For years in TNA, Samoa Joe just didn't look like he wanted to be there. More often than not, his performances inside of the ring didn't feel quite as good as they perhaps used to. Towards the end of his run, there were even those fans on social media claiming that Joe was finished as a top-level wrestler. NXT TakeOver: London blew that idea firmly out of the water. The WWE-promoted UK show was a landmark moment for Samoa Joe. As part of the 'Beat Down Clan' in TNA, he looked more than a little dis-interested. Against Finn Balor in the main event of the NXT show, he looked like the same Joe that earned rave reviews in Ring Of Honor around a decade ago. If NXT is as high as Joe gets in the WWE food chain, at least he has the chance to turn in performances like he did against Balor. It was wonderful to watch such a talented grappler look so passionate again. Samoa Joe can move for a large man, and the 20 minutes or so he concocted with the NXT Heavyweight Champion came across brilliantly. Hopefully, this isn't the last time these men collide, they deserve the chance to try and top what they achieved in London.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.
