7 Reasons Why Samoa Joe Deserves to Be WWE Universal Champion

Samoa Joe defeated four other top Superstars at Extreme Rules to earn a shot at Brock Lesnar's Universal Championship, and if booking decisions were based on logic, WWE would put the title on The Destroyer.

Just in case his performance in the Fatal 5-Way match was enough to convince you Joe can hang with anyone in the main event scene, he delivered one of the best segments in recent history the following night when he choked out Paul Heyman.

It wasn't watching Lesnar's advocate struggle to breathe that made the moment so effective. It was listening to Joe slowly and calmly describe what he was about to do to him that sold the segment.

The Beast is scheduled to return on Monday's Raw to address his opponent for the Great Balls of Fire pay-per-view, so there is a good chance we will see some physicality between the two.

This is a dream match for many fans, but if recent history tells us anything, Joe's chances of winning the title are slim.

This slideshow will look at seven reasons why Samoa Joe deserves to leave the PPV with the Universal Championship draped over his shoulder.

7. He Is Great on the Mic

When a Superstar becomes one of the top champions in WWE, they are expected to do interviews, deliver promos and interact with other wrestlers every single week.

If someone is weak on the mic, their title reign likely won't last long. You have to be able to make the audience care about what you are saying for 10 minutes or more.

Samoa Joe is someone who can captivate an audience, regardless of whether he is performing as a heel or babyface. Some Superstars are only good at one or the other, but Joe can transition from hero to villain at the drop of a hat.

His promo on the June 5 episode of Raw showed off his intimidating presence, and the moment when he explained to Paul Heyman what was about to happen before choking him out was one of the more entertaining moments we have seen this year.

After spending 17 years toiling away in the pro wrestling business, Joe has gotten comfortable communicating with wrestlers on any level, and it's just one reason why he would make a good universal champion.

6. He Is an Outstanding Wrestler

Champions are supposed to be in the main event every night, and they are also supposed to put on one of the best matches on the card.

Joe has been part of several five-star matches during his career against wrestlers of all shapes and sizes who work every style imaginable.

Some of his early work in TNA alongside AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels rivaled anything WWE was putting on at the time.

However, it was when he entered into his first rivalry with Kurt Angle when fans started to realize just how good The Samoan Submission Machine really is.

He is capable of brawling, using a technical style and he has even been known to take to the air on a few occasions. When Samoa Joe in involved in a match, you know you are going to get 100 percent out of him every single time.

5. He Is Popular Around the World

Being popular in your home country is one thing, but someone who is supposed to represent a worldwide organization needs to appeal to the entire international audience. 

Joe has wrestled all over the world, and he has gained the respect of fans in every country he has worked by being one of the best big men in the business.

His Samoan heritage links him to some of the most popular Superstars in the history of the business, even if he isn't a member of the Anoa'i family. 

When WWE tours internationally, it wants to put people who are popular in those countries front and center. Joe would be an ideal ambassador for WWE in just about every part of the world. 

4. He Is Already a Decorated Champion

If management is going to put one of its world titles on a wrestler, that person needs to have a resume worthy of the accomplishment. 

Joe has held titles in Pro Wrestling NOAH, TNA, Ring of Honor, NXT and a handful of smaller promotions. This is all on top of the numerous tournaments he has won and awards he has received for his work.

He helped rebuild NXT's momentum after the roster was depleted during the brand split, and his run as champion was one of the best in the history of the brand.

Wherever Samoa Joe goes, he reigns down destruction on his opponents and takes their gold. It's a big part of why he has such a good reputation in the wrestling business.

3. He Is an Established Veteran

Lesnar and Samoa Joe broke into the business in 2000, making both men 17-year wrestling veterans. The paths they took to get where they are today were as different as could be.

The Beast was signed to a WWE deal the same year he won the NCAA Division I Heavyweight Wrestling Championship, but it took Joe 15 years to get to the same place.

It's not as if he didn't deserve to be in WWE years ago. Joe just took an alternate route by starting in the indys and working his way up the ranks the hard way.

By working with so many different companies and honing his skills against wrestlers from around the globe, Samoa Joe became one of the most versatile performers in the business.

If WWE doesn't book their match at Great Balls of Fire as another squash for Lesnar, he and Joe could put on an instant classic. 

2. He Is One of the Top Heels in Wrestling

It's a lot harder for talented heels to get negative responses from the WWE Universe these days because fans tend to cheer for who they like, not who WWE wants them to cheer for.

It takes a special talent to be one of the best in the business and still get mega heat from the crowd, and Joe is one of those people.

When he put his arm around Heyman's throat and squeezed until he passed out, the fans in attendance booed their heads off.

The segment garnered universal praise online, so the fact that Joe received a negative response from the live crowd speaks volumes about how good he his at making people hate him.

1. He Could Believably Beat Brock Lesnar

When was the last time someone went into a match against Lesnar without being the obvious underdog? It feels like it has been years.

The Beast has been booked to look like the most destructive force in the history of WWE, but when you look at Samoa Joe, it's hard to see him as just another victim.

He has the same kind of power, speed, agility and intensity as Lesnar, but he also knows how to make his opponents look good and build suspense in his matches.

The Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman showdown was postponed due to an injury, so unless WWE is going to keep Raw's top title off TV for the majority of the summer, Joe is the best option to bring it home.

Even if he uses dirty tactics to get the win, a victory over Lesnar would propel Samoa Joe to the top of the food chain in WWE, which is right where he belongs.