8 Ways WWE Can Make Samoa Joe The AJ Styles Of 2017
4. Send Him To SmackDown
Samoa Joe debuted on Raw, but he might not be on the red brand much longer. Seth Rollins’ injury is set to have a ripple effect throughout WWE, and the prospect of shipping Joe to SmackDown Live has already been considered.
John Cena lacks a credible opponent for WrestleMania 33, and while Cena and Nikki Bella vs. The Miz and Maryse has reportedly been discussed, Joe vs. Cena has also been mooted. It’d no doubt make for an excellent singles match on the biggest show of the year, and give the former NXT Champion the perfect launchpad for his main roster career.
A switch to SmackDown looks like a smart move, even when you take Cena out of the equation. Raw isn’t lacking in major stars at the moment, and there’s a good chance Joe gets lost in the shuffle with the likes of Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, and Braun Strowman around. SmackDown’s main event scene is much thinner, however, and this means less competition to stand out.
Joe has a rich history with AJ Styles from their time in TNA, and the Cena match would be excellent. He has never faced The Miz, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, or Dean Ambrose either, so while SmackDown is lacking in bodies, it isn’t lacking in potential opponents.
Sure, most of WWE’s biggest stars are on Raw, but Joe would benefit greatly from SmackDown’s smarter booking, particularly against wrestlers like those listed above.