Samoa Joe and TNA Part Ways

[It's Damn Real!]

@SamoaJoe: I have decided to part ways with @ImpactWrestling. My very best to them moving forward, and my eternal thanks to the fans.

@JohnGaburick: On expiration of @SamoaJoe contract, TNA and Joe have agreed to part ways. Joe will always be a member of our family & we wish him the best.

--

These are tweets from both Joe's official account, and from John Gaburick's account, which has routinely posted information on the status of performers' contracts with the company.

Whether or not this was actually over a contract expiration or not, I have no idea, but it's a significant moment both in TNA history (Joe being, in every sense, a "TNA guy", and one of the faces of the brand for more than a decade) as well as to the story being told on television right now, despite the amount of taped footage IMPACT has yet to air, because not to spoil anything (and a friendly reminder, they're not welcome here, so don't post them), but there's nothing in the cards to write him out via injury or otherwise.

Remember, folks, this is still a No-SPAM thread. Take your one-liner comments to the SPAM-friendly sections, or to the Impact Support Club House

 

[Lowdown]

http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/553427-breaking-news-top-tna-star-parts-ways-with-the-company

Not much else has been mentioned, but this is a shock to me. Considering he was in the middle of the major storyline, what ultimately led to this decision? Was it amicable? Joe was a mainstay with TNA, and I feel this is a huge blow.

Thoughts?

 

[klunderbunker]

There's nothing left for him to do in TNA and he's just going to be a lackey for some big time heel at this point. He hasn't been a serious contender to the World Title since 2008, save for a few one off chances. When you see Sting, Angle and AJ winning four or five titles each and Joe is stuck spinning his wheels in the X-Division and Tag Team division, there's no reason to stick around. Go back to ROH where you can test yourself against the new crop in a perfectly made storyline or hit the indies etc. TNA is nowhere near the level it was just six months ago and ROH might seem more lucrative right now.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

There's nothing left for him to do in TNA and he's just going to be a lackey for some big time heel at this point. He hasn't been a serious contender to the World Title since 2008, save for a few one off chances. When you see Sting, Angle and AJ winning four or five titles each and Joe is stuck spinning his wheels in the X-Division and Tag Team division, there's no reason to stick around. Go back to ROH where you can test yourself against the new crop in a perfectly made storyline or hit the indies etc. TNA is nowhere near the level it was just six months ago and ROH might seem more lucrative right now.

Oh, I have no disagreement there. I'm not even worried about the company carrying on without him, or not "feeling" or "looking" the same without him. They haven't really needed him for probably three years now. If he left two or three years ago, nothing would have changed. Nothing would have been all that different. Like you said, there's nothing left for him to do. He probably should have left a few years ago, but chose to stay for whatever the reason.

The thing that sucks about this is the timing, where it's almost certainly going to interrupt (negatively) an ongoing story line he's a part of. Now, granted, he's not the focal point of it, which is good, but it's still going to be weird when the BDC come out without Joe for the next set of tapings and have to awkwardly speak to why he's not there... or worse... say nothing at all about it.

 

[The Dragon Saga]

When Samoa Joe initially debuted in TNA he was so incredibly fresh and awesome to those who had never seen him before that he became an instant star on TNA programming. Somewhere along the way, and I think I can pinpoint where, when the ninjas or whatever they were abducted him, Joe lost "It" and has never truly, properly regained "It". It might not be TNA's fault, it could be that Joe lost his passion, but a lot of guys have found new passion outside of TNA and that is what Joe I think will do here and we all know where he'll be going too.

This is his chance to go back to somewhere he has history, where he is considered a legend and face a roster full of people hes either not wrestled before or not wrestled in a long time. Even a match between Joe and AJ Styles in ROH would be new because AJ Styles' persona is so different now then when they last faced. Or Joe vs. Jay Lethal being another good example. Joe could do some Japan dates if he wanted, he can return to indies like PWG where he left a history too. This could be whats best for Samoa Joe. Time to reinvent himself like AJ Styles did.

He's not a massive loss to TNA I feel, but he could be a massive gain to someone else.

 

[ABMorales787]

I feel when he was TV Champion a couple years ago, it was the perfect role for him to help put newer guys over. But alas. The man was awesome at his best, but sadly at many times we saw him just not care for one reason or another.

 

[Lowdown]

Damn, beat me on the thread, IDR. Mine needs to be closed. Anyway, this is a major loss for TNA. Joe was a fan favorite, and truly one of their all time best stars. I don't understand why he wouldn't re-sign. Couple this with the fact that he was a part of the major storyline going on right now. I'm really bummed about this.

 

[subsouljah82]

if wwe was smart they would book a nxt multiman match at wrestlemania and use joe as a surprise entrant or if they turn reigns heel putting joe with him would work well too either way the timeing is to good for wwe not to be able to do something with him

 

[SoulTrain4]

If I were Joe I'd be on the phone with NJPW immediately.
WWE doesn't want him, ROH doesn't deserve him and while Lucha Underground is an option he can do better in Japan.

He really should have left TNA 5 years ago when they made him Taz Jr.

 

[stingray11214]

Samoa Joe leaving TNA is probably a blessing for both: TNA no longer has to pay him major cog money to be a spare part, and he could make a killing in the Indies where he will be welcomed and appreciated. If Joe goes the Indy route, he could make a killing. As it has been said before, it is a very interesting time to be in the Indies. If Joe can do what the Young Bucks did and market himself strategically, he would not need ROH or the WWE to make a good living. The days of the stars going to a show for a "hot dog and a handshake" are pretty much over.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

I feel when he was TV Champion a couple years ago, it was the perfect role for him to help put newer guys over. But alas. The man was awesome at his best, but sadly at many times we saw him just not care for one reason or another.

Agreed. I thought that Joe would be brilliant with the TV title but it wasn't be be for whatever reason.

I'm surprised it's taken this long for Joe to leave TNA (has he really been there 10 years?!) as we've heard before how unhappy he has been on occasion with his role in the company. He was a beast when he first debuted, and the matches with Kurt Angle, Christopher Daniels and AJ Styles are all-time classics....but he's drifted for so long without really doing much or standing out. It's like he's spent years just not being interested or trying, getting into terrible shape on occasion.

I'd love to see Joe in WWE as matches with Daniel Bryan and Seth Rollins would be brilliant but as he is already in his mid 30's, I don't think WWE will be interested- even not for NXT. Joe will likely go back to ROH where he'll get treated like returning royalty, or head over to Japan where his stiff style will be really appreciated too.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

When Samoa Joe initially debuted in TNA he was so incredibly fresh and awesome to those who had never seen him before that he became an instant star on TNA programming. Somewhere along the way, and I think I can pinpoint where, when the ninjas or whatever they were abducted him, Joe lost "It" and has never truly, properly regained "It". It might not be TNA's fault, it could be that Joe lost his passion, but a lot of guys have found new passion outside of TNA and that is what Joe I think will do here and we all know where he'll be going too.

This is his chance to go back to somewhere he has history, where he is considered a legend and face a roster full of people hes either not wrestled before or not wrestled in a long time. Even a match between Joe and AJ Styles in ROH would be new because AJ Styles' persona is so different now then when they last faced. Or Joe vs. Jay Lethal being another good example. Joe could do some Japan dates if he wanted, he can return to indies like PWG where he left a history too. This could be whats best for Samoa Joe. Time to reinvent himself like AJ Styles did.

He's not a massive loss to TNA I feel, but he could be a massive gain to someone else.

There's an amazing fat joke in here that I'm gritting my teeth to exploit.

Agreed. I thought that Joe would be brilliant with the TV title but it wasn't be be for whatever reason.

I'm surprised it's taken this long for Joe to leave TNA (has he really been there 10 years?!) as we've heard before how unhappy he has been on occasion with his role in the company. He was a beast when he first debuted, and the matches with Kurt Angle, Christopher Daniels and AJ Styles are all-time classics....but he's drifted for so long without really doing much or standing out. It's like he's spent years just not being interested or trying, getting into terrible shape on occasion.

I'd love to see Joe in WWE as matches with Daniel Bryan and Seth Rollins would be brilliant but as he is already in his mid 30's, I don't think WWE will bee interested- even not for NXT. Joe will likely go back to ROH where he'll get treated like returning royalty, or head over to Japan where his stiff style will be really appreciated too.

Joe, from what I've always read, was never not happy with TNA, the company, rather dissatisfied wiht his particular use within the company, which remember, has gone through numerous, sweeping creative changes pretty much every two years for the last decade he's been there.

Everything I'm reading this morning says the split was amicable, and that the door is absolutely left open to him returning to TNA in the future, which may actually be a blessing in disguise here, as time away from the company might be everything he needs to "freshen" up his character.

Imagine a scenario where a year or two from now, after they've basically been forgotten, Joe, and maybe even Styles both return? Imagine the pop they get. Imagine the impact that'd have on a potential story line (all pun intended). The pillars come home to take back the company they built? The story writes itself.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

Everything I'm reading this morning says the split was amicable, and that the door is absolutely left open to him returning to TNA in the future, which may actually be a blessing in disguise here, as time away from the company might be everything he needs to "freshen" up his character.

Imagine a scenario where a year or two from now, after they've basically been forgotten, Joe, and maybe even Styles both return? Imagine the pop they get. Imagine the impact that'd have on a potential story line (all pun intended). The pillars come home to take back the company they built? The story writes itself.

I'd definitely be interested in seeing that, like you say "the storyline writes itself". I think it's pretty likely we'll see AJ Styles back in TNA at some point in the future, and if they brought Joe back in at the same time then that would be even better! It's good that they seem to have parted on amicable terms, rather than Joe bashing the company on Twitter like we've seen others do in the past when leaving a company. I think because of this it's pretty likely that Joe could make a return in the coming years.

 

[stingray11214]

I'd definitely be interested in seeing that, like you say "the storyline writes itself". I think it's pretty likely we'll see AJ Styles back in TNA at some point in the future, and if they brought Joe back in at the same time then that would be even better! It's good that they seem to have parted on amicable terms, rather than Joe bashing the company on Twitter like we've seen others do in the past when leaving a company. I think because of this it's pretty likely that Joe could make a return in the coming years.

I doubt you will ever see Joe or Styles in a TNA ring as full-timers ever again. TNA is trying to go with younger talent, and those two fly in the face of that. The only way that they would sign either of them are, 1)They have to open the checkbook, and 2) have a demand of exclusivity. This is where I think Joe and TNA parted ways. Gaburick wanted exclusivity, and Joe was not about to cut his own throat for it.

Now, Styles is making a killing booking himself in the Indies, and doing his thing in a stronger company like New Japan. While I do not know if New Japan is interested in Joe, he can make a fortune booking himself. Can you picture Fallah Bahh vs. Joe in PWS? Or rampaging with the Juggalos, or even Lucha Underground? Joe really does not need a major company to make a living anymore.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I'd definitely be interested in seeing that, like you say "the storyline writes itself". I think it's pretty likely we'll see AJ Styles back in TNA at some point in the future, and if they brought Joe back in at the same time then that would be even better! It's good that they seem to have parted on amicable terms, rather than Joe bashing the company on Twitter like we've seen others do in the past when leaving a company. I think because of this it's pretty likely that Joe could make a return in the coming years.

Agreed.

I doubt you will ever see Joe or Styles in a TNA ring as full-timers ever again. TNA is trying to go with younger talent, and those two fly in the face of that. The only way that they would sign either of them are, 1)They have to open the checkbook, and 2) have a demand of exclusivity. This is where I think Joe and TNA parted ways. Gaburick wanted exclusivity, and Joe was not about to cut his own throat for it.

Now, Styles is making a killing booking himself in the Indies, and doing his thing in a stronger company like New Japan. While I do not know if New Japan is interested in Joe, he can make a fortune booking himself. Can you picture Fallah Bahh vs. Joe in PWS? Or rampaging with the Juggalos, or even Lucha Underground? Joe really does not need a major company to make a living anymore.

They don't have to be full-timers. They're both pillars of what the company was built on, so provided the relationship isn't utterly sour (and we know it isn't with Joe... AJ less so), the proverbial door is always open to a return down the line should both sides find it appealing. The money both or either would command is something they'd have to work out on their end. We have no understanding of exactly what kind of budget TNA is operating on. We just know it's smaller than it was in the past. That doesn't eliminate the concept of having guys like Joe or Styles, or other well-known commodities work with the company. If it did, and were it as dire as a lot of folks try to make it out to be, explain how Jeff Hardy was re-signed. Explain how MVP is still there. Explain how Lashley is still there. Explain how the Wolves stuck. Explain how they were able to re-sign basically half the roster in a matter of a few weeks prior to the relaunch? If the money is so tight, and they can't afford to pay anyone of note, how is it they were able to essentially maintain the entirety of their roster?

The rest of your post is pure conjecture. We have no idea whatsoever what exactly caused the rift. From everything I've read, including WZ's story on it, it was simply over money, where TNA made him a final offer less than he'd previously been making and he turned it down amicably.

 

[The Dragon Saga]

Now, Styles is making a killing booking himself in the Indies, and doing his thing in a stronger company like New Japan. While I do not know if New Japan is interested in Joe, he can make a fortune booking himself. Can you picture Fallah Bahh vs. Joe in PWS? Or rampaging with the Juggalos, or even Lucha Underground? Joe really does not need a major company to make a living anymore.

AJ Styles said in an interview with FSM in November that the biggest help he got after leaving TNA was ROH booking him for the Nashville TV taping because thats what keeps him relevant in the US. He enjoys doing the indies but realistically how many people are going to buy those indies shows, unless they're like House of Hardcore or whoever. He needs to be on TV and PPV, which ROH provides, his New Japan schedules makes up the bulk of his earnings but if he doesn't stay relevant in the States then his price will go down overtime.

Joe will have to do the same thing. As a fan of ROH, it's the great thing about them, they have a very good, strong advantage for talent where they can remain relevant on TV and PPV, work 50+ dates a year if they want to and still be able to work the indies or do some work in Japan because if you're good enough ROH will work around you. Joe's a legend in ROH's history and right now that's the odds on favorite for where he'll return to, might be March 1st at the 13th Anniversary, could be later, but it's most likely where he is going.

 

[TDFG]

I wouldn't rule anything out, Angle is maybe going to last one or two more years, he's got to be on one of the biggest deals in TNA.

If he was to leave TNA in the next year or two they would probably want to sign someone with that bit of appeal to replace him, Styles would surely come into thought.

Back to the topic and Samoa Joe, I really enjoyed watching Joe's matches, but over the last year or so he just looked as the flame wasn't there, there was no real spark, I know he was annoyed when HH and Easy E took over but maybe a long break from TNA might be best.

 

[Dave]

I don't mean this in a disrespectful manner towards TNA or Joe but it is about time that this happened. I don't keep up with TNA outside of reading the results on the main page but I do feel as though he was underused and not utilised fully in TNA. With ties being severed now, it might be nice to see Joe try something new, perhaps even moving to the WWE for a cracker at the big time. Stone Cold is right, he would be a decent pick up for the WWE.