Backstage Update on Samoa Joe’s Deal With WWE

It was at “NXT Takeover: Unstoppable” on May 20 when former TNA World Champion Samoa Joe shocked the world and debuted for the brand.

Following an attack by Kevin Owens on Sami Zayn, Joe made his way down to the ring and confronted the NXT Champion before the show went off the air.

Rumors had been circulating for months over the possibility of the “Samoan Submission Machine” making his way to WWE developmental.

Joe is expected to work the NXT TV tapings on May 21 at Full Sail University.

According to a report by PWInsider.com, Joe’s deal with the company will allow him to work existing and future independent dates, including the JT Lightning Memorial Tournament in Cleveland this weekend.

WWE has never gone this route before, as they’ve signed superstars to exclusive deals where working any non-WWE shows is strictly forbidden.

Joe will be the guinea pig for that type of contract to see if it’s something WWE can work with in the future. It says a lot about his reputation for the company to even consider it.

The deal will also involve merchandise, as Joe’s “Submission Specialist” authentic t-shirt is already up and selling like wildfire on WWE.com.

Editor’s Note

It’s so surreal talking about Joe with WWE. He was one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling not under WWE’s umbrella. Joe vs. Owens? Joe vs. Balor? Maybe even Joe vs. Lesnar one day, if we’re lucky.

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