On Sunday night, Samoa Joe wrestled for the first time since February 10, 2020. Just a few month after WWE released him, Joe defeated Karrion Kross and won the NXT Championship in the main event of WWE NXT TakeOver 36.
In the process, Joe became the brand’s first three-time NXT Champion.
The bout was a physical clash of two powerhouses, and both men threw everything they had at each other. Joe locked in the Coquina Clutch, and ‘The Samoan Submission Machine” endured the champion’s Krossjacket hold.
We missed seeing @SamoaJoe do what he does best! #NXTTakeOver
(via @WWENXT) pic.twitter.com/Dxe8LtSsV8
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) August 23, 2021
In the end, Joe hit the Musclebuster on Kross for the pin and the decisive win, ending the champion’s reign at 136 days.
The legendary @SamoaJoe has dethroned @WWEKarrionKross to become the NEW #NXTChampion at #NXTTakeOver! pic.twitter.com/S9vC0UKbqw
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) August 23, 2021
Kross debuted on WWE RAW last month, and he has regularly competed on the red brand. It’s fair to wonder whether he’ll move up to RAW full-time following this defeat.
