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WWE released Samoa Joe on January 6, 2022. Since then, AEW fans have clamored for Tony Khan to sign the Samoan Submission Machine.
WWE initially released Samoa Joe in April 2021, but upon Triple He's behest, he was rehired a few weeks later. He returned to NXT as William Regal's enforcer.
Even though he took up an authoritative role, Joe began feuding with Karrion Kross over the NXT Championship, winning the title at TakeOver 36 and thus becoming the first-ever three-time NXT Champion.
However, he was forced to vacate the title after suffering an injury. Joe was released this week with no televised appearances since dropping the title.
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Samoa Joe is one of the best wrestlers of this generation who has wrestled worldwide and won titles everywhere he's been. He has a unique look, elevated by his exceptional in-ring and mic work. He's capable of being a badass babyface or a heinous heel, and despite being 42, Joe might still have something to offer to another company, particularly AEW.
AEW has assembled a fantastic roster of diverse talent, from powerhouses like Wardlow to athletically gifted performers like Dante Martin. Samoa Joe will fit right in and have sensational matches with all kinds of opponents. Here we look at five dream matches for Samoa Joe in AEW.
#5. Samoa Joe vs. Miro in AEW
As a charismatic performer who can cut mean promos, Miro is arguably the best big man in AEW currently. The exact words can very easily be used to describe Samoa Joe. If anything, the Samoan Suplex Machine is the better mic worker between the two.
Miro made a rocky start to his AEW career when he debuted as Kip Sabian's best man. However, since transitioning to the Redeemer gimmick, the former WWE US Champion has become one of the best stars in the company. His run with the TNT Championship was dominant and littered with excellent title defenses.
The God's Favorite Champion vs. The Samoan Submission Machine rivalry would be memorable. Miro has been upset with his God for a long time now. A debuting Joe introducing himself as God and looking to put the Bulgarian Brute down would immediately become the most intriguing storyline in AEW.
#4. Samoa Joe vs. Bryan Danielson In AEW
Samoa Joe vs. Bryan Danielson in AEW will be a historic match. Despite being in WWE for a few years, the duo never engaged in a one-on-one feud.
Danielson has undergone a transformation in AEW. Free from the shackles that WWE puts on their stars to perform a more formulaic and safer style, the American Dragon has had a stellar second-half of 2021, which saw him wrestle in classics against Kenny Omega, Eddie Kingston, and Hangman Page.
Danielson's matches have been hard-hitting and have showcased his full capabilities inside the squared circle. Facing someone like Samoa Joe will bring even more out of Danielson.
Samoa Joe can brawl; his offense looks believable, and mixing it up against arguably the greatest technical professional wrestler of all time is a recipe for success. They are long overdue for a rivalry, and AEW would be the perfect place to set them loose and work their magic.
#3. Eddie Kingston vs. Samoa Joe in AEW
One of the best things about Samoa Joe is that everything he does and says seems authentic. Whether as a heel or babyface, his character is always popular with the crowd.
AEW has its own version of an organic babyface that got massively over with the crowd in Eddie Kingston. His matches over the last year have also proven that his in-ring ability complements his character.
The Mad King is a hard-hitting star who adds brutality to his matches with suplexes and chops. Mixing it up with Samoa Joe would be a fascinating watch, especially if the three-time NXT champion works as the heel.
#2. Samoa Joe vs. MJF in AEW
Samoa Joe has plenty of history with a lot of AEW stars. While his story with CM Punk is well known and well documented, there is some backstory with one of the biggest heels in all of professional wrestling, MJF.
During his time in WWE, MJF worked as an extra. One of his roles involved being part of Samoa Joe's security. The former IMPACT World Champion shoved the Salt of the Earth while walking backstage, which has now become a viral meme.
MJF has acknowledged the video in the past, and should Samoa Joe join AEW; it will be the perfect catalyst to start a feud between the two.
The promo battles between the two would be legendary, and MJF is also a solid wrestler to ensure that the match's in-ring aspect will be fantastic.
#1. Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk in AEW
Samoa Joe and CM Punk's series of matches in 2003 and 2004 changed how independent wrestling was perceived. It allowed the likes of Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Cesaro to become household names on national television. If Joe were to join AEW, Tony Khan absolutely needs to reignite the rivalry.
Joe and Punk had two 60-minute time limit draws before the former finally put the latter away in an iconic trilogy of matches. The Second City Saint has never beaten the Orange County-born powerhouse in singles competition. The story is ready-made, and all we need is the #AllElite graphic for Joe, and everything can be in motion again.
The target audience of AEW will highly appreciate the final chapter of Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk. Both men fighting on national television to close out their rivalry would be a fitting end to one of the greatest professional wrestling stories ever.
