Samoa Joe on Why He's Targeting Kevin Owens

NXT newcomer and former TNA World Champion, Samoa Joe, was recently interviewed by WWE.com. The Submission Specialist discussed why he’s set his sights on NXT Champion Kevin Owens, other NXT stars he’d like to compete against, as well some of the biggest names in the company he’s wrestled in the past:

WWE.COM: You went right after Kevin Owens, who you’ve crossed paths with before WWE. Why?

JOE: “One thing I’ve learned is that when you walk into a new yard, you find the top dog and smash him in the face, and let him know you’re there. Kevin Owens is the top dog in the yard. I’m going to stay in his face and stay after him until I get what I want. I want to be the NXT Champion.”

WWE.COM: Is there anyone else in NXT you have your eye on?

JOE: “Absolutely. Finn Bálor is someone I’ve had experience with. I helped start the New Japan Dojo in Los Angeles. I remember seeing him and what he was able to do. And now, he’s No. 1 contender, so if it’s not going to be Kevin, it’s going to be [Bálor].

Tyler Breeze is a tremendous athlete, but he’s far too pretty. It bugs me. Eventually, when he comes back, Hideo Itami, too. We’ve locked up over the years and had our fair share of wars. I’m more than happy to have another with him. There are a lot of unresolved personal issues there. Hopefully, we can get into the ring and sort them out.”

WWE.COM: You mentioned competing with Daniel Bryan. Having faced him on many occasions, what was it like being in the ring with Bryan in his pre-WWE days?

JOE: “I’ve had the opportunity to wrestle Daniel Bryan through several phases of his career, except for his time in WWE. What I remember is that he was great the first time I wrestled him, and he kept getting better every match afterward. He would push me because he would improve so much. The first time I wrestled him, he had just come from Shawn Michaels’ school and was tremendously gifted. The next time, was after he wrestled in New Japan and absorbed so much over there. He was even better. After he had a stint in England, wrestling day-in and day-out at the Butlins camps, he picked up the nuances in their style and brought it back, and was even better.

You never face the same Daniel Bryan, but you’re going to face a better Daniel Bryan. If you don’t keep up with that, he’ll eat you alive. He’s another guy like John; he really does the work. I knew that, given the right opportunity, Bryan would knock it out of the park and he has. I really hope that he heals up, because I’d love to get in there with him.”

WWE.COM: You’ve mixed it up with Seth Rollins as well. What was your experience with him?

JOE: “Actually, my first exposure to Seth was at a wrestling clinic I ran in the Midwest. He was only a few months in, but after the clinic, I remember looking at him and thinking, “You’re going to be something.” Later on, I wrestled him [one-on-one] and was impressed.

When I found out he was signed by WWE, it wasn’t a surprise. He’s a handsome kid, amazing athlete and came up with the mindset that he was willing to do whatever it takes to achieve what he wants. It’s funny how many people that I’ve come across in my time that have gone on to achieve great success. It’s good to see that he made my prophecy true.”

To read the interview in its entirety, click here.

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