10 Things you didn't know about Samoa Joe

#3 He wrestled for WWE once before his current contract

A blonde Samoa Joe wrestles former Light Heavyweight Champion Essa Rios in 2001

He wasn't the Samoan Submission Machine yet, but Samoa Joe did actually wrestle for WWE prior to his 2015 debut for the NXT brand.

Back in 2001, WWE was still pushing their Light Heavyweight division as a counter to the WCW's cruiserweight division. One man they had under contract was Essa Rios. Though he would become overshadowed by his manager/valet Lita as her star continued to shine bright, he still is remembered as one of the most gifted in-ring performers who has ever worked for WWE.

During this era, WWE would often use young wrestlers as enhancement talent. Samoa Joe was essentially fed to Essa Rios in a match. Joe was smaller and lacked the great ring psychology or hard-hitting moves of his current incarnation, but you can see the seeds being planted for future greatness.