8 Ups And 2 Downs From WWE NXT (Aug 31)

3. Samoa Joe Wants To Set A Precedent

Samoa Joe found himself as Wade Barrett's ringside interview guest last night and shed some light on what the future means/holds for the only three-time NXT Champion in the brand's history.

Instead of heading down the tired "I'm going to dominate the division" route, even nodding to that trope by defiantly stating that goes without saying, Joe explained that his role is to set the new bar for an NXT Champion; to show the next generation what it takes to be at the very top of the brand.

Having Joe as the end level boss of sorts, battering those who just aren't ready to seize the mantle and become the new face of NXT sounds like a brilliant use of the Samoan Submission Machine for the coming months before his eventual usurping. And brilliantly compliments the fact that his role away from the ring actually involves him actively searching for the next big things.

For now, though, the question remains, who will step up to the new champ? Last week showed us there's still a whole host of contenders to go at, so it's over to the current crop to prove they have what it takes to step up to his savage plate.