Backstage news on Samoa Joe and WWE, WWE wants ROH match to be changed, more
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
We noted before that even though he’s signed a new WWE deal, Samoa Joe would still be teaming with AJ Styles to face Kazarian and Daniels at the June 20th Ring of Honor TV tapings in New York City. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports this week that WWE was pushing very hard for that match to not be taped for TV, which was the original plan. The situation was said to be in flux but last word was that it would no longer be taped.
We also noted how Ring of Honor wanted Joe for more dates but their new cable TV deal with Destination America was one of the factors that led WWE to offer Joe an updated deal. ROH wanted Joe for their big MCU Field show in Brooklyn and there’s talk that Joe was still planning on doing that show as of last weekend but other people noted to The Observer that the appearance is in jeopardy.
Joe is not taking indie dates past August 31st as he will be working WWE NXT full time beginning in September. Until then, Joe will be working the major NXT live events and any other specials. It was noted by The Observer that a name change and a main roster spot are still up in the air.
Besides Joe’s performance at NXT, his strong t-shirt sales and ROH signing with Destination America, another factor in WWE offering Joe a new deal was the lack of “star depth” in NXT withKevin Owens making his way to the main roster plus injuries to Sami Zayn and Hideo Itami. It was said that the real catalyst to Joe’s new contract was Ring of Honor’s cable TV deal, which caught WWE officials by surprise as it did everyone else.