Samoa Joe had a whirlwind couple of hours on April 15, 2021 as he was released by WWE, but almost immediately hired back by Triple H, who brought him back to NXT. Joe would officially return to the company in June.
Joe would end up returning to the ring, and winning the NXT Championship upon his return to NXT, but was released again on January 6, 2022.
Speaking to Renee Paquette on The Sessions, Joe described the emotions he went through as his release played out twice over the course of a year.
"That, initially, as I understand it, unconfirmed, there were issues between the two upper echelons of management and they were playing out their war with the careers and contracts of the people underneath them. After the initial one, I didn't have much of a chance to breathe because, essentially, I was hired back within hours. The second time, I just kind of chuckled as I realize it was very much the same situation. At the same time, I wasn't bitter or mad. The truth of it is, and this is to give WWE some credence, is that I was expensive. I was expensive to keep around. If cutting my contract, if they say that saved the company money, trust me, I believe it did. I wasn't hot about that. It was just more the silliness of the situation, what they were doing, and the reasoning why they were doing it, which I can never officially confirm, but I've heard from enough people that I have a pretty good idea...including many of the people involved. After that, I think I spent a day pissed. More of the situation than the actual firing. Then, all these super awesome opportunities literally materialized," said Joe.
Many releases made by WWE throughout the pandemic and after were of talent hired by Triple H over the years to be part of the NXT brand before they eventually made their way to the main roster.
Joe would get voice-acting opportunities following his WWE release and eventually sign with AEW, initially joining ROH, in April 2022.
Joe is set to challenge Darby Allin for the AEW TNT Championship on Wednesday's AEW Dynamite. Fans can check out the current lineup for the show by clicking here.
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