Samoa Joe was rocking and rolling along on the main roster in WWE. He had been embroiled in feuds with Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns, and won numerous championships.
But in early 2020 during a fliming of a commercial, Joe got hurt and was forced to take time away from the ring. During that time, Joe smoothly transitioned over to commentary on WWE Monday Night Raw as an analyst. But then in a shocking turn of events, Joe was among a series of cuts in the middle of April.
He wasn't gone for long as he returned to the company in June, but in an old familiar place, NXT. Joe was designated as the enforcer for NXT General Manager William Regal.
He didn't last long in the role, as he will challenge Karrion Kross for the NXT heavyweight title in the main event of Sunday's NXT Takeover 36 from the Capital Wrestling Center in Orlando.
(Editor's note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.)
DAZN: Is it weird to be back in NXT?
Samoa Joe: It is and then it isn’t. I knew that when I do decide to retire that I would end up back here and helping out the talent of tomorrow. It happened a little quicker than I thought.
DAZN: What is your current role in NXT besides being in the ring every Tuesday night?
SJ: I work in NXT as an talent acquisition to help find the next superstars. That is a major part of my role now and it’s one I very much enjoy. I had done something similar to this role in a couple of other stops that I was in before I came to WWE. Giving talent advice on how to improve is something I really enjoying doing and look forward to doing that here for years to come.
DAZN: A lot of people have been upset at how your program with Karrion Kross has gone because he’s on NXT presented as a wrecking machine and having a great feud with you and then he goes over to Raw and is losing to Jeff Hardy and Keith Lee. What do you make of the situation?
SJ: I can see where people are upset but remember we are telling a story. Kross has struggled a bit when he has gone over Raw. He was having some troubles and has shown some cracks in that armor of his. But when he comes back on NXT, he’s the same guy we have seen on this side of the block. He’s a guy I’ve been chomping at the bit to get in the ring because I see the talent is there and he has everything to be a big-time player.
DAZN: How do you view the NXT now compared to when you were there when you came to WWE?
Samoa Joe: Obviously, it’a going to be different because there’s always going to be changes inside the company. Looking at when I first came in, there were more of the seasoned guys like Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Nakamura.
NXT has never been the same thing during its entire existence. From when I entered NXT to now, it’s been drastically different. The stars from my first go around to even one, two, three years ago to now doing different things isn’t surprising. Things are changing in NXT and it’s just another evolution. And it will change again. And after that, it will change again. I’m failing to see why people are mad about the changes because NXT is doing what it’s always done.
DAZN: You went from being on the Raw commentary team to getting released in April and then returned to the company in June. How would you characterize your 2021?
SJ: I would call it my get healthy and comeback year combined into one. For the first half of 2021, it was just about getting healthy, and getting in shape. Once I resigned with the company in June, then it became about working my way to an in-ring return. Thankfully, that time has come and I’m really looking forward to Sunday.
DAZN: Would we be having this conversation if Triple H wasn’t around?
SJ: Possibly, but extremely unlikely. He is the one I talked to when I was thinking about coming in 2015. He’s been very influential in my WWE career and has really helped navigate the waters for me.
DAZN: What does Triple H mean to you on personal and professional level?
SJ: Man, we can go for hours about this. Personally, he’s meant a lot. When I even start to doubt myself in the slightest bit, I can text or call him and he can help me get back on track. Professionally, it’s the same thing. I go to him for questions at any time. He can be critical to me and I can do the same right back.
DAZN: What it would mean for you to walk out of the Capital Wrestling Center on Sunday at NXT Takeover 36 once again carrying the NXT Heavyweight championship?
SJ: To me, it would mean the comeback is complete. I knew one day I’d get back into the ring, but I just wasn’t sure when that time would come. Of course, there was a little doubt if I’d ever wrestle again because that’s just a natural thought to have in the situation I was in. To be able to carry the NXT flag and march forward into a new era would be something I’d always remember.