Real Reason For Samoa Joe's WWE Release
Here's what may have played into Samoa Joe's WWE release last week.
Physical concerns may have been one of the key factors in WWE's decision to release Samoa Joe last week.
Dave Meltzer wrote as much in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, comparing the situation to Christian Cage's:-
"It becomes an interesting strategy because Joe, in particular, if he is in good shape, because he’s a star to the AEW fan base and can talk, could be a valuable acquisition. But perhaps WWE believes with his age and injuries, he wouldn’t be, similar to not competing to keep Jay Reso (Christian Cage)."
A pro wrestler since 1999, Joe is 42 years old. He has currently been inactive for 14 months after suffering a concussion while filming a WWE commercial in February 2020.
Prior to that, the former NXT and United States Champion had been suspended 30 days for violating WWE's Wellness Policy and had missed time due to injury in late 2019 as well.
Joe served as part of the Raw announce booth while sidelined from the ring. It was reported that he had been working to get cleared prior to his WWE release, though the company wouldn't oblige.