WWE NXT 8 Ups And 1 Down (Jun 15)

Ups...

8. Samoa Joe: Chief Enforcer

Anyone who has taken in the weekly NXT product over the last few months will no doubt wholeheartedly agree with William Regal's summarising that it was "time for a change" in the wake of NXT TakeOver: In Your House's over-stuffed main event. And the NXT General Manager wasted little time setting the stage for a major shift this week, heading straight to the ring to open the latest instalment of the black and gold show.

Producing arguably one of the most convincing pieces of promo work of his illustrious career, Regal emotionally recalled the journey he'd been on since the very beginning of the developmental brand and even hinted at calling it a day as NXT's signature shepherd. Before he could, however, NXT Champion Karrion Kross couldn't resist watching this heart-breaking conclusion up close, firing off a few last piercing shots as Regal's tenure appeared to be winding down.

But then, it happened... A Samoan Submission Machine strutted down the ramp, igniting a passionate - gratefully half-full - CWC to rain down chants of "Joe, Joe, Joe" as the former NXT Champion Samoa Joe made his epic (if not, expected) return.

Having Joe turn down Regal's offer to become the new GM did hand us a welcome twist, it must be said, as the former U.S. Champion opted to step into an enforcer role instead - a position which opens (and indeed, opened) up the potential of getting his hands dirty from time to time.

Thankfully, we didn't have to wait long to see the all-round badass exacting the will of his new boss, with Joe quickly putting an end to another petulant Kyle O'Reilly/Adam Cole brawl by choking out the latter.

You don't f*** with Joe.