Samoa Joe Has Offer To Join WWE

WWE has talked to wrestling's biggest free agent.

As soon as the word spread that Samoa Joe was quitting TNA, wrestling fans started to wonder if WWE would finally be interested in signing the soon to be 36-year-old Samoan Submission Machine. Apparently, the answer is yes. According to Dave Meltzer from Wrestling Observer Radio, Joe and WWE have already held preliminary discussions about the possibility; "I know he's got offers from WWE. I don't know the details of them, but I know they're there." He also mentioned that several other companies are interested in Joe like New Japan Pro Wrestling, Lucha Underground and he could find a lot of work doing indies every weekend the way so many wrestlers do on a regular basis. What we know for sure is that Joe's next place of employment is Ring of Honor. They released a Youtube video promoting it with Joe signed for several shows in March and likely more beyond that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJeCeuzoj8s The ROH appearances are not a surprise, but as we've noted in the past ROH is dealing with some financial issues and they may not have Joe around full time. Alberto El Patron (Del Rio) signed a deal for a few months, but his last date there is in April. The fact that WWE is talking to Joe is encouraging and he would suit NXT like a glove right now. A few years ago the thought of going to developmental for any period of time would have been a turn off for an experienced veteran like Joe, but if other experienced guys like Kevin Owens, Finn Balor and Hideo Itami are willing to do it then Joe might be too. For his part Joe is keeping quiet on the WWE subject, although he did an interview with the Chad Dukes show talking about how great it is that WWE is bringing in those experienced veterans: "To see those guys doing so well and to see those guys taking the opportunity and running with it, I think it€™s indicative of what you€™ll find out on the independent circuit in a lot of cases. It€™s interesting, I think Hunter he€™s kinda come to realize that. I think most wrestlers up there they do respect the journeymen, the guys that go out there and grind it out, do this for the love and they realize there€™s talent out there.€ In that same interview, Joe avoided specifically talking about NXT too much, but did say that he "never shied away from an opportunity to prove myself anywhere" while talking about his start in ROH. He told a story about how they weren't sure if they were going to use him, but after he proved himself in the ring he became a regular as well as one of the best ROH performers ever. Without knowing too many details, it sounds like WWE is talking to Joe and he's open to the idea of coming in. Let's hope it happens because if it does that only makes the WWE roster stronger.
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John wrote at WhatCulture from December 2013 to December 2015. It was fun, but it's over for now. Follow him on Twitter @johnreport. You can also send an email to mrjohncanton@gmail.com with any questions or comments as well.