Over the years, WWE has released numerous superstars, and their reactions to these experiences have varied. Samoa Joe, however, managed to turn his situation around and viewed things from his unique perspective.
Samoa Joe faced release from WWE twice—first in April 2021, and again in January 2022. While such setbacks might have marked the end of the road for many wrestlers, Joe’s journey continued as he found a new home with AEW, where Tony Khan recognized and harnessed his talent.
During an interview on The Markout, Samoa Joe reflected on the day he received the news of his release, describing the whirlwind of emotions and rapid changes he faced. He summed it up as a day that was both good and bad at the same time.
Joe recounted how the situation unfolded in real-time, explaining that although he understood the reasons behind WWE’s decision, the sudden shifts were surreal.
He shared, “It was wild. You hear about being released and understand the context, so it’s not that shocking. But then within hours, you’re on a TV show? That was wild.” He illustrated this with a personal anecdote of telling his wife about his release and then returning shortly after to say, “I think I’m on a TV show right now.”
Samoa Joe described his casting as a surreal twist of fate. Just hours after being released, he received an unexpected call from Carter Swann, a longtime friend and Sony’s lead producer, who asked if he was available. Despite not having spoken for eight years, Swann reached out, and Joe, candidly admitting he had nothing else going on, took the opportunity.
That single phone call transformed what could have been a career setback into a life-changing chance. Now, Samoa Joe is thriving in this new chapter, becoming a prominent figure in a unique metal-themed franchise linked with AEW and ROH.
Fan Take: This news is significant for WWE fans because it highlights the unpredictable nature of a wrestling career and Joe’s resilience in navigating setbacks. His success outside WWE not only underscores the importance of diverse opportunities in wrestling but also hints at exciting collaborations and fresh talent dynamics that could shape the sport’s future.
