Samoa Joe Believes WWE Management Used Employee Contracts In Internal ‘War’

There is no doubt that Samoa Joe is one of the most talented and accomplished pro wrestlers in the business. Samoa Joe had a very eventful first run on NXT before he made his way to the main roster in WWE. Joe was also released by the company twice, so he knows a thing or two about getting released by WWE. In fact, Joe believes WWE management was playing out their war with the careers of others.

The Samoan Submission Machine made his way back to NXT after a run on the main roster, and then he was released. However, he was hired back shortly thereafter and engaged in a feud with Karrion Kross.

Samoa Joe defeated Karrion Kross for the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver 36. However, Joe would then have to relinquish the title after suffering some sort of injury and was absent from NXT television for a long time.

Unfortunately, Samoa Joe was released by the company once again back in January 2022. While speaking to Renee Paquette on The Sessions, Joe described the emotions he went through as he was released twice within the span of a year. Joe stated that he believes WWE management was playing out their war with the careers of others.

“That, initially, as I understand it, unconfirmed, there were issues between the two upper echelons of management, and they were playing out their war with the careers and contracts of the people underneath them. After the initial one, I didn’t have much of a chance to breathe because, essentially, I was hired back within hours. The second time, I just kind of chuckled as I realize it was very much the same situation. At the same time, I wasn’t bitter or mad. The truth of it is, and this is to give WWE some credence, is that I was expensive.”

“I was expensive to keep around. If cutting my contract, if they say that saved the company money, trust me, I believe it did. I wasn’t hot about that. It was just more the silliness of the situation, what they were doing, and the reasoning why they were doing it, which I can never officially confirm, but I’ve heard from enough people that I have a pretty good idea…including many of the people involved. After that, I think I spent a day pissed. More of the situation than the actual firing. Then, all these super awesome opportunities literally materialized.”

Samoa Joe eventually made his way to AEW and ROH, where he is the current reigning ROH Television Champion. He also lost the TNT Championship to Darby Allin and is likely to continue his feud with Allin for the time being. We’ll have to see what Samoa Joe does next, but he seems very happy with his current employer.

What’s your take on this story? Sound off in the comments!