Samoa Joe Update & Major Backstage Uncertainty Ahead Of Tonight's NXT

With Samoa Joe having had to relinquish the NXT Championship, there's now an update on the Samoan Submission Machine's current status.

As per PWInsider, the decision to strip Joe of the NXT Title was made by the WWE medical team rather than by the NXT creative team. PWI adds the three-time NXT Champ is currently not expected to be out of action for an extended period of time, although there is no news yet on an estimated return time for Joe. It's also not known whether the Destroyer will be present at tonight's NXT.

Looking to spin this obvious negative into a positive, it's been announced that tonight's NXT broadcast - the first under the NXT 2.0 setup - will see a new NXT Champion crowned in a main event featuring Johnny Gargano vs. Kyle O'Reilly vs. LA Knight vs. Pete Dunne.

Additionally, PWI reports there is a lot of uncertainty amongst NXT talents ahead of tonight's show. Following the releases of several talents who did everything that was asked of them, some members of the roster feel as if they're walking on thin ice right now.

Previously, there was a sense of security for NXT names due to how Triple H would and could protect talent. Since the recent spates of mass releases, though, that sense of security has been lost.

One other element that is causing concern amongst the roster, is how they are not sure what they are walking into later today. With Triple H likely to not be at today's show due to his recent health scare - the Game undergoing surgery after a "cardiac event" - it's not known whether Hunter's usual NXT team will be running the show, or whether instead it will be some others from higher up the WWE food chain.