Details Surrounding Samoa Joe Possibly Appearing for Both “NXT” and “ROH TV”

Further details surrounding Samoa Joe possibly appearing for both “NXT” and “ROH TV” have been provided in a recent report from F4Wonline.com, home to “Wrestling Observer Radio” with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer. As previously reported, Joe has signed a non-exclusive deal with WWE to work television tapings for “NXT.” However, WWE was likely unaware that Ring of Honor was going to book Joe for television tapings of their own while dotting the “i’s” on the contract of the “Submission Specialist.”

Joe recently debuted for WWE during the WWE Network special “NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable” on May 20. It was then reported that the “Samoan Submission Machine” would be working “NXT” TV, but would be allowed to work independent dates as well.

Ring of Honor then announced that Joe will be teaming up with AJ Styles to face ROH Tag Team Champions Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian during the June 20 “ROH Aftershock” television tapings. Speculation began to run wild about if this match would actually air on “ROH TV,” since WWE has Joe locked into a television deal with “NXT.”

Then the news broke on May 27 that Destination America, Cable network home to TNA’s “IMPACT WRESTLING,” had picked up “ROH TV,” and will begin airing Ring of Honor’s programming immediately before “IMPACT WRESTLING” on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET, starting June 3. This caused a media frenzy, with everyone wanting to know what was going to happen to TNA’s TV deal with Destination America, and of course, will Samoa Joe be appearing on both “NXT” and “ROH TV” in June?

Meltzer claims that there is speculation behind-the-scenes that WWE will be attempting to twart Joe’s “ROH TV” appearances now that Ring of Honor will be airing their programming opposite “NXT” on Destination America. Meltzer claims that WWE may begin instigating the same rule to others such as Brian Kendrick and Rhyno who only appear on “NXT” television, and then work other events for independent promotions.

According to Meltzer, Ring of Honor is likely awaiting confirmation from WWE on whether or not they will be able to use the footage of Samoa Joe they plan to shoot on June 20 for episodes of “ROH TV.” He also speculates that Ring of Honor may already know the answer to that question, and are planning alternate scripts to use if need be.

Editor’s Note:

It would be weird to see Joe pulling a Rick Rude on “NXT” and “ROH TV.”