10 Best WWE Segments Of 2017 (So Far)
9. Samoa Joe Chokes Out Paul Heyman
Most in-ring WWE segments follow a similar pattern.
Superstar A cuts an in-ring promo. Superstar B interrupts. The two men or women exchange protracted witticisms to varying degrees of success, depending on either the material or the suitability of the performers who rely on the words of others to get themselves over. More often than not, the charade either unravels into violence or, in some cases, teleportation (Bray Wyatt). Eagle-eyed readers might detect that I've used that format before, but let's just say it's a meta criticism, for WWE have used their own format for years and years and years. It's almost as if the whole thing is scripted word for word!
The first-time meeting between Samoa Joe and Paul Heyman shattered that pattern to shattering effect.
Joe didn't dilute his words by mincing them; he simply walked Heyman (on typically great, atypically self-deprecating form) into the corner and dropped the mic. Joe was utterly unaffected by his usual pandering mind games, and with a measured, sociopathic monotone, told Heyman that he was going to choke him out - and then choked him out in a segment thrilling for its freshness, realism and total lack of bloat.