6 Things We Learned From Samoa Joe On Sam Roberts' Wrestling Podcast
A brief but informative chat with the new NXT Champion.
Samoa Joe shocked the wrestling world last week by ending Finn Balor's record-breaking reign as NXT Champion, and doing so at an NXT Live Event of all places.
It wasn't the first time a championship has changed hands at a WWE live event, but it was the first to do so at an NXT show, and has subsequently received the coverage it deserves.
Before all of that transpired Joe was a guest on Sam Roberts' Wrestling Podcast, with the appearance taking place the morning of NXT TakeOver: Dallas.
It wasn't first Joe's first showing on the show, and his previous appearance alongside MVP, Low Ki and Homicide is brought up on a number of occasions, but it is indeed his first as a member of the World Wrestling Entertainment family.
Roberts' show tends to be a little different to the usual podcast, as he takes the approach of putting together a show about wrestling by a fan who still enjoys the product. Along with hype girl Katie Linendoll it is a frequently enjoyable listen, so be sure to check it out if you can.
Joe and Roberts are obviously comfortable in each other's company, which predictably led to a brief but friendly conversation, where Joe's debut in NXT, Vince McMahon, the invasion of top talent from outside WWE and more were discussed.
Here's what we learned.
6. WWE Thought He Wouldn't Want To Go To NXT
The main topic of conversation throughout simply revolves around how strange it is to finally see Samoa Joe on World Wrestling Entertainment television.
For over a decade Joe was one of the most recognisable faces in professional wrestling outside of WWE, something that for a long time assured he wouldn't be turning up there any time soon.
Joe talks of the process that led to his arrival, something that began with a number of guys 'going to bat' for him within the company, followed by masses of meetings and discussions regarding the ideas WWE had for Joe.
Roberts asks whether Joe wanted to go straight to the main roster, and Joe responds that it may have crossed his mind but when he saw what they were trying to do with NXT there was no problems. Samoa Joe was something of an experimental idea for WWE at the time, a testing of the waters so to speak.
Joe actually says that WWE were concerned he would be insulted by having him in NXT. I'd say it has worked out pretty well for all concerned so far.