Update on Samoa Joe’s New Full-Time Contract with WWE

PWInsider.com has provided an update on Samoa Joe’s new full-time contract with WWE that went into effect on May 28. As previously reported, Joe worked either a “dark match” or a bout for WWE “Superstars” prior to the June 1 edition of “Monday Night Raw,” as he is now a full-time member of the WWE locker room.

Joe had previously signed a special contract to appear in WWE’s NXT brand, while still being able to appear in matches for different promotions worldwide. After making his NXT debut during “NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable” on May 20, Joe then taped “NXT” programming, putting him in the ring on the WWE Network in mid-June.

Ring of Honor would use Joe’s recent “NXT” appearance to promote their “Ring of Honor Aftershock” television tapings on June 20, stating that Joe would be competing in the main event of that show alongside of AJ Styles. The two men will be facing Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian at that event.

However, Ring of Honor would go on to announce that Cable network Destination America is picking up “ROH TV,” and will be airing it directly ahead of TNA’s “IMPACT WRESTLING” on Wednesday nights, beginning June 3. This would mean that with Joe working a television taping on June 20, at some point, Joe would be appearing on two different companies’ programming on a Wednesday, both “ROH TV” and “NXT.”

WWE reportedly does not want this to happen, and 24 hours after Ring of Honor and Destination America made their announcement, WWE signed Samoa Joe to a full-time deal. According to PWInsider.com, WWE has a clause in their contract with Joe that would allow them to make his contract a full-time gig if they so wanted it to be, and this is what they enacted on May 28.

WWE not wanting Joe to appear on two different programs was not the only reason that the company signed him to a more exclusive deal, however. Joe’s NXT merchandise sold-out in a manner of minutes once the t-shirt he was wearing during “NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable” hit WWEShop.com. He also reportedly impressed WWE officials with his ring work during the May 21 set of “NXT” tapings.

It is unclear as to whether or not Joe will still be working the Ring of Honor tapings on June 20 or not, but we will update this story as soon as more details are available.

Editor’s Note:

Didn’t take them long to use that clause in Joe’s contract, eh? Smart decision by WWE. Joe is going to do big business for them I believe.