20 Most Unbelievable WWE Moments From 2016
18. Samoa Joe Becomes First Ever Two-Time NXT Champion
A few years back, Samoa Joe's future was uncertain.
He'd remain in the pro-wrestling business, for sure, but with TNA's constant struggles to stay afloat, much less a successful, reputable brand capable of attracting (and paying) big-time wrestling talents, Samoa Joe's future was unknown.
Joe had been looked at by WWE a decade earlier, but after a tryout match against Essa Rios in March 2001, he was sent to developmental. It's also been said that former WWE producer Bruce Prichad and Talent Relations head Jim Ross encouraged Joe to quit the business, citing that he didn't have the necessary attributes to become a WWE superstar. While that may have been the case at the time, the Samoa Joe that dominated NXT in 2016 was enough to make many fans doubt the former WWE office personnel's opinions.
Joe ran roughshod over the competition in NXT throughout 2016 en route to becoming the first-ever two-time NXT Champion. Furthermore, Joe won both championships by defeating arguably the two biggest stars in NXT history, Finn Bálor and Shinsuke Nakamura.
With rumors of an imminent main roster call-up, Joe has come a long way from being squashed on WWE's C-show Jakked, and it's a journey many thought would never happen.