This former WWE United States Champion should have never lost to Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar is perhaps the most dominant force in WWE right now. He is a legitimate combat sports machine, having held titles not only in professional and amateur wrestling, but also in the UFC as an MMA fighter. Be that as it may, there is one former WWE star he should not have beaten.
Samoa Joe is on a tear in his current conjoined playgrounds, AEW and Ring of Honor. Tony Khan owns both, so when the former ROH World Champion debuted at last year's Supercard of Honor, it was a natural transition to bring him over to AEW Dynamite a few days later. He captured the ROH World Television Title that night, defeating Minoru Suzuki, and still holds the title.
Before his AEW success, Samoa Joe held the NXT and United States Championships during his run with WWE. Although neither are achievements to be scoffed at, it is far from what was initially promised in his run. Especially considering Joe conceivably went toe-to-toe with Brock Lesnar in 2017 for the Universal Championship.
At the Great Balls of Fire event that year, Joe and Brock collided for RAW's world Title in a bout that genuinely sold the threat the Samoan could be. Lesnar survived the onslaught, however, and pinned his challenger after a single F5. They later locked horns with each other at SummerSlam, in a four-way also involving Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman. Once again, Brock retained his title.
If the truth was to be told, Joe had no business losing in either bout. The key here was timing. Had it been a 2005 version of Brock who gave himself to the brand every week, the decision would have been justified. Had it not been because it was painfully apparent that Lesnar's title run was being prolonged so that he could drop it to Roman at the following year's WrestleMania - which didn't even happen - then again, it may have been justified.
But at the time, Joe was one of, if not the hottest stars on WWE's RAW brand. Brock was working on his typical part-time schedule. The 'Mania' main event between Roman and Brock was just as unwanted by fans as the first. WWE would have been much better off investing in their new monster.
If the plan needed to be for Roman to take the title next year, then putting it on Joe could have served up something fresh for the fans. In any case, Joe should have never lost to Brock Lesnar in their first and only singles showdown.
The former WWE star has also captured the TNT Title in AEW twice
#AndNEW!!! The King of Television reigns again as @SamoaJoe reclaims the TNT Title, after a BRUTAL match here on #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS! https://t.co/xtulq2FUlf
The Samoan Submission Machine has also picked up the mantle of "King of Television" as he captured the TNT Title. He initially won the belt when he defeated Wardlow at Full Gear in November last year.
He later lost it to Darby Allin in December. The latter made several defenses of the title weekly before Joe returned for their rubber match. Said match was won by Samoa Joe again in a No Holds Barred contest.
The self-proclaimed King will now prepare for a rematch with Wardlow after Mr. Mayhem returned to make his intention to challenge the champion clear.
What do you think? Should Joe have beaten Brock? Let us know in the comments section below.