Report: Big Name Expected To Sign With WWE

[Jack-Hammer]

According to F4WOnline.com, former ROH & TNA star Samoa Joe is expected to sign a deal with WWE soon. The report suggests that a deal hasn't been signed as of yet but that both sides will some come to an agreement. The report further states that Triple H is the one likely behind the deal and various reports have stated that he's a big fan of Joe.

To be perfectly honest, I don't expect much to come from this because if there's someone that definitely does not fit the cosmetic mold Vince McMahon is looking for, it's Samoa Joe. ALLEGEDLY, over the years, TNA officials repeatedly asked Joe to lose some weight and tone up some, but it's never happened. I don't know if said reports are true but if they are and a similar request is made by WWE officials, Joe'll have to follow through or he'll probably be gone. Even if Joe does shine in NXT under Triple H's watch, it's a different story on the main roster where Vince McMahon has the final word and I just don't have confidence in Vince's ability to do anything with someone that he doesn't think looks good.

I also don't really see the need for Joe to head to NXT for any reasonable amount of time. Joe turns 36 years old in a couple of weeks and realistically speaking, there's probably not a whole lot of time to really get the most out of Joe. Joe's also been wrestling since the late 1990s and while there are a lot of veteran "rookies" in NXT, Joe's age is one reason why I'm not expecting a whole helluva lot to come from this.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Good for him, honestly. I have no idea if it means NXT or the main roster, or what, but he deserves the shot at fame that only WWE can offer him at this point in his career. I was never a huge Joe mark one way or another, but I'd probably check out his debut if I knew about it in advance.

As to his weight, maybe he loses some or maybe not, but from what I read, there's a lot of hype and hope in Kevin Steen, who has a body for radio if I've ever seen one, so who knows – maybe they look past it? I mean, isn't it past time WWE stopped showing preference to male models over performance anyway? If the guy can go, and Joe can go, why not let him?

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

Wow, that's a surprise! I wouldn't have thought Joe was someone on WWE's radar, due to being someone who doesn't fit the usual "look" of a WWE Superstar, being a TNA guy and already being in his mid-30s. However, I do hope this story is true as I think there's definitely a spot for Joe on the WWE roster.

Has this been confirmed as a true story? If so, it must be Triple H who's got in Vince's ear about giving Joe a shot, as he's apparently been a fan of his for a while now. I don't think WWE have anything to lose in offering Joe a 1-2 year deal, with the understanding that he DOES try and get into a bit better shape. I'd expect Joe would take it, as I doubt he really expected to receive interest from the 'E.

If this does happen, I'd expect a short NXT run before a main roster debut, but as he's had matches with so many ex-WWE guys during his TNA run he already knows the style...so Id like to see him on the main roster immediately.

 

[laodaron]

I'm certainly not a Samoa Joe fan, especially since about 2008 when he peaked, but this could do some real morale boosting and bring some real credibility to the NXT system.

There's no real place for Joe on the main roster. His gimmick is more hardcore than the WWE is right now, and there isn't much else left of him at this point. But he could be an incredible trainer and an incredible enhancement talent at the NXT level. I mean, many of the guys coming through there watched Joe's career through the Indys and into TNA, and now with a chance to learn form him, I could see a positive.

The worst thing to do is to package him as the "Samoan MONSTER!" and bring him in Umaga style or to even present him to the main roster as anyone but Samoa Joe. Since they won't do that, have him teach the next generation while living comfortably on the WWE payroll.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Reminds me of Major League Baseball, in which a proven talent whose best days are behind him often signs a minor league contract.....at a minor league salary....to see if he's still able to make a useful contribution to the major league team. If so, he goes up to the big show.

In Joe's case, I wouldn't be surprised if getting in better physical condition is the stipulation that will get him off NXT and onto Raw. If so, he'd be aware of it and presumably willing to make the effort, no?

On the one hand, I would think a man of Joe's experience would view a move to NXT as a step down from where he's been. On the other hand, I wonder how a NXT salary compares to that of TNA or ROH. Does anyone know?

At this stage of his career, I would think he'd like to sock away some bucks toward his eventual retirement. If he accomplishes this goal on a NXT contract.....and WWE saves money on a performer they're not sure of at his present weight and level of conditioning.....it could be a win for everyone involved if he makes it.

 

[laodaron]

See, I view NXT as a massive step up from TNA. Hell, I see NXT as a step up from Japan, as did KENTA. Really, in a place that has Sami Zayn, Devitt, KENTA, and now Samoa Joe, it's an Indy paradise. Really, I think that's much better than anything TNA could offer a guy like Joe, except for another Abyss feud followed by a Kurt Angle feud.

 

[TheICChampion]

I'm all for it if only to see how well he can do in NXT. I doubt he'll make it very far on the main roster, especially when you consider he's only got so many years left.

 

[Nick Vibe]

Good for him, honestly. I have no idea if it means NXT or the main roster, or what, but he deserves the shot at fame that only WWE can offer him at this point in his career. I was never a huge Joe mark one way or another, but I'd probably check out his debut if I knew about it in advance.

As to his weight, maybe he loses some or maybe not, but from what I read, there's a lot of hype and hope in Kevin Steen, who has a body for radio if I've ever seen one, so who knows – maybe they look past it? I mean, isn't it past time WWE stopped showing preference to male models over performance anyway? If the guy can go, and Joe can go, why not let him?

That was true in his indie days but it's clear that Steen has put work into his physique. He has'nt an exceptional body by any means for a big man, but you can see that at least his arms are toned up and remember, tanning makes guys seem more ripped than they are which may be one more reason to consider him doing some body work.

As far as Joe goes I think that IF he signs, whether he goes to NXT or straight to the main roster, he will have to improve his physique by at least cutting some fat. Or the WWE is beggining to head more towards a Triple H era of controlling things which will mean that Joe's physique won't be THAT much of a problem. One way or the other I believe he will have to be leaner. Maybe he wants and plans to do it as well, who knows.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

See, I view NXT as a massive step up from TNA. Hell, I see NXT as a step up from Japan, as did KENTA. Really, in a place that has Sami Zayn, Devitt, KENTA, and now Samoa Joe, it's an Indy paradise. Really, I think that's much better than anything TNA could offer a guy like Joe, except for another Abyss feud followed by a Kurt Angle feud.

Is it actually a step up or is it a step sideways, toward feuds he hasn't been privy to being in TNA so long?

I see this kind of argument all the time. Now, admittedly, I don't watch NXT, so I completely understand why someone would reject my opinion, but is it actually a step up for these guys, or simply a required stepping stone to where they want to be?

To bridge this, what I'm saying is, if you are a hockey player playing in Europe, and an NHL team has interest in you, is playing in the AHL before you eventually make (or don't make) the NHL truly a "step up" for you, or is it more a requirement that you'll go through because the actual step up is the NHL, and this is just part of the work required to get there?

 

[laodaron]

It's still a step up. If you play baseball in Japan, and a US team picks you up to go to the minors, it's a step up. If the NBA grabs a guy from the Euro league and puts him in the D-League, it's a step up. If an Indy-fed guy or a TNA guy gets a shot at NXT, it's a step up. Going to the WWE is a MASSIVE step up.

I get that you don't watch NXT, but the NXT production is miles above TNA. TNA is glorified ROH at this point, anymore.

 

[Nick Vibe]

It's still a step up. If you play baseball in Japan, and a US team picks you up to go to the minors, it's a step up. If the NBA grabs a guy from the Euro league and puts him in the D-League, it's a step up. If an Indy-fed guy or a TNA guy gets a shot at NXT, it's a step up. Going to the WWE is a MASSIVE step up.

I get that you don't watch NXT, but the NXT production is miles above TNA. TNA is glorified ROH at this point, anymore.

You couldn't be more accurate. NXT has grown too much the past year, ever since they began to make special episodes. Their production is top notch, their storylines simple and effective. And comparing WWE to ANY promotion doesn't even match comparing Euro league to the D-League.

The thing is, if the guy wants to make it happen and see if he can make anything notable in WWE and, of course WWE wants him, then why not try it. If he doesn't he can always have fun wrestling in other, more indie style promotions. There is a very small portion of wrestlers I think, that if WWE wanted them even for NXT first they'd say no.

 

[L@RISANO]

You couldn't be more accurate. NXT has grown too much the past year, ever since they began to make special episodes. Their production is top notch, their storylines simple and effective. And comparing WWE to ANY promotion doesn't even match comparing Euro league to the D-League.

The thing is, if the guy wants to make it happen and see if he can make anything notable in WWE and, of course WWE wants him, then why not try it. If he doesn't he can always have fun wrestling in other, more indie style promotions. There is a very small portion of wrestlers I think, that if WWE wanted them even for NXT first they'd say no.

Pretty much this.


It can be equated for footy fans, to someone playing for Celtic in the Scottish League, who wins titles with them almost every year, plays in UCL, but if a team like QPR in the EPL come calling for them, they more often than not, move to the Prem regardless.


In this case, WWE is like playing for an EPL team challenging to go into Europe, and NXT would be like playing for the other lower teams in the league with the knowledge that if a player impresses, the bigger teams would snap them up.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

If this is true and he is heading to NXT it is great news for Kevin Owens. It means Owens is doing well and he is either being called up with Joe to replace him or Joe is getting paid to give Owens something new to do when the time comes.

Also, if true, it helps me confirm the stance I have taken for the last six months that NXT is as much another WWE brand as it is developmental.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

It's still a step up. If you play baseball in Japan, and a US team picks you up to go to the minors, it's a step up. If the NBA grabs a guy from the Euro league and puts him in the D-League, it's a step up. If an Indy-fed guy or a TNA guy gets a shot at NXT, it's a step up. Going to the WWE is a MASSIVE step up.

I get that you don't watch NXT, but the NXT production is miles above TNA. TNA is glorified ROH at this point, anymore.

I don't want to side-track this too much, but what would you base this on — eyeballs on the product? If so, I think I could understand why you consider it a viable step up.

As an outsider, admittedly, I see it as just a necessary step that most guys probably don't want to do, but do anyway knowing it's the gateway to WWE's main roster that everyone is going through anymore.

 

[laodaron]

I don't want to side-track this too much, but what would you base this on — eyeballs on the product? If so, I think I could understand why you consider it a viable step up.

As an outsider, admittedly, I see it as just a necessary step that most guys probably don't want to do, but do anyway knowing it's the gateway to WWE's main roster that everyone is going through anymore.

You should give it a shot. I loathe most indy fed garbage, but when you see the product, many of the guys in NXT are superior to main event guys in TNA, ROH, or Japan. Honestly, that's because they WERE the Main Event guys around the world before coming to NXT.

I mean, for instance, you have Sami Zayn, Prince DeVitt, KENTA, Kevin Steen, to a lesser extent, Adrianne Neville and Tyler Breeze. They are getting Uhaa Nation apparently, and now Samoa Joe. If Daniel Bryan was coming up in 2015 instead of 4 or wahtever years ago, he would be a main event NXT guy, same with CM Punk. It's really just where the cream of the Indy scene elevates their careers.

 

[OYDK]

Surprising... I thought for sure he was headed to ROH.

I've been a big Joe fan ever since I first tuned into TNA in 2007; He was the first guy that really caught my eye as a credible star (minus guys like Angle and Sting of course). I've always salivated at the idea of A.J. Styles and Samoa Joe coming to WWE, but I never thought it would happen... of course, I would have preferred Joe 3 or 4 years ago but the guy can still go and has an intriguing character and that's what counts. I fear WWE has only brought Joe in to work with the younger NXT guys as they seem to be doing that a lot lately (Rhyno, Kendrick) and that would be a let-down and a waste imo.

I'm with Sally on this one as relates to his chances. I believe Joe will start off strong in NXT, possibly being the one to take the title off of Owens and if he can show that he can get over with the fans and consistently put on good matches, than he will be brought up from NXT quickly... I mean, really there's no time to waste if Joe actually does sign with WWE. I would also think that he would be forced to trim down before he makes his debut as Kevin Owens and even Sting has. I don't see him having a problem with this if he really does want to have a shot in the WWE.

IF this happens, I would be very intrigued to see if they completely overhaul his character. Would they take away Joe from his name? Or will they leave him relatively the same gimmick?

 

[Prince Vee]

I really don't know how they would repackage him into the WWE roster. I like him and I really do enjoy his matches and he can move for a guy of his size. But in what mold he would fit in the WWE. If isn't some heel bodyguard or ruthless monster like Umaga, I don't think they would or they can bring up some good gimmick. I just want him to become another Tensai or Brodus Clay!

Cheers!!

 

[DCLXVI]

I've said it before and I'll say it again... Finn Balor, one of NXT's top new guys is 35 or 36...

anyways...

Good for Joe. NXT is definitely a step up from TNA at this point and if he can shed some weight and get back into some decent shape I see him doing well there. Not sure if he'll get a main roster run out of this, but I imagine Samoa Joe won't take too long to debut after he drops some pounds. If he goes to main roster, I highly doubt he'd be some Umaga-style character or Samoan Submission Machine though... he'd probably be a jolly dancing fat guy.

 

[Dagger Dias]

I'm both excited to see what Samoa Joe in WWE would be like, but at the same time quite concerned for him. I could see him doing well in NXT feuding with pretty much anyone there as long as he's NOT feuding with Bull Dempsey. He wouldn't be the first person that saw success elsewhere who got a nice start to their WWE career over in NXT. It will also be interesting to see what strange new name he gets. Hideo and Balor both come to mind as examples of bizarre name changes. Or maybe it will be a simpler name change like in Kevin Owens' case.

Now, the problem is when he makes it to the main roster. He has two huge obstacles in his way. Not only does he not fit the typical appearance that Vince is notorious for looking for in his "stars".... but he also is a former TNA World Champion. Joe won his first World Championship in a rival wrestling company. Despite how badly WWE destroyed TNA when they tried to start a 2nd Monday Night War, they are still a rival federation at the end of the day and Joe having held their World Championship before joining WWE may cause him to not get as big of a push.

All of this aside, I liked what I saw of him in TNA. I don't watch it anymore although I watched quite often up until 2011-ish then watched casually until a couple of years ago. Therefore seeing Joe in NXT and WWE is something I'll be interested in. I predict he'll have a good NXT run, but am rather concerned about how his main roster run would go if Vince is still making all the final decisions by that point. We'll see what happens.

 

[FightOwensFight]

To Dagger's point about the new name. Has there ever been a former TNA star this big go to WWE (assuming it happens)? Is there a chance he would keep the name, or does TNA own it? I know they change everyone's name, but TNA isn't the Indy's. I would think they would still change it (to "The Samoan" or something), but still interesting.

As far as how he would do, he really does need to get in shape. IDR mentioned Owens, but compared to Joe, Owens is built like Randy Orton. Sure, he is a big guy (and it might be he wears the T-shirt to hide his stomach), but Joe is borderline obese at this point. Either he needs to get in shape, or wrestle in a singlet like Taz. As far as ability, he could certainly bring something to the table, there is no doubt of that.

 

[SoulTrain4]

I'll believe it when is see it.
That said, if it were to take place, NXT is the best place for him. He can really help mold some guys and he can perform pretty good still.

His weight is a huge issue, but I always thought we needed a Vader or Bam Bam Bigelow-style heel in WWE these days and Joe (or even Owens) is perfect for the role.

I think if he does sign, he won't be on NXT long, they will likely move him up quickly in order to get the most out of him.

 

[Seosa]

I'm positive about it. If Haitch is leading the way then I'm confident Joe will be looked after. Who knows, maybe he won't even undergo a name change.

If Vince gets his teeth into him however...

 

[DirtyDickSlater]

If reigns is gonna be the new champ, what better way than have another big tough kick ass Samoan beat the hell out of Reigns the raw after WM n have Rollins cash in? Just the fact alone they r both samoan, they can make a deep personal story and builds up Reigns character and add some depth to it as many feels he still is not ready. Have theUsos turn heel and join him and start a new faction and try to get Reigns to join too. Its plenty of options and Joe vs Reigns feud could be money if built correctly

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I'd like to see Joe do well in WWE and Triple H, again, looks like someone that takes a wrestler's abilities into consideration to a much greater degree than what their body fat ratio is. If Trips was the one making THE final decision on the main roster and Joe did sign with WWE, I'd personally feel a lot better about it. Not tryin' to come off as though I think Trips can do no wrong or screw up or something, but if NXT is a genuine indicator of things, he's someone that just has a much broader and more open mind that's much more in tune with modern wrestling fans.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

The "Samoa" angle would be quite an interesting one, with Joe pissed off that the supposed "family tree" basically painted as the only Samoan success in wrestling. He's had enough of it and he's going to prove that you don't have to be a Maivia, Fatu or Anoa'i to be Samoan and a success. It's actually a smart move if WWE allows him to cost Reigns the title and acknowledge he's one of the most storied and decorated wrestlers out there than trying to cast him as another extended family member...