Samoa Joe was one of the faces of Ring of Honor during the company's early days, establishing himself as one of the top independent wrestlers in the world beginning in 2002.
Joe held the ROH Title for 645 days in 2003 and 2004, and then reigned as ROH Pure Champion for nearly four months.
His dominant run in ROH helped propel Joe to further heights in TNA Wrestling, and eventually WWE and AEW.
Speaking at Terrificon, Joe explained why ROH was the favorite company he's worked for.
“I’ve had super positive experiences in every company that I’ve worked for, I don’t have a lot of the hardship stories that other wrestlers have with two of those companies [laughs]. If it was really gun against my head for an answer, ROH, but it was only because I was so hands on in everything that was there. If I didn’t draw, the company was pretty much screwed. If we didn’t draw, the company was pretty much screwed. There was a lot more pressure on us, we were very much responsible for every bit of success we had to garner out there. Just from that environment in that aspect and being young and traveling, like I said, the punk rock atmosphere of the ROH crowd. That’s something I really look back on and enjoy," he said.
Joe was inducted into the ROH Hall of Fame in 2022. He returned to the promotion in the Tony Khan Era, winning the ROH Television Championship and holding it for 574 days.
Elsewhere during the panel, Joe discussed dedicating time to the fans. You can find his full comments by clicking here.
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