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Samoa Joe Talks Returning to ROH & More
Posted by Steve Carrier on 02/25/2015 at 07:05 PM
- Chad Dukes of CBS Radio Washington DC 106.7 The Fan and ChadDukesWrestling.com recently spoke with former TNA star Samoa Joe. The full interview is at this link but here are a few highlights:
Returning to Ring of Honor:
I think certain times in your career you reexamine things and a change of scenery is nice. Its good for the fans, its good for me, and I think its healthy all around. Im excited about some new matches for me, theres some guys out there I havent had a chance to work with especially some younger guys, up and comers, that I think have tremendous promise and talent and I get to get in there and mix it up with them.
It kinda was a culmination over the past few months of various factors, various reasons. You kind of come to these big decisions and I kind of looked around saw the landscape of things and thought it was the time.
ROH making a run at being the #2 promotion:
I dont really have a grasp of what Sinclairs intentions are. I really havent dealt much with the new regime yet. Like I said this is my return after an absence, I think 2008 is the last time I did anything with Ring of Honor. I think they want to grow and make their brand bigger, and bringing in myself and [Patron, Styles, etc] thats going to help with that. It takes tremendous infrastructure; it takes a lot of careful planning and wise decisions so its a lot more than the talent that walks through the door.
People saying AJ Styles' Styles Clash should be banned:
Ive taken the Styles Clash several times and AJs a formidable athlete in his own right, its never been an issue of safety with me ever. I understand how people feel, theres obviously been injuries involved with it, but I know especially with my very long-term experience with experiencing the move on all ends of it, its always been a safe as far as injuries go move and Ive never really had an issue with it.
Possibly facing CM Punk again:
Time will tell and thats really up to him and obviously his obligations to UFC. I know hes training real hard for his upcoming fight but if he wants to throw down, if he wants to scrap, you can come over here and start off with me and see whats left when you go into the octagon.
Possibly doing MMA:
I really havent put any thought to it. I like to train, I train with a bunch of really awesome dudes here locally and back when I was full-time in California, its kind of a world thats always been around me. I love pro wrestling, man and Im a pro wrestler and I love what I do.
Top indie stars making it to WWE NXT:
Im over the moon happy for those guys. Anyone that knows what the independent wrestling life is, its quite a grind, and for years there was that connotation kind of attached to it where a lot of those guys wouldnt get a fair shot in a bigger company. To see those guys doing so well and to see those guys taking the opportunity and running with it, I think its indicative of what youll find out on the independent circuit in a lot of cases. Its interesting, I think Hunter hes kinda come to realize that. I think most wrestlers up there they do respect the journeymen, the guys that go out there and grind it out, do this for the love and they realize theres talent out there.
Possibly going to WWE and starting in NXT:
Ive never shied away from an opportunity to prove myself. Every promotion Ive ever worked for, initially when I started out, never wanted me. I remember my first Ring of Honor show and [Gabe Sapolsky. Former ROH booker] told me, Hey listen, we cant afford a flight out from California every month, so it will probably be a one-off deal. And then walking back through the curtain after that first match and him going, youre on every show. I think when you do get to the point where youre not willing to go out there and prove what you can do, I understand guys they feel strongly a certain way, thats fine, I think its individual for everybody, but I know for me Ive never shied away from an opportunity to prove myself anywhere.
Ive always firmly believed that you cant deny talent and cream always rises to the top. Those are two things you always hear clichés among all sports not just pro wrestling and its something that I firmly believe. At the end of the day, if youve got it youre going to get there. Youve got to find the opportunities, the doors and the windows you can find and do what you need to do.
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