Projecting When Samoa Joe Will Make His Return to NXT

Considering how easy stories emerge online these days, WWE's decision to keep Samoa Joe's NXT debut fairly under wraps was a pretty good move.

It led to a major swerve for many when Joe emerged at the end of NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable to confront Kevin Owens, and the sight of seeing one of TNA's leading lights at WWE was a huge buzz.

However, Joe's long- and short-term plans are still vague, and it's unclear when he will make his return to NXT on a more prolonged basis.

At first it looked like he would be away from the roster for quite a while, but developments since his debut could alter the plans somewhat.

For starters, according to PWInsider.com, Joe and WWE are talking about a full-time contract with the company. That means there's a likelihood that his next appearance on NXT will be a lot sooner than first thought, especially since he'll be working many fewer dates on the road with brands like Ring of Honor.

With Joe locked down full-time, WWE will use him a lot more and try to install him as one of the main focal points of NXT. We got a hint of that this past week following Raw, when Joe wrestled in a dark match against Tyson Kidd.

At first it was unclear whether that match was being taped for an edition of Superstars, but it has since emerged that it was simply a dark match. Whether WWE is preparing Joe for a more frequent role on TV by getting him back into the groove remains to be seen, but the fact Joe is already wrestling in dark matches is a big hint that he'll be back on TV sooner than later.

Factor in the shape of the NXT roster at the moment too, and you can expect to see Joe back on NXT imminently. With Hideo Itami and Sami Zayn injured and the likes of Neville recently departing for the main roster, the brand needs more star power at the moment.

Joe is more than capable of filling that spotlight on his own, and with his presence, NXT instantly looks stronger in the light of some serious absences by mainstays of the brand.

And there's one other key element that suggests Joe is going to be on NXT within the next month: the feud WWE teased all the way back on his debut.

Samoa Joe vs. Kevin Owens on NXT would be simply unmissable; let's establish that much first and foremost. The tension and excitement among fans in attendance at Full Sail University when they confronted each other was incredible, and it's a feud that has to happen.

But with Owens embroiled in a rivalry with John Cena and picking up heat by the week, his days on NXT look numbered.

Owens is destined for a prominent spot on the main roster in the next few weeks, which means there's not much time for Joe to sit around and wait. 

Joe vs. Owens is in the pipeline, and given how Owens is moving toward the main roster faster than perhaps anyone expected, it means Samoa Joe is returning to NXT quicker than most expected.

If he isn't back on the roster as a permanent fixture by the time June is out, it will rank as a big surprise, given all the circumstances surrounding him.