Is TNA Holding Samoa Joe's Career Back?

First, I have to start by saying that there's no doubting Samoa Joe's technical prowess in the ring. The guy is amazing, especially considering how well he moves for his body type. In my opinion he's near the top of the list as the best wrestler in the world right now. The only thing going against Joe is what company he currently works for.

TNA has some amazing wrestlers, but sadly it seems that going to two hours on Thursdays hasn't helped the quality of the product. They still have great matches, but not at the rate they were and from most of the roster.

Even when Kurt Angle jumped, it seemed to have little affect on the ratings. I'm not a big fan of judging ratings, but it does say a lot about your exposure—and sadly, Samoa Joe is missing out. Now, WWE isn't pulling numbers like the attitude era, but they definitely are blowing TNA out of the water as far as Raw goes. 

I think Joe has gone as far as he will rise in TNA, barring a miracle. This might be blasphemy to some fans, but WWE is the big time, where the lights shine brightest.

I have to admit, sometimes Vince McMahon likes the big guys too much, and there are things WWE needs to improve on greatly, but a lot more people watch them than any other current wrestling company out there.

I think Joe would have huge success in WWE much like CM Punk. Joe has the goods that make wrestlers legends. He has tremendous in ring skill that's the measuring stick when people talk about who's the greatest of all time. Joe is good enough to be mentioned in that category.

The guy can work a mic very well also. He reminds me a lot of Tazz in ECW—the guy may not have been the most charismatic, but you could feel his emotion and he made you believe he was going to do exactly what he said he would do. Samoa Joe has those same qualities in him.

Joe has had some concerns about his character and how he would be used in WWE. I think WWE wouldn't change him, unless they were insane and totally stopped listening to the fans. WWE usually goes with what works, and this formula has worked for many years. So if it ain't broke...

I think Samoa Joe would be very marketable for WWE. He's a great wrestler and he has good slogans. I'm sure WWE fans would pick up "Joe's gonna kill you" and run with it. If pushed the right way with the right storylines, Joe could go down as one of, if not the, best Samoans to ever step foot in a WWE ring.

Sounds crazy right? But the guy is that good.

I can understand loyalty, but that can only get you so far. I mean being a WWE champion is as high as you can go right now in Pro Wrestling. I believe for Joe to be considered one of the all-time greats, he must go to WWE.

I say that because with TNA as it is now, people will use that to negatively assess his career. They will say,"So he was champion, who cares? They were a sinking ship by then."

WWE is on top of the mountain, and Samoa Joe needs to become king of the mountain of wrestling to cement his wrestling legacy. Sure, Joe will be a sellout—but I'd rather sell out Madison Square Garden than struggle to fill a small arena in South Carolina.

Hopefully someday this dream will become a reality. I would love to see a Samoa Joe-CM Punk match at Wrestlemania. I would love to see anyone follow those guys—good luck! Hear my plea, Joe: leave the dusty old shack for the mansion on the hill. Come to WWE where The World is Watching!

The Guru,

Clint Ploetz