There are few wrestlers in the decade-plus history of TNA more misused than Samoa Joe. Entering the company in 2005, fresh off of one of the greatest runs any performer had ever had in the industry, he was portrayed as a dominant force. For one year, he destroyed the competition, enjoying an undefeated streak that remains one of his greatest accomplishments to this day. His first loss came at the hands of Kurt Angle and from there, the use of the Samoan Submission Machine deteriorated. Even after capturing the TNA World Championship from the Olympian at Lockdown 2008, he was still booked questionably. By the time 2009 arrived, the heavyweight had cooled significantly, not longer the hot commodity he once was. He was merely a guy trying to navigate the treacherous that had taken over TNA in the wake of the announcement regarding Hulk Hogan's association with the company. In 2010, the Joe character was headed in a new direction and to get there, a story was concocted by the infamous Vince Russo that saw him attacked and abducted by hood-wearing assailants. Yes, the baddest man in the company was kidnapped by three guys in black hoods.. After a brief video package aired showing him in captivity, the angle was never mentioned again. In fact, the former world champion returned to television a few weeks later to make up for the fact that Russo booked himself short on babyfaces. There was no followup to speak of and the ninjas (or overly athletic druids...whatever they were) were never identified. And they wonder why Joe never recovered. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMk0JmlGr6c
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
