Big Backstage Update on Why WWE Offered Samoa Joe a Full-Time Deal, His Future, WWE Pushing for ROH Match to Be Changed, More

June 6, 2015

As noted, Samoa Joe’s new, unique WWE deal will still allow him to team with AJ Styles to take on Kazarian and Christopher Daniels at Ring of Honor’s June 20th TV tapings in New York City.

According to The Wrestling Observer, WWE has been pushing very hard for Ring of Honor not to tape the tag team bout, and while the situation is still unclear, last word is that the bout will not be taped for TV.

One of the main reasons why WWE offered Samoa Joe a full-time deal is because Ring of Honor wanted Joe for more dates, including TV tapings. ROH really wants Joe to appear at their big event at MCU Park in Brooklyn, NYC, but people have noted that appearance might not be happening. Additionally, it’s being said with Kevin Owens moving to the main roster and Sami Zayn and Hideo Itami out with injury, WWE officials feel there is a lack of star power in NXT so that’s another reason why they offered Joe a full-time deal.

As of now, Joe’s full-time WWE NXT deal will not kick in until September, and he will be fulfilling his contractual indy dates until August 31st. Between now and then, Joe will be working any NXT live specials and big live events the brand might be running. As for Joe’s WWE name and a spot on the main WWE roster, that is all said to be up in the air at this point.

Samoa Joe

Samoa Joe & Forrest Griffin

Samoa Joe of TNA and Forrest Griffin of UFC during GameStop's Charity Challenge-Celebrity Match in Las Vegas - November 18, 2006 at Red Rocks Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. (Photo by J. Strauss/WireImage)
Samoa Joe & Forrest Griffin

Forrest Griffin of UFC and Samoa Joe of TNA during GameStop's Charity Challenge-Celebrity Match in Las Vegas - November 18, 2006 at Red Rocks Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. (Photo by J. Strauss/WireImage)
Samoa Joe

Samoa Joe during "TwentyFour Seven" Premiere Party - November 29, 2006 at Area in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Todd Williamson/FilmMagic)
Samoa Joe and Hulk Hogan

CLEARWATER, FL - OCTOBER 27: Hulk Hogan (R)and Samoa Joe (L) pose for a photograph during th Grand opening of Hogans Beach Shop on October 27, 2012 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Tim Boyles/Getty Images)

Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.

Nick attended New York University and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Drama.

Nick first entered the internet wrestling community back in 2004 when he became the co-host of The Voice of Wrestling Radio Show. From there, Nick made the transition from radio personality to editor when he began working with WrestleZone in 2008.

Nick is a member of two Off-Broadway theatre companies, Another Urban Riff, and the Drama Desk Award winning Godlight Theatre Company. Nick has appeared in over a dozen Off-Broadway plays since he moved to New York City, and has shot several short and feature length films. In 2010, he completed principle photography on a film titled "How to Score Your Life," which also features TNA Knockout ODB.

Inspiration in his life has come from many people including his family, Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, Jack Nicholson, The Beatles, and of course, Lassie.