Samoa Joe Reveals Why ROH Is His Favorite Promotion

Samoa Joe recently shared his fondness for ROH as his favorite wrestling promotion during a Q&A session at Terrificon 2024.

While Joe has had successful stints across multiple major promotions, including WWE, TNA, and AEW, he pointed to ROH as the most cherished chapter of his career.

When asked to name his favorite company, Joe highlighted the unique experience he had with ROH, particularly because of the hands-on involvement and the pressure that came with being a pivotal figure in the promotion’s success during his tenure.

“I’ve been asked this a few times. I’ve had super positive experiences in every company I’ve worked for. So, it’s like, I don’t have probably a lot of the hardship stories a lot of other wrestlers do as far as dealing with companies,” Joe explained. “But if I had to choose, it would be ROH, mainly because I was so involved in everything there, and the pressure was on us to succeed. If we didn’t draw, the company was pretty much screwed.”

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Joe fondly recalled the “punk rock atmosphere” of the ROH crowd and the camaraderie among the wrestlers who were responsible for driving the promotion’s success. This environment, combined with the freedom to contribute creatively and the youthful energy of the time, made ROH a standout experience in his career.

Joe’s legacy in ROH is cemented by his record-breaking 645-day reign as ROH World Champion from March 2003 to December 2004. His contributions to the promotion were honored in 2022 when he was inducted into the ROH Hall of Fame alongside The Briscoes, Bryan Danielson, and CM Punk.

After Tony Khan acquired ROH, Joe made a triumphant return to the promotion, adding the ROH Television Championship to his list of accolades. Outside of ROH, Joe has held the AEW World Championship and made a significant impact in WWE and TNA.

Currently, Joe is taking a hiatus from AEW programming to focus on his acting career, specifically his role as Sweet Tooth in Peacock’s Twisted Metal series, with filming expected to continue through at least October.

As Joe continues to build his legacy both in and out of the ring, his memories of ROH remain a defining and cherished part of his storied career.

With Samoa Joe reflecting on his favorite moments in Ring of Honor and the impact it had on his career, how do you think his experiences in ROH shaped the wrestler he became, and what are your favorite memories of his time in the promotion? Share your thoughts in the comments below!