WWE shocked the world by releasing Samoa Joe as a part of their annual ‘spring cleaning’. Despite not winning a World Championship, Joe was one of the best wrestlers and talkers in the company. He suffered an injury in 2020 which kept him out of action, but there’s a shocking update on why he never returned to the ring.
WWE did not clear Samoa Joe to compete
via Imago
Professional Wrestling: WWE SummerSlam: Brock Lesnar in action vs Samoa Joe during match at Barclays Center.
Brooklyn, NY 8/20/2017
CREDIT: Chad Matthew Carlson (Photo by Chad Matthew Carlson /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Set Number: X161332 TK1 )
In February 2020, Samoa Joe suffered a head injury that put him out of action for WrestleMania season. He then received a suspension for violating WWE’s Wellness Policy and returned in April to join the Raw commentary team.
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Joe worked as a commentator alongside Byron Saxton and Tom Phillips until after WrestleMania 37. WWE released him alongside the likes of Bo Dallas, Mickie James, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Mojo Rawley, Tucker, Chelsea Green, Kalisto and Wesley Blake.
Samoa Joe had recently expressed his desire to wrestle, but he was not medically cleared by WWE, per @FightfulWrestle pic.twitter.com/Na4rJ5BNI6
— B/R Wrestling (@BRWrestling) April 16, 2021
According to Fightful Select (H/T Wrestling News), WWE did not medically clear Joe to return to the ring. The former United States Champion expressed his desire to return since his injuries healed but did not receive a positive affirmation from the company.
Losing Joe might not be a big issue for WWE, especially since Corey Graves is back on the Raw commentary team. Graves’ replacement on SmackDown is Pat McAfee, who has a great dynamic with Michael Cole. As for Joe, he will be a valuable asset to whichever promotion he goes to, whether as a wrestler or commentator.
Where will we see Joe next?
via Getty
TOKYO,JAPAN – JUNE 29: Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura compete during the WWE Live Tokyo at Ryogoku Kokugikan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
A Superstar possessing talents on par with Samoa Joe will be a valuable asset. From Ring of Honor to TNA to WWE, Joe has wowed audiences with his freakish athleticism, strong character work, and excellent promos. He might even be in the conversation for the greatest wrestler of the 2010s.
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AEW has become a haven for WWE rejects and superstars the company discarded over the years. From Matt Hardy to Jon Moxley, ex-WWE stars are enjoying their new roles in Tony Khan’s kingdom.
It would be great to see Joe mix it up with AEW’s best and brightest. He would also kill it on commentary.
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If Joe returns to IMPACT or Ring of Honor, he would be a great nostalgia-driven run. While WWE never put their main title on him, it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if Joe became World Champion in IMPACT, AEW, ROH, or even NJPW.
Read More: WATCH: The Rivalry With Samoa Joe That Made WWE Sign CM Punk
