Samoa Joe: The Samoan Stagnant Machine

The following editorial was written by Geoffrey Rowland and does not reflect the opinions of WrestleZone as a whole. We encourage you all to discuss Geoff’s thoughts in the comments section at the bottom of this post or by tweeting him @Geoff_Rowland

About 15 years ago there was nobody hotter outside of the WWE than a Ring of Honor superstar with size, speed, charisma and a megastar work rate.

Samoa Joe tore through the rising Indie darling company to become only it’s third champion and the first that the company called world champ. He held their belt for an unheard of, and still record, 645 days. He set the world on fire in a series of matches against the likes of Austin Aries and CM Punk.

He was going to be a megastar.

He moved on from Ring of Honor to TNA in its early years. He tore through the roster. Undefeated for 18 months. Rising to the top quickly, surpassing stars like AJ Styles, Sting and Jeff Jarrett. Kurt Angle then shocked the wrestling world by going to TNA, giving it a newfound credibility. He had to have a memorable opening feud.

He and Joe did not disappoint. Angle ended the Samoan’s undefeated streak, but Joe got a win in a return match before losing a thrilling third match to close the feud. Angle had established his spot at the top of TNA, but in the process Joe had risen. He was the next in line.

He was going to be a megastar.

He continued to fight for the TNA World title. Battling in a number of feuds of the next couple years. He faded a little as Angle carried the company and held the belt for nearly a year before, finally, TNA gave Joe his well-earned, long awaited chance to carry the strap and sit atop the company.

He beat his rival, Angle, at Lockdown in 2008 to win his first major world championship and he was on top of TNA while it was carrying one of its stronger rosters.

He was going to be a megastar.

But, something happened here. Joe went into feuds with Scott Steiner, Booker T., Christian Cage, Angle and, finally, Sting.

He lost to Sting at Bound for Glory in a ridiculous finish that saw Kevin Nash hit Joe with a baseball bat to help the Icon get the victory. Joe had lost his strap. Went on to form a group with Styles and others to challenge The Main Event Mafia. And, generally, moved to TNA’s upper-midcard permanently.

He had not become a megastar.

By the time he signed with WWE to perform on NXT in 2015, it was not clear what the future held for the once sure-hit.

He quickly rose through NXT. His workrate in the ring is next to none and his matches with Baron Corbin, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Sinsuke Nakamura and Finn Balor were stellar. He became the first two-time NXT champion. He seemed to have his mojo back. He was ready. He joined the main roster as Triple H’s hand-picked muscle.

He once again was going to be a megastar.

But as fast as he gained the rub from The Game, it was gone.

Joe became billed as a threat to everyone only to get served up to Seth Rollins, Brock Lesnar, Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns. He is the monster threat that can elevate another while doing the job.

While Styles has rolled with the WWE Championship for about 14 of the last 22 months, Joe has been chasing a calling. He has been chasing his stardom. He has put in work, but not caught the lightning.

Is Joe the next real threat to The Phenomenal One? Or is he just another Jinder Mahal, Shinsuke Nakamura or Rusev?

More than a decade ago, Styles and Joe were tearing up TNA. They were both rising stars. They were going to be the future of the business.

AJ Styles went on to megastardom. He conquered TNA, New Japan and the WWE. His in-ring ability and charisma, as well as the ease he can go heel or face has made him the top guy in the business.

There is just something missing for Joe. He has never pulled off being a fan favorite well, which has forced him to be the mean more or less for a decade now.

All the huffing and puffing and saying how bad a man he is does not mean much when he continually comes out on the losing side.

He always seems right there, but can’t ascend.

He is stuck in his stale heel persona of just being mean, which works for some who have that “it” factor — think The Beast — but for Joe is just makes him look like a lot of bark with little bite.

His performance with Styles at SummerSlam was notable and maybe this is his time to rise.

Regardless, someone somewhere is going to continue to assure us.

Joe is going to be a megastar.

Related: “What Should Have Main Evented SummerSlam?: Looking Back At The RAW & SD Live SSlam ‘Go Home’ Episodes” by Geoff Rowland