Samoa Joe

At 45 years old, Samoa Joe has this physical status:

Nuufolau Joseph Seanoa (born March 17, 1979) is an American professional wrestler best known by the ring name Samoa Joe.

He is currently signed to WWE, where he appears on the Raw brand.

He is currently inactive in the rings due to an injury, but he now works as a color commentator.

Joe was known for his time with promotions, including Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and Ring of Honor (ROH).

He has been active in ROH from the start of the program in 2002, winning the ROH World Championship for a record 21 months from March 2003 to December 2004.

He began TNA's 19-month streak, appeared in the TNA World Heavyweight Championship five times, the TNA World Tag Team Championship five times, and the TNA Television Championship twice, as well as the TNA World Championship and the TNA Grand Slam; completing the TNA Triple Crown and the TNA Grand Slam.

Magnus also competed internationally and on the independent circuit for various sports, winning numerous titles, including Pro Wrestling Noah, and Pro Wrestling Zero1.

In February 2015, he left TNA and the independent circuit for a brief period of time. Joe officially began playing in WWE's growing territory NXT in May 2015 and signed a full-time deal with the company in June; he went on to become the first ever two-time NXT champion and co-winner of the inaugural Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic (with Finn Bálor).

Since joining the main roster in January 2017, he covered several pay-per-view shows and appeared at both the Universal and WWE Championships.

Joe claimed his first title on the main roster, the United States Championship, in March 2019.

Early life

Seanoa was born on March 17, 1979, and grew in Orange County, California. He remained in Huntington Beach, Hawaii, for the most part, and he spent time during his childhood in Ewa Beach, Hawaii.' Tiare Productions, his uncle, established a Polynesian dance troupe in the United States. Seanoa made his stage debut at the 1984 Summer Olympics opening at the age of five. When attending Ocean View High School, he became a California State Judo Champion and was an all-league football player. Seanoa served as a mortgage broker before becoming a wrestler.

Personal life

Seanoa married on July 27, 2007. CM Punk, Homicide, Christopher Daniels, AJ Styles, and Rob Van Dam are all close friends of wrestlers CM Punk, Homicide, Christopher Daniels, AJ Styles, and Rob Van Dam. He has appeared on Van Dam's Internet-based reality television show RVD TV several times.

At LA Boxing in Costa Mesa, California, Seanoa regularly trains in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, and Muay Thai. He was often described as a sparring buddy for Team Punishment's Justin McCully, and he was often present in the locker room for Team Punishment fighters like Tito Ortiz and Kendall Grove, with whom he maintains friendships.

Seanoa made brief appearances on the American version of Distraction, where wrestlers fight competitors in the round where wrestlers perform moves on contestants as they answer questions.

We Want Insanity launched Samoa Joe's Twitch video game streaming channel on April 1, 2014.

Source

Professional wrestling career

Joe was the first graduate of the University of the West Coast Dojo, undergoing under Cincinnati Red, as well as Johnny Hemp and occasionally John Delayo. He made his debut in December 1999 in a match against "Uncle" Jess Hansen just three months after starting training.

Joe quickly signed with former WWF developmental affiliate Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW), where he rivalred with John Cena and made an appearance against Essa Rios. On December 12, 2000, he tagged with Mike Knox at UPW Proving Ground in Santa Ana, California, defeating debuting Al Katrazz with Basil. He also won the UPW Heavyweight Championship. He went on to become the longest reigning UPW Heavyweight Champion ever. When Joe was in UPW, he met Bruce Prichard and Jim Ross, who told him that he would not have a future in pro wrestling.

Joe went to Japan in June 2001, competing for Shinya Hashimoto's Pro Wrestling Zero-One promotion, fighting in its Shingeki series of pay-per-views, as well as the annual Burning Heart tournaments.

Joe remained in attendance at many of the company's biggest shows and tournaments throughout 2002. They were the inaugural NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Champions after establishing a team with Keiji Sakoda, but the team is no longer recognized by the organization. He started off as both Samoa Joe and later King Joe, but he resigned after being asked to take on a more gimmicky appearance.

Joe joined the ranks of the East Coast-based Ring of Honor (ROH) in 2002 and returned to the United States. As Christopher Daniels' "hired assassin" he appeared on "Glory by Honor," he was able to kill Daniels' greatest adversary, Low Ki. Joe was originally scheduled for just one match against Low Ki, but the fans were taken aback by his physically tough and hard-hitting style that mimics a mixed martial arts fighter more than a wrestler, prompting ROH to schedule him full time.

Joe quickly rose through the ranks and became ROH Champion, defeating Xavier for the belt, which then became the ROH World Championship, which became the ROH World Championship in London, England, after defeating The Zebra Kid at "Frontiers of Honor" earlier this year. He dominated the game for twenty-one months before losing it to Austin Aries at "Final Battle 2004" on December 26, 2004. During this period, he had three consecutive defenses against CM Punk, the second match to earn a 5 star rating from Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the first American match in seven years to do so). Joe became the ROH World Championships' fifth Pure Champion, defeating his on-screen rival Jay Lethal for the belt at "Manhattan Mayhem" in New York City on May 7, 2005. He defended the title for more than three months before losing it to Nigel McGuinness on August 27 at "Dragon Gate Invasion" in Nigel McGuinness.

In October 2005, when Japanese heavyweight superstar Kenta Kobashi arrived in the United States on a "once-in-a-lifetime" trip, he was signed to two Ring of Honor shows. On the first night and a tag match on the second, ROH officials selected Joe to face him in a singles match and a tag match. In a back-and-forth match in which Dave Meltzer once again gave a five-star rating, Joe proved to be a tough opponent for Kobashi. The match went on to win the Wrestling Observer Newsletter award for "Match of the Year" judging. Joe was one of Ring of Honor's key wrestlers in 2006 against Philadelphia's Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW). At "Death" in Cage of Death combat, the war came to an end. Joe was a slugger in the match until being targeted by fellow ROH wrestler Bryan Danielson for one of his finishes, the Muscle Buster. Danielson was forced to leave the game after repeatedly hitting his injured knee with a steel chair. Joe was later removed in the match by Homicide, who went on to win the ROH match. Joe later joined Homicide to battle the Briscoes, and the ROH world championship hunt has returned to him. Joe fell short of champion Bryan Danielson in several matches, including a match that ended in a 60-minute Draw and the final one being a cage match on December 8. Joe ruled out the Pro Wrestling Noah promotion at the December 9 show, saying, "Ring of Honor is right here." This was not his first encounter with NOAH; at the ROH show on September 16, 2006, Joe leapt into an argument and pulled-apart brawl with Noah actor Takeshi Morishima. Joe was able to play Morishima against Morishima in February, which Joe won.

On March 4, 2007, Joe became ROH's first full-time entertainer. All shows leading up to that date were branded "Samoa Joe Farewell Tour." In his last ROH match, he defeated Homicide from the second rope on March 4. Joe made a one-night return to Rising Above on November 22, 2008, defeating Tyler Black in a non-pay-per-view main event.

Joe appeared on several television shows from 2003 to 2007, most notably for Southern California's Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), making his debut on November 15, 2003, when he defeated CM Punk in a singles match. Joe had a tense on-screen rivalry with Super Dragon during his time in the promotion and lost unsuccessfully against Dragon for his PWG Championship on February 12, 2005. Joe beat Dragon in a grudge match on August 19, 2005, after he had lost the crown. Joe had a second shot at the PWG Championship the following November, but Kevin Steen defeated him this time. When Joe defeated Low Ki in a singles match on April 8, 2007, he made his to-date PWG appearance on April 8, 2007.

Joe appeared on several occasions for the Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South (IWA-MS), where he most recently made it to the finals of the 2004 Ted Petty Invitational and later that year, he also won the Revolution Strong Style Tournament for the second time.

Joe made his debut with the Puerto Rican International Wrestling Association (IWA) at Noche de Campeones, where he defeated El Chicano in the IWA World Undisputed Heavyweight Championship.

Joe made his debut at Championship Wrestling From Hollywood on November 3, 2013, defeating Willie Mack. In the Main Event, Joe defeated Mack on November 3, who was defeated by him on November 3rd. Joe appeared at the JAPW 18th Anniversary Exhibition on November 15, 2014, where he defeated Chris Hero. Joe has competed in Europe for positions such as German Stampede Wrestling (GSW), International Pro Wrestling (UK) and Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw).

Joe signed a deal with Total Nonstop Wrestling on June 14, 2005 (TNA). He made his official debut five days later at the Slammiversary pay-per-view, defeating Sonjay Dutt in a match that saw him dubbed "The Samoan Submission Machine" by announcer Mike Tenay. Joe competed in the Christopher Daniels Invitational Super X Cup, defeating Sonjay Dutt and Alex Shelley to advance to the tournament finals at Sacrifice. By defeating A.J., Joe won the tournament. Styles can be found in a variety of countries, but Daniels can only help. Daniels' interference, however, TNA President Larry Zbyszko made Daniels defend his X Division Championship in a three-way match against both Joe and Styles at Unbreakable, as a result of Daniels' interference. Styles took the match, but Joe's first championship shot in the company came this weekend, but Styles won the match. Joe's undefeated streak was still intact, but not Joe, as it was Daniels who had been pinched, not Joe. This match is to date the only match in TNA's history to receive a five-star rating from Dave Meltzer.

On November 13, he teamed with Daniels, Alex Shelley, and Roderick Strong (a group that Daniels refer to as "The Ministry") against Sonjay Dutt, Chris Sabin, Matt Bentley, and Austin Aries in an eight-man elimination match. Following Daniels' victory (Shelley and Strong were forced to leave the game early in the match), Joe abused Daniels, kicking him around the ringside area until he had busted him open. Daniels was then tossed into the Ring and given a Muscle Buster. Joe went out to grab a steel chair from ringside and inserted it into the ring, giving Daniels his second Muscle Buster, this time into the chair, presumably giving Daniels his second Muscle Buster and presumably giving Daniels a level-three concussion. Styles called Joe out on an episode of Impact!, claiming that his attack of Daniels broke an unwritten code of respect in the X Division. Before Turning Point, Joe said he did not respect the X Division code, a major departure from his Ring of Honor persona, who is a stalwart defender of their written Code of Honor). Joe won the X Division Championship at Turning Point over Styles. Joe was unable to hurt Styles, but Daniels came out and stopped him. Daniels was later scheduled to face Joe at the Final Resolution in 2006 for the X Division Championships. Joe declared in the lead-up to the game that he intended to end Daniels' career. Styles emerged from the ring to cheer for Daniels during the match. Joe stopped going for the pin and instead dropped knee on Daniels' head, not long after making Daniels bleed from his head. Styles, who are worried about Daniels' wellbeing, have called for the game to be called off by tossing in the towel, allowing Joe to keep the X Division championship. Joe won the rematch of the three-way at Unbreakable, thus retaining his title. This three-way feud lasted until Destination X, when he lost the title to Daniels in an Ultimate X match, a match in which there is no pinfall or submission, preserving his undefeated streak.

Joe was then drafted out of the X Division and was scheduled to face Sabu at Lockdown. Despite this, he had a X Division championship match against him, and Impact on April 13 was a highlight. (TNA's debut on Thursday) Joe regained the X Division title after giving an Island Driver from the middle turnbuckle to Christopher Daniels. Joe then defended his X Division title against Sabu at Lockdown. Joe and Sting were partnered in a tag team match against Jeff Jartt and Scott Steiner at Sacrifice. Joe and Sting were victorious, but Joe left the field and allowed Sting to be struck after the match. Joe explained that he told Sting's back "from bell to bell") because he knew that his duties were over until the second bell was rung, but that he had trouble with Steiner. At Slammiversary, Joe introduced Scott Steiner to his undefeated streak.

During the Impact!

Joe was hurt after a kick, and it was announced that he tore every knee ligament except the anterior cruciate ligament. He sustained a first degree tear to the medial collateral ligament and a second degree fracture to the medial collateral ligament. Joe will be out of action for two weeks. Joe lost his X Division Championship in a triple threat match against Sonjay Dutt and Senshi after returning from Japan. Senshi pinned Dutt to win the championship after Steiner sacked Joe with a steel chair. Joe will have his chance of revenge after playing in a four-way no. one contender match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship with Sting, Christian Cage, and Scott Steiner at Victory Road on July 16. When Sting pinned Steiner, Joe lost this match.

In a "Fan's Revenge Lumberjack match," Joe defeated Jeff Jarrender at No Surrender. Jartt's NWA World Heavyweight Championship with him after the match, telling Jim Cornette that if Jartt or Sting (Jarrett's designated opponent at Bound for Glory) wanted the belt, they could take it from him. Joe agreed to return the belt to the Jart-Sting champion under one condition, but the winner had to promise to give him a championship shot on the October 12 episode. This bid was turned down, and Joe was finally given the option of either re-granting the title or firing. Kurt Angle made his debut and became a brawl with Joe after he refused to give back the belt, and Jartt took the belt back during the brawl. In a Monster's Ball match at Bound for Glory on October 22, Joe defeated Raven, Brother Runt, and Abyss. Special referee Jake Roberts performed a DDT to Raven, allowing Joe to hand over the Muscle Buster to Raven for the pinfall. Joe was involved in a pull-apart brawl with Kurt Angle after Jim Cornette said he would be fired if he interfered in the main event match involving Angle as the special enforcer. Joe lost to Angle after submitting to Angle's ankle lock at Genesis. This brought an eighteen-month streak to an end.

Joe continued to compete with Angle in their rematch at Turning Point until suffering a legitimate knee injury in a tag team match. Joe was disqualified by Angle in a thirty-minute Iron Man match on January 14, 2007, but was prevented from returning another fall by the time the game was over.

Joe won a gauntlet match on February 14 to become the top contender for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at Destination X, but lost the match. On the July 12 episode of Impact!, he qualified to compete in the Match of Champions at Victory Road by defeating Jay Lethal and Chris Sabin for the X Division title. Joe earned the TNA World Tag Team Championship from Team 3D, making him the first wrestler in TNA to win multiple TNA championships. He chose to keep the throne by himself. Joe competed in the X Division and both Tag Team championships against Kurt Angle's TNA World title, as well as the IGF's version of the IWGP World Championship at Hard Justice. Joe, on the other hand, lost all his titles as a result of Karen Angle's intrusion.

Joe then became the teammate of Kevin Nash and Scott Hall in their match against the Angle Alliance at Turning Point. The hall, on the other hand, was not on time for the celebration. Joe was asked to reduce a promo alleviating heat from the organization and replacing Eric Young as Hall's replacement ahead of the game. Joe went five minutes overtime and ranted against Hall, Nash, and some other stars, which notably shocked Nash and TNA President Dixie Carter at ringside. When Joe pinned Tomko, Joe, Nash, and Young defeated the Angle Alliance. Joe and Nash briefly debated and led one further backstage, with Joe apologizing at a talent meeting the next day. Joe, on-screen, poured his rage towards TNA leadership, even going so far as to trash a Christmas party planned by Matt Morgan. Cornette, who had told Jim Cornette that he didn't have a match at Final Resolution, decided to team Joe with Kevin Nash, who would have a championship shot with Scott Hall when he returned, to face him. Joe and Nash lost to A.J.'s team at Final Resolution. After Nash refused to identify himself in the game, Joe and Joe would fend for himself.

Joe appeared as the special enforcer for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship match, where Kurt Angle defended his title against challenger Christian Cage. A.J. dominated the contest during the tournament. Styles interferred and Joe fought Styles to the back, but Tomko came out and took the title from Angles. Joe formed an alliance with Cage and Kevin Nash to compete in the Kurt Angle's Angle Alliance on February 14th. Joe was also up against Angle in the TNA World Heavyweight Championships. Joe took his first TNA World Championship and became TNA's third Triple Crown Champion at Lockdown. If Joe had lost, he would have had to withdraw from professional wrestling, according to the stipulation of the match. Joe was then introduced by Booker T at Victory Road, which he accepted. When Sting hit Joe with a baseball bat and Booker pinned him, the game came to a No Contest at Victory Road, while Sharmell made the three count. Joe defeated Booker on a guitar shot, reclaiming physical possession of the title belt, which Booker had kept since Victory Road. He defeated Sting in a losing effort to defend the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, his reign came to an end at 182 days.

Joe and AJ Styles formed "The Frontline" on October 30, alongside Jay Lethal, Consequences Creed, Eric Young, ODB, and The Motor City Machine Guns, to protest The Main Event Mafia, Booker T and Scott Steiner. Following a weak blow, a low blow, and after ramming Joe's head to an unveiled turnbuckle, Nash defeated him by pinning him with his feet on the wires at Turning Point. In a 4-on-4 tag match, The Front Line lost to The Main Event Mafia, and Styles failed to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship at Final Resolution. Joe and Styles defeated Sting and Nash in a Six Sides of Steel match on December 18 in an Impact! Joe was stabbed by the members of the Main Event Mafia and sustained injuries that would keep him sidelined for the remainder of the year.

Joe, sporting a new buzzcut hairstyle, tribal facepaint, and much larger frame, said he would like to bring the Main Event Mafia to both the "tru" Joe and his "nation of violence" on the January 29 episode of Impact! Joe was disqualified in his return match against his old foe and Main Event Mafia coworker Scott Steiner at Destination X. Joe was disqualified once more this week in a match against Sheik Abdul Bashir in the same week as Impact!

He appeared in a 20-man Six Sides of Steel match, where the last two men standings would determine the captains of the Lethal Lockdown match at Lockdown. He advanced to the match and defeated pinning rival Kurt Angle via the Muscle Buster. He later stated on that he did not want to be captain but that he would nevertheless be a member of the team. Jeff Jartt, A.J., was his coworker. Daniels, styles, and the returning Daniels. They met The Main Event Mafia at Lockdown and took the game. He also revealed that he was receiving orders from a "mysterious advisor" who was seen many times backstage, but that information was not revealed. He then feuded with Kevin Nash as his next victim of the Mafia, and then defeated his old mentor at Sacrifice.

Joe helped Kurt Angle win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in the King of the Mountains series, and he turned heel at Slammiversary. Joe officially joined The Main Event Mafia on June 25 on Impact! Joe and Sting were locked in a grudge match at Victory Road. Taz made his TNA debut and helped Joe beat Sting, thereby revealing himself as his new advisor. For the fourth time, Hard Justice Joe won the X Division crown. Joe debuffled with his longtime rival Daniels and defeated him at No Surrender after winning the title and defeating him at No Surrender.

On the October 8 edition of Impact!

Since Bobby Lashley interfered in the match, Joe lost the X Division championship to Amazing Red. Glory Lashley defeated Joe in a referee match that culminated in a referee stoppage. Turning Point Joe was defeated by TNA World Heavyweight Champion A.J. the following month. In a three-way match, the designer styles were also involved with Daniels.

Joe won the briefcase containing a shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship at final Resolution, and appeared in the "Feast or Fired" match. Joe returned to Impact! on February 4 by attacking A.J. after being off television for several weeks. Styles, who had recently turned heel with Ric Flair, had announced that he would be shooting for Styles' World Heavyweight Championship at Against All Odds. In a No Disqualification match refereed by Eric Bischoff, the Styles retained his title against Joe at the pay-per-view style. Joe was kidnapped by masked men, and the following is a summary of his case. On March 29, he resurfaced in a video package containing an episode of Impact! Joe made his Impact on Impact's April 19 edition. In an eight-man tag team match against Team Flair (Sting, Desmond Wolfe, Robert Roode, and James Storm), with Becker scoring the deciding pinfall after a Muscle Buster, he appeared as a surprise participant of Team Hogan (Abyss, Jeff Jartt, and Rob Terry). He was never told of his kidnapping. Vince Russo planned a big storyline with a psychotic gaggle, according to Joe. Russo called him back because he needs more babyfaces and Russo can't find the right words to describe the kidnapping. Douglas Williams, Brian Kendrick, and Matt Morgan, the last of whom had to forfeit the TNA World Tag Team Championship due to the assault, went on to randomly assault wrestlers like Douglas Williams, Brian Kendrick, and Matt Morgan.

On the May 20 edition of Impact!

In the first ever TNA Championship Committee rankings for a World Heavyweight Championship championship title shot, Joe was ranked tenth. He began his climb to the top of the charts by defeating Hernandez on June 17, the number four ranked A.J. On the July 22 edition of Impact!, styles were chosen by style on July 1 and by wrestling number two. Joe was furious with the match's start of a time limit draw when Joe said he didn't want to start one because he felt it would announce the match's end early. Joe was banned from TNA indefinitely as a result of his outburst. Joe recovered from his suspension at the tapings of the August 26 edition of Impact! Orlando Jordan will be defeated by him. Joe aligned himself with Jeff Jartt and Hulk Hogan in their battle against Sting and Kevin Nash this week. In a tag team match with No Surrender Joe and Jarrender Nash, Joe choked out Sting and Nash after Jarrett struck him with his baseball bat behind Joe's back. Glory Joe and Jarredt played in a handicap game against Sting, Nash, and their new friend, D'Angelo Dinero, after Hulk Hogan, who was supposed to team with Joe and Jartt, was forced to pull out due to a back surgery. Jartt quit Joe and left him pinned by Nash at the end of the match. Later in the night, it was revealed that Hogan was in fact in the building when he helped Jeff Hardy win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship and formed a new heel team with Hardy, Eric Bischoff, Jeff Jartt, and Abyss.

At Turning Point, Jartt defeated Joe after choking him out with a baton due to Gunner and Murphy's interference. In a submission match against Jartt next month, Joe faced Jartt for the final resolution match. Jartt was able to convince Joe to submit with an ankle lock after a pre-match assault and then some interference by Gunner and Murphy. Joe's TNA deal had come to an end earlier this day. Joe resigned with the promotion on December 17, 2010. Joe returned to Impact!, January 6, 2011, in an interview where Okato was paired with Joe for the first time. Joe of Against All Odds Joe defeated Dinero in a singles match on February 13th. In a steel cage match at Lockdown, the two teams competed.

Joe's next feud would be with the undefeated Crimson, who will abandon in the ring and the hands of Abyss on two occasions, saying that he did not need anyone's assistance during his own undefeated streak and becoming a tweener in the process. Joe was disqualified by Crimson in a singles match on June 12 at Slammiversary IX, and Crimson shook Crimson's hand after a match. Joe began displaying annoyance after losing to Rob Van Dam, Devon, Kazarian, and Bobby Roode. Joe finally ended his long losing streak on the TNA World Heavyweight Championship by defeating D'Angelo Dinero by submission on August 4th, but the decision was reversed after the match was postponed. Joe accusing TNA's leadership of being against him, the company's future has been promised that the blood would be on their hands from now on. After announcing his intention to ruin the Bound for Glory Series, Joe slammed Devon, D'Angelo Dinero, and Crimson, the tournament's leader, after suffering a storyline ankle injury. Joe tried to intervene in a match between Gunner and Rob Van Dam on the last week of the Bound for Glory Series, but was stopped by guest color commentator Matt Morgan, who was sidelined with a torn pectoral muscle. This resulted in a brawl later in the evening, with Joe striking Morgan in the arm with a steel chair. Joe was back to lose as he was thrashes by Morgan in a grudge match on September 11. Joe ended his losing streak by defeating Morgan in a submission match on the following edition of Impact Wrestling. Crimson won two more matches over Joe after recovering from his injury, first defeating him in a singles match on October 6 and later involving Matt Morgan in a three-way match at Bound for Glory on October 16.

Joe and Magnus defeated A.J. on the January 5, 2012, edition of Impact Wrestling. Styles and Kazarian will dominate the four-week Wild Card Tournament and claim the top contenders for the TNA World Tag Team Championship. "We were both always pissed off," Magnus said, so they could be pissed off together." Crimson and Matt Morgan failed to capture the TNA World Tag Team Championship from Genesis, Joe and Magnus three days later. Despite the loss, Joe and Magnus remained together as a tag team, vs. Crimson and Morgan on the next two versions of Impact Wrestling. Joe and Magnus defeated Crimson and Morgan in a non-title match on February 2nd for another shot at the TNA World Tag Team Championship. Joe and Magnus defeated Crimson and Morgan in the TNA World Tag Team Championship on February 12 at Against All Odds. Joe and Magnus then defeated Crimson and Morgan in two rematches, the first on February 23 and the second on March 18 at Victory Road, to keep the championship. Joe and Magnus successfully defended their title against Mexican America on March 22 of Impact Wrestling (Anarquia and Hernandez). Joe and Magnus defeated The Motor City Machine Guns in a steel cage match on April 15 in Lockdown, TNA World Tag Team Championships were retained. During the first "Open Fight Night" on April 26, Joe and Magnus successfully defended the TNA World Tag Team Championship against Jeff Hardy and Mr. Anderson's team, who had been stabbed by Christopher Daniels and Kazarian, who had earlier in the tournament, who had been denied a championship shot earlier this year. Daniels and Kazarian lost the TNA World Tag Team Championship to Sacrifice, Joe and Magnus on May 13.

Joe had a run-in with X Division Champion Austin Aries on May 31 on Impact Wrestling, costing Joe's match with Crimson the following week. Joe unsuccessfully challenged Aries for the X Division Championship on June 10 at Slammiversary. Joe is the newest member of Impact Wrestling to debut in the 2012 Bound for Glory Series, from which he was the last man to be disqualified by James Storm in the first gauntlet match. Joe defeated old rival Kurt Angle via submission on July 8 in the Bound for Glory Series's new points leader. Joe finished second in the tournament's group stage on September 6, behind James Storm, thus moving to the semifinals. After losing to Jeff Hardy in his semifinal match three days later, Joe was disqualified from the tournament, according to No Surrender. Joe defeated Mr. Anderson to win the vacant TNA Television Championship on September 27, becoming TNA's third Grand Slam Champion. Joe defeated Rob Van Dam in his first successful title defense the following week. Joe defended his title against former tag teammate Magnus at Bound for Glory on October 14 at Bound for Glory. Joe continued to do fine defenses the following weeks, defeating Robbie E on the October 18 episode of Impact Wrestling and Robbie T the following week. After being struck with a wrench, Joe resumed his rivalry with longtime companion Magnus, defeating him by disqualification on the November 1 episode of Impact Wrestling. On November 11, the feud came to an end in a No Disqualification match, in which Joe was again successful in holding the title.

After the DOC of Aces & Eights struck Joe with a ball-peen hammer, he lost the Television Championship to Devon on December 6 of Impact Wrestling. Joe met Devon, DOC, and two masked members of Aces & Eights in a three-day match at Final Resolution, three days later. In a steel cage tag team match on January 3, 2013, Impact Wrestling, Joe and Kurt Angle defeated Devon and a masked member of Aces & Eights. The returning Sting saved Joe and Angle from a beatdown from Aces & Eights before revealing the mystery member as the debuting Mike Knox. Following Mike Knox's interference, Joe was defeated by Mr. Anderson in a singles match on January 13 at Genesis. Team TNA, which consisted of Joe, Eric Young, James Storm, Magnus, and Sting defeated Aces & Eights, made up of Devon, DOC, Garett Bischoff, Mike Knox, and Mr. Anderson in a Lethal Lockdown match on March 10. Joe was disqualified by Jeff Hardy in a four-way match for the World Heavyweight Championship, which also included Kurt Angle and Magnus on March 21. Devon was supposed to defend his Television Championship against Magnus on April 18 but DOC and Knux followed him before the match could begin. Joe was then named in his position for the championship match, but Devon retained the title after Aces & Eights interfered.

Joe returned from Impact Wrestling's May 23 episode, saving former tag teammate Magnus from an attack by Aces & Eights. Joe competed against Aces & Eights on June 2 in a thrilling battle against Aces & Eights (Garett Bischoff, Mr. Anderson, and Wes Brisco). Joe defeated Robbie E to qualify for the 2013 Bound for Glory Series on Impact Wrestling's following episode. Joe was able to win in his Bound For Glory Series match against Mr. Anderson on June 27, and was named as the third member of Anderson's New Main Event Mafia. He took the Ultimate X match in Bound For Glory against Manik, Austin Aries, Chris Sabin, and Jeff Hardy on October 10, 2013. Sabin took the match at Bound for Glory. Sting "temporarily disbanded" The Main Event Mafia on November 7, 2011, and Samoa Joe was placed in the World Championship Tournament. On November 21, his first round matchup against former Main Event Mafia stable-partner Magnus will be a Free Count Anywhere match on Turning Point PPV (which has since become a free-Spike TV event) match. Samoa Joe aired his dissatisfaction with Dixie Carter's botched labor talks with AJ Styles on November 14 and Styles would defend his title if he wins the contest. Joe was defeated by Magnus in the first round of the tournament for the uncontested TNA World Heavyweight Championship at Turning Point. Joe was unable to obtain any of the four cases in a Feast or Fired match against Austin Aries, Chris Sabin, Curry Man, Dewey Barnes, Dewey Barnes, Nov Fernum, Firero, Zema Ion, and Hernandez on December 12th. Joe spoke to Dixie on January 1, 2014, telling her about AJ's comments about having a locker room full of friends. Dixie was told by Joe that she should only be concerned with her match against her uncle, Ethan Carter III. Joe is thrown backstage by EC3, only to fight back on their way to the ring to begin the match. After being disqualified by EC3 after an interference by Rockstar Spud, Joe went on to win the game by disqualification. After Daniels submitted to his Coquina Clutch, Joe, along with James Storm, Gunner, Joseph Park, and ODB, won a 12-man tag team match against The BroMans on Day 1 of Genesis (Jessie Godderz, Robbie E, and Zema Ion), Bad Influence (Christopher Daniels and Kazarian), and Lei'D Tapa. After a Muscle Buster, Joe defeated Rockstar Spud by submission on Day 2 of Genesis, and Coquina Clutch followed it until Spud's time ran out. Following a series of errones by EC3, Bad Influence, The BroMans, and Bobby Roode, Joe later helped level the playing field in Sting's TNA World Heavyweight Championship, with Sting's contract voided if he lost.

Joe faced Bobby Roode on February 6th in Impact Wrestling's No. 4 battle. Joe won after applying the Coquina Clutch and making Roode submit, making him the number one contender for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, in which Joe defeated him. In a Steel Cage match for the TNA World Championship against Magnus on March 9, 2014, Joe lost to Magnus after an attack from Abyss; the match was held under "Joe's Rules," i.e. It could only be ended by knockout or submission. On April 3, Joe and Eric Young, Abyss, defeated then-champion Magnus in a thrilling four-way match for the TNA World Championship, which he lost. Joe has taken time off from TNA. Samoa Joe made his return to Eric Young and Bully Ray on May 29th, and he helped Eric Young and Bully Ray beat MVP Bobby Lashley and Kenny King all by himself. Joe won the TNA X Division for the first time in nearly four years on June 27 (Aired August 2, 2014). After pinning Low Ki with a muscle buster at Hardcore Justice, Joe successfully defended the X Division Championship against Low Ki. However, he was suspended from the sport as a result of an injury. TNA gave him the trophy back for one night against Low Ki and Kaz Hayashi, who were fighting it at Bound for Glory.

Joe helped Lashley regain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship with the help of MVP, Kenny King, Low Ki, and Roode's buddy Eric Young, who helped them turn Joe and the last two opponents into heels in the process. MVP introduced Lashley as "the core of the Clan" and officially christened them the Beat Down Clan on Monday night, as well as a "founding member" (officially establishing the BDC as a faction). However, Lashley refused to join this new group and decided to leave, but other members of the BDC threatened that the name belonged to the BDC. Team Angle, Kurt Angle, Austin Aries, Gunner, and Lashley) defeated The BDC (MVP, Samoa Joe, Low Ki, and Kenny King) in a fatal Lockdown match on February 6, 2015. Joe resigned from TNA on February 17, 2015, capping his career of nearly a decade with the organization.

Joe made his debut in the Mexican Lucha Libre AAA World Wide (AAA) competition at Rey de Reyes, where he competed with Konnan and Ron Killings as Team TNA in a four-way twelve-man tag team tournament dominated by AAA players Octagón, La Parka, and Vampiro on March 10, 2006. Joe resumed to football in Verano de Escándalo, where he first appeared TNA in an eight-man tag team competition in which he, A.J., appeared first. Styles, Homicide, and Low Ki defeated Abismo Negro, Charly Manson, Electroshock, and Histeria, which culminated in a six-man tag team match, where he, Styles, and Low Ki defeated the Mexican Powers (Crazy Boy, Joe Lether, and Juventud Guerrera). Joe debuted in July 2011 as he represented La Sociedad in two six man tag team games. He, L.A. Park, and Scott Steiner defeated Dr. Wagner, Jr., Electroshock and El Zorro, and later on July 31 in Verano de Escándalo, and the team of Drago, Electroshock, and Heavy Metal came first at a AAA television taping, first.

Joe made his Pro Wrestling Noah debut at the Yokohoma Red Brickhouse on October 25, 2007, where he joined Yoshihiro Takayama to face Mitsuharu Misawa and Takeshi Morishima. After defeating Misawa with an Island Driver, Joe gained the victory for his team. Joe met Misawa again in a one-on-one match at the Budokan Hall two days later, this time for the GHC Heavyweight Championship. Both competitors had exchanged and debating their respective signature moves throughout the tournament, but it was Misawa who secured the pinfall after striking the back of Joe's head with his elbow, securing his sixth title defense.

Joe and Magnus defeated Akitoshi Saito and Jun Akiyama to win the GHC Tag Team Championship on July 22, 2012. In their first defense, Joe and Magnus lost the trophy to Kenta and Maybach Tanichi on October 8.

Samoa Joe appeared in ROH for a number of performances from March 2015. Samoa Joe made his ROH debut on March 1, posing as ROH World Champion Jay Briscoe and challenging him to a championship match. Samoa Joe, who defeated Samoa Joe to keep the ROH World Championship alive in ring action on March 27 at Supercard of Honor IX, returned to ROH for the first time since 2008 to face Jay Briscoe, who defeated Samoa Joe to keep the ROH World Championship. Samoa Joe defeated Kyle O'Reilly, who was defeated on March 29. Joe wrestled his ROH farewell match on June 20, where he and A.J. appeared together. Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian, both ROH World Tag Team Champions, were defeated.

Joe made his debut at NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable on May 20, 2015, preventing Kevin Owens from punching an injured Sami Zayn with a chair and having a stare-down with Owens. Joe was initially allowed to continue working outside of WWE, but WWE had to decide against signing him to a full-time contract due to his superb merchandise sales, according to reports. Joe made his in-ring debut on the NXT episode on June 10, defeating Scott Dawson. A match between Joe and Owens ended in a no contest on June 17, with the two teams continuing to brawl after the match was ended until they were separated. At NXT Takeover: Baron Corbin was defeated by a technical submission in Brooklyn, Brooklyn. Joe was later paired with NXT Champion Finn Bálor to advance to the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament, where they triumphed over them in the first round, Enzo Amore and Scott Dawson, and Baron Corbin and Rhyno in the finals, according to Respect.

Following Bálor's match against Apollo Crews, Joe turned heel on the November 4 episode of NXT. Joe was not given a NXT Championship match against Bálor on November 11, despite his verbal commitment. Joe was dissatisfied with his title match against Bálor on December 16, which was held in NXT Takeover: London. On the episode of NXT, Joe challenged Corbin and the returning Sami Zayn to a number one contender's match. The match took place on the 27th episode of NXT on January 27, but Corbin pleaded no contest when Corbin submitted to both opponents at the same time. On the February 17 episode of NXT, Joe and Zayn had a top contender rematch, which resulted in a draw. This culminated in two players being ruled out of three out of three matches on NXT's March 9, where Joe won the match by a large laceration to his right cheek minutes into the match.

Joe defeated Bálor to win the NXT Championship on April 21 at a NXT live event. Joe defeated Bálor in a steel cage match at NXT Takeover: The End, in his first title defense. Joe got involved with Shinsuke Nakamura, who beat him in a title match on August 20 at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II, bringing his reign to 121 days. Joe sustained a correct dislocated jaw during the game. Joe in a rematch with Nakamura on November 19 to win the NXT Championship for the first time ever two-time NXT champion. However, he lost the title to Nakamura, Japan, on December 3, 2016, bringing his reign to 14 days and the first in the competition's history at the time, until Killer Cross, who would break this record in 2020 with a reign of four days. Joe and Nakamura's feud came to an end on December 8, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia, with Nakamura successfully defending his NXT Championship against Joe in a steel cage match.

Joe made his official main roster debut on Raw's January 30, 2017, kicking Seth Rollins from behind and identifying himself with Triple H. Cole continued to warn Joe that Triple H turned on previous cohorts in a video interview with Michael Cole. Joe denied that he was not his strong, and hurt people only because he did so for the rest of his career. Sami Zayn was then criticized for Joe's remarks about him. Joe defeated Zayn by technical submission at Fastlane on March 5. Joe then met Rollins at Payback in a losing attempt, giving Joe his first singles defeat on the main roster. Joe recovered by costing Rollins an Intercontinental Championship match against Finn Bálor and The Miz, which also saw Bray Wyatt interfere.

Joe defeated Bàlor, Rollins, Reigns, and Wyatt in an Extreme Rules match at Extreme Rules on June 4, becoming the number one contender to the Universal Championship. Joe will confront Paul Heyman on Raw, where he'll choke him out with the Coquina Clutch as a warning to Brock Lesnar. Joe would not qualify for the Universal Championship at Great Balls of Fire. Joe was on the 17th episode of Raw to determine the next top ten contender for the Universal Championship, but the match would end in a no contest after Braun Strowman interfered and attacked both men. Lesnar was pushed for the title in a fatal-four-way match in which Lesnar pinned Reigns to keep the reigns.

Joe will return from a knee injury at a house show in August after suffering a knee injury in August at a house show on October 30, defeating Apollo Crews. Joe will compete against Team Raw in a Men's 5-on-five traditional Survivor Series tag team elimination match against Team SmackDown, which Team Raw won. On the December 4 episode of Raw, Joe will face Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose in a Raw Tag Team Championship match against Cesaro and Sheamus. Joe will face Roman Reigns in the Intercontinental Championship on December 25 episode of Raw, where Joe will defeat them by disqualification, but Reigns will keep the title. Joe will face Reigns in a losing match on January 1, 2018. Joe sustained a foot injury during a match with Titus O'Neil, effectively ending him from action for the next three to four months. Since WrestleMania 34, Joe returned to the Raw, challenging Roman Reigns to a match at Backlash.

In the 2018 Superstar Shake-up, Joe was sold to the SmackDown brand. Despite the trade, Joe competed in the Greatest Royal Rumble Championship in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, against Seth Rollins in the Greatest Royal Rumble event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which also featured The Miz and Finn Balor, but did not win the title. Joe was defeated by Roman Reigns at Backlash. Joe defeated WWE Champion AJ Styles by disqualification at SummerSlam, but Styles at Hell in a Cell in a controversial style. Joe faced Styles in a no disqualification, no count-out match, where he was defeated by Styles via submission on October 6th. Joe in a championship match at Crown Jewel went back to Styles.

In a 5-on-5 tag team elimination match against Team Raw at Survivor Series, Joe was a member of Team SmackDown against Team Raw at Survivor Series, but Drew McIntyre eliminated him. Joe was drafted into the 2019 Royal Rumble match, but Mustafa Ali disqualified him, as mustafa Ali was eliminated. After being pinned by Styles, Joe was unable to capture the WWE Championship inside the Elimination Chamber at the namesake event.

Joe, joined by Rey Mysterio and Andrade on SmackDown Live on March 5, answered the US Champion R-Truth's open challenge. Joe then defeated Truth, Mysterio, and Andrade to win the United States Championship, his first appearance on the main roster. At Fastlane, Joe defended the title against Truth, Mysterio, and Andrade, as well as against Mysterio at WrestleMania 35. Joe was sent to Raw as part of the 2019 Superstar Shake-up on April 22, as part of his latest Superstar Shake-up. Joe lost the money in the bank to Mysterio. On the June 3 episode of Raw, Joe became a two-time United States champion, after Mysterio was forced to resignify the title due to a broken shoulder and hand over the helm to Joe before Joe attacked Mysterio. Joe lost the championship to Ricochet at the Stomping Grounds, snaping his second stint at 19 days.

Following the WWE Championship, Joe will return to the WWE Championship, vs. WWE Champion Kofi Kingston. A match was later scheduled between the two teams at the Extreme Rules for the WWE Championship, where Joe lost to Kingston. Joe unsuccessfully challenged Kofi Kingston for the title in a triple threat match, which also involved Dolph Ziggler, at the Smackville show on July 27. Joe was confirmed as a participant in the 2019 King of the Ring tournament in August. Joe beat Cesaro in the first round and then met Ricochet in the quarter-finals, but the match culminated in a double pinfall, with both men progressing to the semi-finals. In the semi-finals of a triple threat match involving Ricochet, Joe lost to Baron Corbin. Joe had a broken thumb while doing a match several weeks ago, and it had been confirmed.

Joe made appearances on Raw as a color commentator during his in-ring absence. He debuted as a commentator on the November 18 episode of Raw as the replacement for Dio Maddin, who was targeted by Brock Lesnar, and stayed on commentary throughout the month.

Joe was stabbed by AOP on the 23nd episode of Raw. Joe returned from injury, saving Kevin Owens from an AOP and Seth Rollins attack, turning face for the first time since 2015. After being rejected by Rollins, Joe went on to participate in the Royal Rumble match, but was unable to finish at #29. The Viking Raiders defeated Rollins, Buddy Murphy, and AOP in a losing effort on February 10 episode of Raw, Joe, Owens, and AOP in a losing effort. This will be Joe's last match in over a year.

Joe had suffered yet another injury, fractured his head during a commercial shoot, and was not eligible to compete on February 20, 2020. Joe was banned for thirty days for breaching WWE's wellness policy four days later. Joe Lawler was back on television on Raw commentary on April 27 after replacing Jerry Lawler on Raw commentary. Joe will continue on the Raw commentary team until April 12, 2021, when he was replaced by Corey Graves. He was released by the corporation on April 15, 2021.

He was fired in June after NXT's chief producer Triple H was said to be dissatisfied with his deposition and expressed immediate concern in his return. On the 15th episode of NXT as the enforcer of NXT's General Manager William Regal, Joe made his return. In addition, Joe could not compete as an active wrestler, and he would not attack any member of the active roster unless provoked. Joe feuded with NXT Champion Karrion Kross over the next few weeks, resulting in a championship match between them and TakeOver 36, where Joe defeated Kross to win the NXT Championship for the first time ever three-time NXT champion. Joe resigned from the sport ahead of any title defense due to what WWE said was an unspecified injury; Joe said in 2022 that the vacancy resulted from his testing positive for COVID-19 and Vince McMahon's desire to change the overall direction of NXT. Joe was sent as a coach backstage until his eventual release on January 6, 2022, despite not being seen on television since his third appearance as NXT champion.

After being targeted by Jay Lethal and Sonjay Dutt, Joe returned to Ring of Honor, which is now owned by All Elite Wrestling (AEW) co-founder and president Tony Khan on April 1, 2022. Following this, Khan revealed on Twitter that Joe had signed with AEW. Joe made his in-ring AEW debut on April 6, defeating Max Caster to qualify for the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. Joe defeated Minoru Suzuki in his first ROH World Television Championship, after being targeted by the debuting Satnam Singh, who identified himself with Lethal and Sonjay Dutt. Joe In the semifinals of the Owen Hart Cup, he defeated Johnny Elite in the quarter-finals and Kyle O'Reilly. Joe lost after a distraction by Bobby Fish in the final against Adam Cole at Double or Nothing.

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