During Samoa Joe’s ongoing AEW absence, The Opps faction has reportedly welcomed a new member in the latest episode of Collision. Joe, a former AEW World Champion, has been off television since his last match in January on Dynamite, where he defeated Speedball Mike Bailey. His absence is due to injury, leaving the faction open to changes in leadership and membership.
In Joe’s absence, HOOK has stepped up as the self-appointed leader of The Opps and has been partnering with Katsyori Shibata. The faction’s newest development involved Anthony Bowens expressing interest in joining the group during a backstage segment on Collision. HOOK gave Bowens a camera and directed him to follow through on a recruitment assignment, which Bowens complied with eagerly.
While Bowens was filming, HOOK also confronted another individual backstage who sought to join The Opps but was ultimately taken out of contention by HOOK.
Reflecting on Samoa Joe’s Past Encounters with Brock Lesnar
Earlier in his career, Samoa Joe faced WWE legend Brock Lesnar during high-profile events in 2017, including the Great Balls of Fire and SummerSlam pay-per-views. Joe recently shared his thoughts on competing against Lesnar in an interview with Monopoly Events, describing Lesnar as an imposing presence in the ring.
“If you could shave a silverback gorilla, I think that’s probably the closest you’ll get to working with Brock Lesnar. Obviously a very fearsome individual, very strong, and very feral when he wants to be. So yeah, it’s definitely big game hunting,” Joe stated.
Joe’s depiction highlights the intensity and challenge of facing an opponent like Lesnar, emphasizing the physical and mental demands of such matches.
Prospects for Samoa Joe’s Return to AEW Competition
With Samoa Joe absent from AEW programming for nearly two months, the timeline for his comeback remains uncertain. His injury and time away have prompted shifts within The Opps, notably HOOK’s leadership and recruitment actions. Fans will be watching closely to see when Joe will return to the ring and how his absence will continue to shape the faction’s dynamics going forward.
The leader of The Opps, @730Hook, gives @bowens_official a recruitment task.#AEWCollision is LIVE NOW on TNT & streaming on HBO MAX! pic.twitter.com/rVWRiAkj4J
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 8, 2026
