Pros and Cons of Samoa Joe Possibly Heading to WWE NXT

If you’re a pro wrestling fan and not just a WWE aficionado, then you know the name Samoa Joe. If you don’t, allow me to enlighten you.

Samoa Joe is one of the most revered names in all of professional wrestling. He’s wrestled with Pro Wrestling NOAH and Ring of Honor and all over the world.

Joe notably became a member of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling for nine years, but his tenure recently came to an end. Joe and TNA mutually parted ways in February. He was a staple, a champion who won nearly every title and embarked on an 18-month winning streak when he started his TNA run.

Why is this important? Because of what it could mean for the future.

Samoa Joe is a free agent and a wanted man. He already has wrestling dates in ROH, joining them for the foreseeable future. But it’s not an exclusive deal, meaning he’s not a permanent member of the organization.

One must wonder if the WWE will sign Samoa Joe to a contract. Apparently, there have been discussions to bring Samoa Joe into the fold.

According to F4WOnline.com (via WrestleZone), Joe is expected to sign with them soon. The report also states Triple H, the chief operating officer of WWE, is a big fan of Joe’s.

It could be a match made in heaven, offering new matches and writing a new chapter in Joe’s career. However, expect Joe to be sent to NXT to adapt to the WWE style, which most likely will be a 50-50 scenario.

This article will examine why Joe going to the WWE is a good and bad idea for all parties involved. We’ll examine age, performance, and the potential impact Joe will have on the program.

Here are the pros and cons of Samoa Joe possibly heading to the WWE.

Pros:

For starters, the matchups are endless. Could you imagine Samoa Joe taking on Kevin Owens for the NXT title? This dream matchup would pair two of the most dominant men in ROH against each other in a WWE ring.

Other notable potential bouts include Joe taking on Finn Balor, Hideo Itami, Sami Zayn and Adrian Neville. Each would add a new dimension to the NXT brand and provide a different storyline. Every battle is also a dream match in the independent leagues, let alone the WWE.

This brings us to his wrestling style. Joe was billed in TNA at 6’2” and 280 pounds. The powerhouse wrestler can move for his size, diving through the ropes connecting with a suicide elbow.

Joe’s move set includes a variety of submissions, especially the rear naked choke. His finishing maneuver is the Muscle Buster, a double fisherman brain-buster that can knock out any opponent.

Finally, Joe is a locker room leader. TNA star Mr. Anderson stated on Ring Rust Radio that Joe was influential in the TNA locker room. Joe can bring that same leadership to a youthful, eager group in NXT.

Now, let’s discuss the cons of Joe possibly joining NXT.

Cons:

Samoa Joe is no spring chicken. He’ll turn 36 on March 17, not exactly the right type of superstar to put through the developmental brand.

Joe’s age could limit his performance. Even though some wrestlers get better with age, his size can go against him.

Secondly, he was a TNA guy. Will WWE's writers resent Joe? The seasoned veteran was a staple, going through each wrestler in every division. Don’t expect him to have an impact in NXT.

Lastly, brace yourself for the name change. The WWE has rebranded every independent superstar with a new name. They’ll do the same to Joe as well.

Just ask Kenta, a marketable name throughout the world. Now, he’s Hideo Itami.

Conclusion:

Samoa Joe heading to NXT would be a dream come true for WWE fans. Frankly, Joe signing with WWE would be amazing.

However, don’t expect the same Samoa Joe to walk through the curtain. He’ll be different, and there’s the possibility his production could steadily decline afterwards.

Regardless, the WWE Universe would be in for a treat. Samoa Joe is the rare sort of wrestler who can bring so much to the table. Samoa Joe becoming a WWE Superstar? Priceless!