Samoa Joe recently spoke to the Chad Dukes Wrestling Show about his TNA departure, return to Ring Of Honor and whether or not he would go through NXT if WWE were to sign him.
Below are highlights from the interview.
On Returning to ROH: “I think certain times in your career you reexamine things and a change of scenery is nice. It’s good for the fans, it’s good for me, and I think it’s healthy all around. I’m excited about some new matches for me, there’s some guys out there I haven’t 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.”
On the safety of the Styles Clash: “I’ve taken the Styles Clash several times and AJ’s a formidable athlete in his own right, it’s never been an issue of safety with me ever. I understand how people feel, there’s 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, it’s always been a safe as far as injuries go move and I’ve never really had an issue with it.”
On CM Punk’s tweet to him about “owing him one.” “Time will tell and that’s really up to him and obviously his obligations to UFC. I know he’s 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 what’s left when you go into the octagon.”
On if he would go through NXT if signed by WWE: “I’ve never shied away from an opportunity to prove myself. Every promotion I’ve 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 can’t 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, ‘you’re on every show.’ I think when you do get to the point where you’re not willing to go out there and prove what you can do, I understand guys they feel strongly a certain way, that’s fine, I think it’s individual for everybody, but I know for me I’ve never shied away from an opportunity to prove myself anywhere.”
“I’ve always firmly believed that you can’t 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 it’s something that I firmly believe. At the end of the day, if you’ve got it you’re going to get there. You’ve got to find the opportunities, the doors and the windows you can find and do what you need to do.”
Check out the complete interview at ChadDukesWrestlingShow.com.
