Where Should Samoa Joe Go?

On April 15, 2021, WWE had a slew of post-WrestleMania releases from their active roster. Among those released were Billie Kay and Peyton Royce, Bo Dallas, Mickie James and others. But the most shocking release came in the form of one Samoa Joe.

Samoa Joe is an independent wrestling legend, making his name throughout the early 2000s primarily in Ring of Honor, among the likes of Brian Danielson, AJ Styles, CM Punk and Christopher Daniels. Samoa Joe then went on to become a mainstay of TNA/Impact Wrestling for nearly a decade.

Joe, real name Nuufolau Joel Seanoa, signed with WWE in the spring of 2015, uniquely on a non-exclusive contract. Joe was allowed to maintain non-televised independent bookings while appearing on WWE television. This was the case until Ring of Honor and Impact Wrestling began working together on a national deal, at which point Samoa Joe signed exclusively with WWE in June of 2015.

Samoa Joe's NXT tenure was successful, winning the inaugural Dusty Rhodes Tag Team classic alongside Finn Balor, as well as defeating Balor for the NXT Championship.

After a number of injuries, and a middling run on the main roster, Samoa Joe transitioned to a broadcasting role, acting as an analyst on Monday Night Raw, as well as various WWE Network talk shows.

While surprising, it is understandable that WWE has parted ways with the unique hybrid athlete. According to the Pro Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Joe and WWE parted ways due to his advanced age (42) and inability to stay healthy on a long-term basis.

WWE seemed to feel the same way about Christian…Cage.

Which leaves the question, what is Samoa Joe to do?

Sign with All Elite Wrestling

Samoa Joe choking out current AEW Superstar Chris Jericho during their brief overlap in WWE. ( via WWE)

There's no sensible reason why Samoa Joe couldn't sign with AEW in late July. Precedent was set when the company was founded on the backs of wrestlers like Chris Jericho and Cody Rhodes. 

Plenty of former WWE talent has defected to the fledgling national promotion in the year and a half since its television debut.

On the other hand, AEW has overloaded its roster in the last few months, with a healthy combination of former WWE superstars and young independent talent. Joe could mistakenly get lost in the mix.

Return to Impact Wrestling

Samoa Joe showing his athleticism off during his TNA tenure. (via Impact Wrestling)

Under different management from when he left, Impact Wrestling has become one of the most intriguing companies throughout this strange pandemic era of wrestling.

Impact has been able to lift up the cache of Sami Callahan, Chris Bey, Rich Swann and Moose, amongst others, over the last number of months by presenting them as stars. 

Not to mention, Impact has a relationship with both AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, which has opened the “forbidden door,” allowing them to bring talent like Kenny Omega, FinJuice and the Young Bucks into the fold.

Go Home to Ring of Honor

Samoa Joe sharing a handshake with longtime Ring of Honor arrival, CM Punk. (via Ring of Honor)

ROH spent the most time without presenting its audience with content through the pandemic. But now that they are back on track, they could afford to bring a living legend like Samoa Joe into the mix. 

ROH has talent like Rush, Flip Gordon, EC3 and Jay Lethal. All of which are talented and fairly well known. But since parting ways with Marty Scurll last year, Ring of Honor could certainly benefit from a homecoming in the form of this household name.

Remain Independent

Samoa Joe defending his Ring of Honor World Championship in the United Kingdom. (via Ring of Honor)

In recent years, there have been superstars that work independently throughout the United States and remain unsigned, despite the boom of televised pro wrestling that is currently underway.

The measures of success as an independent talent are varying.

While Lio Rush and ACH have been able to work for multiple companies and perform at a high level since their release from WWE, other talent like Alberto El Patron and Aron Stevens (Damien Sandow) have not found such stability.

After Samoa Joe’s 90-day non-compete clause is up, it’s anybody’s guess as to where The Samoan Submission Machine will end up. And although his best days may be behind him, there is likely plenty in the tank for Joe to burn through, as he destroys his competition outside of WWE.

Prediction: Impact Wrestling, part-time basis.