4 Ways Samoa Joe should make AEW return in 2025
To close out 2023 and at the beginning of 2024, Samoa Joe was the man leading AEW and the face of the company as their world champion. Despite dropping the title mid-year, he has still cemented himself as one of the biggest names in the industry.
He was written off in July due to commitments outside the ring. Fortunately, recent reports have mentioned that he is just completing some media obligations and could return to the company soon.
With the landscape of AEW significantly changing since the last time he was around, it remains to be seen how Samoa Joe will re-insert himself into the mix. Here are four ways that he could do so by 2025.
#1. Get revenge on Chris Jericho
The last time he was in AEW, the former NXT Champion was taken out by Chris Jericho and his branches. Back in July, he was driven into a wall with a forklift and has not been seen since then.
Joe could return and go after The Nueve, as he is unfinished business with him. He could also take the chance to pursue the ROH World Championship. This would create a high-profile feud in the promotion, and have another big name like Samoa Joe appear for their shows, bringing in more attention to ROH.
At Final Battle, it seemed as if the returning Bandido was going to be the one to challenge Chris Jericho next. However, reports have mentioned that he suffered a concussion during his appearance. Now, they might need to look for someone else to feud with Jericho in the meantime.
#2. Come out as Hook's ally vs The Patriarchy
During the feud with Chris Jericho, Joe surprisingly began teaming up with Hook and Katsuyori Shibata and has acted as a mentor to them. The only reason why they stopped working together was The Learning Tree started taking each of them out, one by one.
Should the former WWE Superstar make his return, he could come to Hook's aid as he is currently feuding with Christian Cage and The Patriarchy. Just last week on Dynamite, the Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil and Shibata teamed up but fell to dirty tactics employed by Christian.
Samoa Joe could be the equalizer, and someone who helps them put away The Patriarchy.
#3. Samoa Joe becomes the unlikely hero against the Death Riders
Samoa Joe has been someone who has mostly cared only about himself throughout his career. During his time with AEW, he has not been the type to show passion for the company.
Now that Jon Moxley and the Death Riders have come into play and have taken over the promotion, he could end up being a key figure in this storyline. At Worlds End, Mox is set to defend his world title in a four-way match against Orange Cassidy, Jay White, and 'Hangman' Adam Page.
Should the Purveyor of Violence come out on top, Joe could take the chance to strike and introduce himself as the next person in line for the title. Although his reasoning would only be to take his title back, many may come to his side, as they simply want the Death Riders to fall.
#4. Pay respects to The Devil
Last year, Samoa Joe dethroned MJF at Worlds End to become the new AEW World Champion, ending his record-setting reign. The reason he was able to get a title shot was because he made a deal with The Devil, who was Adam Cole.
Now a year later, Cole and MJF are concluding their long-standing feud next week at this year's edition of Worlds End. In the case that MJF wins, Joe could end up taking Adam Cole out after the match. In this case, he wouldn't be doing this out of allegiance to Friedman, but rather due to his disappointment in the Panama City Playboy.
Joe could cite how, contrary to his being ruthless when acting as The Devil, he had grown soft and couldn't even get the job done this time around. This would be his primary reason for going after him, and would make the former AEW World Champion a heel once more, something that is more fitting for him.
At this point, there is no timeline for Samoa Joe's possible return, so fans will have to stay tuned for what surprises could be in store in the coming weeks.