in rematches onImpact Wrestling and atVictory Road to retain the Championship.[139][140] After successfully defending the Championship against teams includingMexican America,[141] theMotor City Machine Guns,[142] andJeff Hardy andMr. Anderson,[143] Joe and Magnus lost the TNA World Tag Team Championship toChristopher Daniels and Kazarian atSacrifice in May 2012.[144]
On the May 31, 2012 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Joe had a confrontation with X Division ChampionAustin Aries, leading to a match atSlammiversary 10 the following month where Joe unsuccessfully challenged Aries.[145][146] Joe subsequently entered the2012 Bound for Glory Series, ultimately being eliminated after losing to Jeff Hardy atNo Surrender in September 2012.[147]
On the September 27, 2012 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Joe defeatedMr. Anderson to win thevacantTNA Television Championship, making him the thirdTNA Grand Slam Champion.[148] AtBound for Glory the following month, Joe successfully defended the title against Magnus.[149] AtTurning Point in November 2012, Joe again successfully defended the title against Magnus, this time in ano disqualification match.[150] On the December 6, 2012 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Joe lost the TNA Television Championship toDevon afterDOC ofAces & Eights hit him with aball-peen hammer.[151]
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AtFinal Resolution in December 2012, Joe teamed withGarett Bischoff, Kurt Angle, andWes Brisco to defeat Devon, DOC, and two masked members of Aces & Eights in aneight-man tag team match.[152] AtGenesis in January 2013, Joe lost to Aces & Eights member Mr. Anderson in a singles match following interference fromMike Knox.[153] AtLockdown in March 2013, "Team TNA" (Joe, Eric Young, James Storm, Magnus, and Sting) defeated Aces & Eights (Devon, DOC, Garett Bischoff, Mike Knox, and Mr. Anderson) in aLethal Lockdown match.[154] On the April 18 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Joe challenged Devon for the Television Championship, but lost after interference from Aces & Eights.[155] AtSlammiversary XI in June 2013, Joe teamed with Jeff Hardy and Magnus to defeat Garett Bischoff, Mr. Anderson, andWes Brisco of Aces & Eights in asix-man tag team match.[156] Later that month, Joe was announced as a member of the reformedMain Event Mafia alongside Sting and Kurt Angle.[157] In October 2013 atBound For Glory, Joe competed in anUltimate X match that was won byChris Sabin.[158] On November 7, 2013, the Main Event Mafia was disbanded by Sting due to Aces & Eights having been defeated.[159]
In November 2013, Joe was announced as an entrant in an eight-man tournament for the vacant TNA World Heavyweight Championship by TNA president Dixie Carter, who had stripped AJ Styles of the title. Joe subsequently angered Carter by announcing that, if he won the tournament, he would defend the title it against Styles, "whether it's here or anywhere else in the world".[160] AtTurning Point later that month, Magnus defeated Joe in afalls count anywhere match, eliminating him from the tournament.[161] Magnus went on to win the tournament, and the title, atFinal Resolution the following month with the assistance fromRockstar Spud and Carter's storyline nephew,Ethan Carter III.[162] Joe went on to feud with "Team Dixie".[163] AtGenesis in January 2014, Joe defeated Rockstar Spud by submission, then unsuccessfully attempted to help Sting defeat Magnus for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.[164] AtOne Night Only:#OldSchool (which was recorded in December 2013, but aired in February 2014) Joe unsuccessfully challenged Magnus for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship following interference from Ethan Carter III.[165][166] AtLockdown in March 2014, Joe unsuccessfully challenged Magnus in acage match following interference from Abyss.[167]
In June 2014, Joe defeatedLow Ki andSanada in the finals of atournament to win theTNA X Division Championship for a fifth and final time.[168] AtHardcore Justice in August 2014, Joe successfully defended the X Division Championship against Low Ki. However, he vacated the title the following month due to an injury.[169] AtBound for Glory in theKorakuen Hall inTokyo, Japan in October 2014, Joe defended the title againstKaz Hayashi and Low Ki by in athree way dance despite not being the champion at the time, as the angle in which he vacated the title did not air until November 2014 due to abroadcast delay.
On the January 7, 2015 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Joe, MVP, Kenny King, Low Ki, and Eric Young helped Bobby Lashley win theTNA World Heavyweight Championship from Bobby Roode. MVP subsequently named the group theBeat Down Clan and declared Lashley to be a founding member. However, Lashley refused to join the Beat Down Clan, prompting the Beat Down Clan to attack him. AtLockdown later that month, the Beat Down Clan lost to Lashley,Austin Aries,Gunner, andKurt Angle in aLethal Lockdown match. Writing for theWrestling Observer Newsletter, Kyle Johnson described Joe as "relegated to little more than a henchman in a cumbersome heel stable".[75] Joe wrestled his final match for TNA on January 31, 2015, losing to Austin Aries inWembley Arena inLondon, England (due to broadcast delay the match did not air until March 2015).[75] In February 2015, Joe announced his departure from TNA, ending his run of nearly a decade with the company.[42] According to Joe, he left TNA because of an incident during the European tour when the X Division Champion, Low Ki, suffered an injury and Joe was forced to book a match where he would lose the title; perceiving that TNA management did not care about the title change, he told TNA President Dixie Carter he would leave TNA.[170]
In March 2006, Joe debuted in the MexicanLucha Libre AAA Worldwide promotion as a member of the villainousLa Legión Extranjera stable. AtRey de Reyes inCiudad Madero, Joe teamed withKonnan andRon Killings to take part in a four-way twelve-man tag team match pitting various factions against one another; the match was won by Lucha Libre AAA World Wide representativesOctagón,La Parka, andVampiro. Joe returned to the promotion in September 2006 atVerano de Escándalo inNaucalpan, where he teamed with AJ Styles, Homicide, and Low Ki to defeatAbismo Negro,Charly Manson,Electroshock, andHisteria in aneight-man tag team match, then teamed with Styles and Low Ki to defeat the Mexican Powers (Crazy Boy,Joe Líder andJuventud Guerrera) in asix-man tag team match.[171][172][173]
Joe returned to Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide in July 2011 as a member of the villainous factionLa Sociedad. On 16 July inOrizaba, he teamed withL.A. Park andScott Steiner to defeatDr. Wagner Jr.,Electroshock, andEl Zorro. On July 31 inGuadalajara, he teamed withSilver King andÚltimo Gladiador in a loss toDrago, Electroshock andHeavy Metal. The matches were broadcast onAAA Sin Limite onTelevisa Deportes the following month.[173]
On October 25, 2007, Joe made his debut for the Japanese promotionPro Wrestling Noah as part of its "Autumn Navigation" tour. Wrestling inYokohama, he teamed withYoshihiro Takayama to defeatMitsuharu Misawa andTakeshi Morishima.[174][175] Two days later, Joe challenged Misawa for theGHC Heavyweight Championship in a one-on-one match at theNippon Budokan inTokyo, losing by pinfall after Misawa struck the back of Joe's head with hiselbow.[176]
On July 22, 2012, Joe returned to Pro Wrestling Noah as part of its "Great Voyage" tour. Teaming withMagnus, he defeated Special Assault Team (Akitoshi Saito andJun Akiyama) to win theGHC Tag Team Championship in theRyōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.[177][178] Joe made his final appearance with Pro Wrestling Noah several months later on October 8, when he and Magnus lost the GHC Tag Team Championship to No Mercy (Kenta andMaybach Taniguchi) in Yokohama.[175][179][180]
After departing Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in February 2015, Samoa Joe briefly returned to ROH the following month.[5][181] After defeatingKyle O'Reilly,ACH, andMichael Elgin in successive matches, Joe unsuccessfully challenged ROH World ChampionJay Briscoe in the main event ofSupercard of Honor IX on March 27.[182][183] On June 20, Joe teamed withAJ Styles to defeatROH World Tag Team ChampionsChristopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian in a non-title match. Joe subsequently left Ring of Honor once again.[184]
In 2015, Samoa Joe was signed to a non-exclusive developmental contract byWWE.[14][21] On May 20, 2015, during the main event ofNXT TakeOver: Unstoppable, he stoppedKevin Owens from attackingSami Zayn with a chair.[185] Joe made his in-ring debut at the May 21NXT tapings, defeatingScott Dawson in a match that aired on June 10.[186] While initially Joe's contact enabled him to continue working outside WWE, on June 1, WWE signed him to a full-time contract due to his impressive merchandise sales.[14][75][187][188][189] On the same day, Joe wrestledTyson Kidd in aWWE Superstarsdark match; the match ended when Kidd suffered alegitimate career-endingspinal cord injury when Joe gave him amuscle buster;[190] in 2025, Joe called the injury the biggest regret of his career.[191] Joe won the inauguralDusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament withNXT ChampionFinn Bálor as his partner, defeatingBaron Corbin andRhyno in the finals atNXT TakeOver: Respect in October 2015.[192]
On the November 4, 2015 episode ofNXT, Joeturned on Finn Bálor by attacking him after a match againstApollo Crews.[193] In December 2015 atNXT TakeOver: London, Joe unsuccessfully challenged Bálor for the NXT Championship.[194] Writing for theWrestling Observer Newsletter, Kyle Johnson described Joe as "leaner, focused, motivated, and completely revitalized [...] as hungry as he had been in 2003-05 when he was still making his name in Ring of Honor and TNA."[75] After defeatingSami Zayn in atwo out of three falls match to become the number one contender on the March 9 episode ofNXT, Joe challenged Bálor once again atNXT TakeOver: Dallas in April 2016, losing after suffering a largelaceration to his right cheek minutes into the match.[195][196] Later that month at a NXTlive event inLowell, Massachusetts, Joe finally defeated Bálor to win the NXT Championship.[197][198] In his first title defense, Joe defeated Bálor in asteel cage match in June 2016 atNXT TakeOver: The End, marking the end of their feud.[199]
Joe then engaged in a feud withShinsuke Nakamura, who defeated him in a title match on August 20 atNXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II, ending his reign at 121 days.[200] During the match, Joe suffered a legitimate dislocated jaw.[201] On November 19 atNXT TakeOver: Toronto, Joe defeated Nakamura in a rematch to win back the title.[202] However, he lost the title back to Nakamura on December 3, 2016, inOsaka, Japan, ending his second reign at 14 days. Joe's feud with Nakamura ended on December 8, 2016, inMelbourne, Australia when Nakamura successfully defended the NXT Championship against him in a steel cage match.[203]
Joe debuted on WWE's main roster on the January 30, 2017 episode ofRaw, attackingSeth Rollins and aligning himself withTriple H.[204] Joe participated in the following PPVsFastlane,[205] andPayback.[206] After he won anExtreme Rules match atExtreme Rules, he to became the number one contender to theWWE Universal Championship,[207] but lost against the champion Brock Lesnar atWWE Great Balls of Fire[208] andSummerSlam. During ahouse show later that month, Joe suffered a knee injury.[209][210]
Joe returned from injury on the October 30, 2017 episode ofRaw. AtSurvivor Series in November 2017, Joe teamed with Finn Bálor, Braun Strowman, Triple H andKurt Angle (as "Team Raw") to defeatBobby Roode,John Cena,Randy Orton,Shane McMahon, andShinsuke Nakamura (as "Team SmackDown") in aSurvivor Series match. He went on to feud withThe Shield, costingDean Ambrose and Seth Rollins aRaw Tag Team Championship match againstCesaro and Sheamus and unsuccessfully challenging Roman Reigns for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. In January 2018, Joe suffered a tear to theplantar fascia in his right foot during a match withTitus O'Neil.[210]
Joe returned from injury in April 2018 followingWrestleMania 34.[211] At theGreatest Royal Rumble that month, he unsuccessfully challenged Seth Rollins for the Intercontinental Championship in aladder match also involving Finn Bálor andThe Miz.[212] AtBacklash in May 2018, Joe lost to Roman Reigns.[213] AtMoney in the Bank in June 2018, Joe competed in the titularMoney in the Bank ladder match, which was won by Braun Strowman. Joe unsuccessfully challengedWWE Champion AJ Styles atSummerSlam in August 2018, atHell in a Cell in September 2018, a third time atSuper Show-Down in October 2018, and a fourth time atCrown Jewel in November 2018. AtSurvivor Series later that month, Joe teamed with Jeff Hardy, The Miz,Rey Mysterio, and Shane McMahon (as "Team SmackDown") in a loss toBobby Lashley, Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre, and Finn Bálor (as "Team Raw").[214] In January 2019, Joe competed in theRoyal Rumble but was eliminated byMustafa Ali. AtElimination Chamber in February 2019, Joe unsuccessfully challengedDaniel Bryan for theWWE Championship in anElimination Chamber match that also included AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy,Kofi Kingston, and Randy Orton.[215]
On the March 5, 2019 episode ofSmackDown Live, Joe defeatedR-Truth,Rey Mysterio, andAndrade in afatal four way match to win theWWE United States Championship.[216][217] AtFastlane later that month, Joe successfully defended the title in a rematch.[218] AtWrestleMania 35 in April 2019, Joe successfully defended the title against Mysterio in a singles match lasting under one minute.[210][219] AtMoney in the Bank in May 2019, Joe lost the title to Mysterio.[220] On the June 3 episode ofRaw, Mysterio was forced to relinquish the WWE United States Championship due to aseparated shoulder, and surrendered the title to Joe.[221] AtStomping Grounds later that month, Joe lost the WWE United States Championship toRicochet.[222]
The night after losing the United States Championship, Joe attackedWWE ChampionKofi Kingston, leading to a title match atExtreme Rules in July 2019 that was won by Kingston.[223][224] At theSmackville event later that month, Joe unsuccessfully challenged Kingston for the title in atriple threat match also involving Dolph Ziggler.[225] In August to September 2019, Joe competed in the2019 King of the Ring tournament, defeatingCesaro in the first round, wrestling Ricochet to a draw in the quarter-finals, and losing toBaron Corbin in the semi-finals in a triple threat match also involving Ricochet.[226][227][228] Following the match, Joe became inactive while rehabilitating a broken thumb.[229] While injured, Joe began appearing as a color commentator on the November 18, 2019 episode ofRaw (replacingDio Maddin) as well as appearing onWWE Backstage.[230]
On the December 23, 2019 episode ofRaw, Joe was attacked by theAuthors of Pain.[231] The following week onRaw, Joe savedKevin Owens from an attack by the Authors of Pain andSeth Rollins.[232] Joe returned to the ring in January 2020. Later that month he competed in theRoyal Rumble, being eliminated by Rollins. On the February 10 episode ofRaw, Joe teamed with Owens and the Viking Raiders in a loss to Rollins, the Authors of Pain, andMurphy; this was his penultimate match with WWE and his last match for 18 months.[233] Later that month, it was reported that Joe had injured his head during a commercial shoot and was not medically cleared to compete.[210] Four days later, Joe was suspended for 30 days for violating theWWE wellness policy.[234]
Joe returned to television on the April 27, 2020 episode ofRaw, replacingJerry Lawler as theRaw color commentator. He was named "Commentator of the Year" for 2020 byCBS Sports.[235] He remained on theRaw commentary team until April 12, 2021, when he was replaced byCorey Graves. He was released by WWE on April 15, 2021.[236]
In June 2021, Joe was rehired by WWE, reportedly at the behest of NXT's head producerTriple H.[237] Joe made his return on the June 15 episode ofNXT, being presented as the "enforcer" of NXT's general managerWilliam Regal.[238] Over the next few weeks, Joe feuded with NXT ChampionKarrion Kross, leading to a title match atNXT TakeOver 36 inOrlando, Florida on August 22 where Joe defeated Kross to win the NXT Championship for an unprecedented third time.[239] This was Joe's sole match during his 2021 to 2022 run with WWE.[233] On September 12, 2021, Joe relinquished the NXT Championship before making any title defenses; he stated in 2022 that he vacated the title due to a combination of him testing positive forCOVID-19 and WWE chairmanVince McMahon wanting to change the overall creative direction of NXT.[240][241] After recovering from COVID-19, Joe was assigned to work as a trainer backstage. He was released by WWE once again on January 6, 2022, having not reappeared on television since his third reign as NXT Champion.[242]
Samoa Joe returned to Ring of Honor, now owned byAll Elite Wrestling (AEW) co-founder and presidentTony Khan, on April 1, 2022, atSupercard of Honor XV, coming to the aid ofJonathan Gresham andLee Moriarty after they were attacked byJay Lethal andSonjay Dutt.[34] Following this, Tony Khan announced that Joe had signed with AEW.[243] On the April 6 episode ofAEW Dynamite, Joe made his in-ring AEW debut, defeatingMax Caster to qualify for the2022 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.[244] On the following episode ofAEW Dynamite, Joe defeatedMinoru Suzuki to win theROH World Television Championship, becoming anROH Triple Crown winner in the process.[34][245] Joe defeatedJohnny Elite in the quarter-finals andKyle O'Reilly in the semi-finals of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament before losing toAdam Cole in the final atDouble or Nothing due to interference byBobby Fish.
AtDeath Before Dishonor in July 2022, Joe successfully defended the ROH World Television Championship against Jay Lethal.[246] Due to their common problems with Lethal,Sonjay Dutt, andSatnam Singh, Joe began teaming withAEW TNT ChampionWardlow as "WarJoe". The duo defeatedJosh Woods andTony Nese atGrand Slam in September 2023. The team broke up due to Joe attacking Wardlow afterPowerhouse Hobbs began eyeing Wardlow's TNT Championship, causing Wardlow to unintentionally undermine Joe and his ROH World Television Championship turningheel.[247] This set up athree-way match for the TNT Championship between Joe, Wardlow, and Hobbs atFull Gear in November 2022, where Joe defeated Wardlow and Hobbs to win the TNT Championship, making him a double champion.[248] After winning both television championships, Joe began referring to himself as the "King of Television".[249] On the November 30, 2022 episode ofDynamite, Joe made his first successful TNT Championship defense againstAR Fox.[250] The following week onDynamite, Joe defeated former TNT ChampionDarby Allin in another defense. After Joe attacked Allin post-match, Wardlow ran to the ring, causing Joe to flee.[251] At the ROH pay-per-viewFinal Battle in December 2022, Joe successfully defended the ROH World Television Championship againstJuice Robinson.[252] Later that month atDynamite: New Year's Smash, Joe successfully defended the TNT Championship against Wardlow, then cut off a portion of Wardlow's hair after the match.[253]
On the January 4, 2023 episode ofDynamite, Joe lost the TNT Championship to Allin, ending his reign at 46 days.[254] On the February 1 episode ofDynamite, Joe regained the title after defeating Allin in ano holds barred match. After the match, he was attacked by a returning Wardlow.[253] Wardlow subsequently defeated Joe to win the TNT Championship atRevolution in March 2023.[255]
Throughout mid-2023, Joe successfully defended the ROH World Television Championship against challengers such asMark Briscoe,Colt Cabana,Blake Christian,Matt Sydal, andDalton Castle. In June 2023, he entered the2023 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament, but was eliminated byCM Punk in the semi-finals the following month.[256]
AtAll In: London in August 2023, Joe unsuccessfully challenged CM Punk for the"Real World Championship".[257] The following month atAll Out, Joe successfully defended the ROH World Television Championship againstShane Taylor; on his way to the ring, Joe jostledAEW World ChampionMJF, leading to a brawl.[258] Subsequently, Joe entered theGrand Slam World Championship Eliminator Tournament, defeatingJeff Hardy in the quarter-finals;Penta El Zero Miedo in the semi-finals; andRoderick Strong in the final;[259][260][261] atGrand Slam on September 20, he unsuccessfully challenged MJF for the AEW World Championship.[262] On November 2, Joe became the longest-reigning ROH World Television Champion in history at 574 days.[263]On November 10, 2023, Joe vacated the ROH World Television Championship in order to focus on challenging for the AEW World Championship.[263]
AtFull Gear in November 2023, Joe (substituting for the injuredAdam Cole) teamed with MJF to successfully defend theROH World Tag Team Championship againstthe Gunns.[264] In return for teaming with MJF, Joe was granted a second shot at the AEW World Championship atWorlds End in theNassau Coliseum inUniondale, New York in December 2023.[265][266] The match saw Joe cleanly defeat MJF by technical submission using theCoquina Clutch to win the AEW World Championship.[267][268] He defeatedHook in his first title defense in January 2024.[269][270] AtRevolution in March 2024, Joe successfully defended his title against"Hangman" Adam Page andSwerve Strickland in athree-way match, submitting Page using the Coquina Clutch.[271] Joe went on to successfully defend his title againstWardlow atAEW Big Business.[269] AtAEW Dynasty in April 2024, Joe lost the title to Strickland, ending his reign at 113 days.[272]
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Following his loss to Strickland, Joe turned face and formed a tag team with Hook.[273] After a short feud with the Premier Athletes, Joe, Hook, andKatsuyori Shibata defeatedChris Jericho'sLearning Tree stable andJeff Cobb in atrios match atForbidden Door in June 2024.[274][275] In July 2024, Joe was removed from theScotiabank Saddledome in an ambulance after losing a "Stampede Street Fight" to Jericho when Jericho drove him through a wall using aforklift; the angle was used to explain Joe going on hiatus to film season two ofTwisted Metal.[276]
Joe returned in January 2025 atAEW Maximum Carnage, saving Hook from an attack byThe Patriarchy.[277] In February 2025, the trio of Joe, Hook, and Shibata were named "The Opps."[278] In April 2025, atDynamite: Spring BreakThru, Joe, Shibata, andPowerhouse Hobbs (substituting for an injured Hook) defeated theDeath Riders for theAEW World Trios Championship.[279] The next night atCollision: Spring BreakThru, Joe inducted Hobbs as a member of The Opps.[280] On May 14 atDynamite: Beach Break, Joe unsuccessfully challenged Death Riders leader Jon Moxley for theAEW World Championship in asteel cage match.[281] On May 25 atDouble or Nothing, The Opps teamed withKenny Omega,Swerve Strickland, andWillow Nightingale to defeat the Death Riders andThe Young Bucks in anAnarchy in the Arena match.[282] On July 12 atAll In: Texas, The Opps successfully defended the AEW World Trios Championship against the Death Riders andGabe Kidd.[283] After the match, Joe was attacked by the Death Riders and stretchered off; the angle was used to allow Joe to go on hiatus to promote season two ofTwisted Metal.[284] Joe returned the following month, with the Opps successfully defending the AEW World Trios Championship againstBullet Club War Dogs atForbidden Door: London.[285] AtAll Out in September 2025, Joe and Hobbs defeated the WorkHorsemen (Anthony Henry and JD Drake).[285] In the same month, Hook returned from injury but departed The Opps.[286]
On the October 1, 2025 episode ofDynamite, Joe and Hobbs teamed with AEW World Champion"Hangman" Adam Page to defeat the Death Riders. Following the match, an argument broke out between Joe and Page, leading Page to challenge Joe to a match for Page's World Championship atWrestleDream later that month.[287] After Page defeated Joe at WrestleDream, Joe and the rest of the Opps turned heel and attacked Page,[288] leading to a rematch atFull Gear on November 22, 2025,[289] where Joe defeated Page in asteel cage match with the assistance of Hook, winning the AEW World Championship for a second time.[290][291]
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Samoa Joe wrestles in a "technician" and "powerhouse" style,[292] with "blistering,MMA-inspired offense".[4]Ring of Honor described him as "one of the hardest-hitting and most intense competitors in the sport".[5] His signature moves include the "Coquina Clutch" (arear naked choke),[292][293][294][295] the "Coquina Plex" (asleeper suplex),[2] thefacewash,[2] the "Island Driver" (asitout side powerslam),[292][295] themuscle buster,[292][294][295][296] the "Olé Kick" (aYakuza kick),[295] theSTF,[292][295] the "STJoe" (anSTO),[292][295] and theuranage.[4] Joe is also known for a maneuver colloquially dubbed the "nope spot", which sees him casually walk out of the way of an opponent executing anaerial maneuver.[297]
Joe's ring attire typically comprises shorts colored black and gold, green, or red, along with black knee pads, athletic tape on his left fist, and a towel draped around his neck.[298]
Joe's use of submission holds saw him nicknamed the "Samoan Submission Machine".[3][296] In 2022, after winning theAEW TNT Championship andROH World Television Championship, Joe began referring to himself as the "King of Television".[249]
For much of his career, Joe used the opening riff ofGodzilla vs. Mothra by ofAkira Ifukube as part of his entrance.[299]
In 2006, Joe made brief appearances on the American version of the television showDistraction, participating in a round where wrestlers performed moves on contestants while they answered questions.[300] In June 2022, Joe was announced as doing the physical performance of the characterSweet Tooth forPeacock's adaptation ofTwisted Metal (the character was voiced byWill Arnett).[301] Joe has voiced characters in the animated web seriesTransformers: Power of the Primes[302] and video games includingDota 2,Dota Underlords,Game of Thrones,Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League andLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.[303][304][305][306]
In April 2014, Joe launched a video game streaming channel onTwitch.[307] He has appeared onRob Van Dam's web-based reality showRVD TV numerous times.[308] In 2023, Joe appeared on theDoughboys podcast, reviewingTaco Bell.[309]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Transformers: Power of the Primes | Predaking | Voice; 4 episodes[302] |
| 2023–present | Twisted Metal | Marcus "Needles" Kane / Sweet Tooth | Physical performance only, dubbed byWill Arnett[301] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Dota 2 | Juggernaut | |
| 2014 | Game of Thrones | Beast | [303] |
| 2020 | Dota Underlords | Juggernaut | |
| 2024 | Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League | Nanaue / King Shark | [305] |
| 2025 | Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii | Raymond Law | [310][306][311] |
| TBA | Deadlock | Abrams | [312] |
Seanoa married his wife, Jessica, in 2007.[303] He is close friends with fellow wrestlersCM Punk,Homicide,Christopher Daniels,AJ Styles, andRob Van Dam.[21][33][300]
Seanoa is ofSamoan descent; unlike many Samoan wrestlers, he is not part of theAnoaʻi family.[313]
Seanoa avidly trains inBrazilian jiu-jitsu,judo, andMuay Thai. He was often noted as a sparring partner forTeam Punishment memberJustin McCully, and was often in attendance in the locker room for Team Punishment fighters such asTito Ortiz andKendall Grove.[300][314]
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Many of the wrestlers who trained at the Inoki Dojo went on to a lot of success in professional wrestling. Samoa Joe,Bryan Danielson,T.J. Perkins,Karl Anderson,Fergal Devitt, and more are now part of theWWE.Rocky Romero went on to become a formerIWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion, an 8-timeIWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, and has been a longtime member of theNJPW roster.
(translated from German) Zero-One "Shingeki":Samoa Joe & Keiji Sakoda defeated Yuki Ishikawa & Katsumi Usuda (16:48)
(translated from German) Kohei Sato [2] defeated Samoa Joe [0] (8:25) with a Cross Armbreaker / Samoa Joe [2] defeated George Takano [1] (5:24) with a Lariat. / Samoa Joe [4] defeated Masato Tanaka [3] (8:00) with the Emerald Frosion
February 2: The huge story of the week is that Joe announced his farewell tour to ROH in a very emotional promo in the new ROH Video Wire.
Samoa Joe showed the entire WWE roster why they should fear theCoquina Clutch when he made his Raw debut. The submission specialist trappedSeth Rollins in a rear-naked choke, then brought him to the mat, injuring his knee and putting him on the shelf.
Young's resilience only infuriated Samoa Joe, who hit theMuscle Buster and made Young tap out with theCoquina Clutch.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
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