Samoa Joe has built a remarkable career in professional wrestling over more than twenty years, competing in multiple promotions. Throughout his extensive journey, one element has remained consistent: the iconic chant associated with his name. Fans began chanting “Joe is Gonna K*ll You!” during his matches in Ring of Honor (ROH) in the early 2000s, and these chants eventually followed him to Total Nonstop Action (TNA), helping shape his intense and menacing wrestling persona. Joe recently opened up about how this chant came to be during an appearance on the podcast Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze.
He explained that the chant gained popularity during his feuds with AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels in TNA. Contrary to popular belief, Samoa Joe pointed out that he never instigated or encouraged the crowd to chant this phrase. Instead, it spontaneously caught on with the audience and became a defining feature of his character on its own.
“So yeah, man. I think kind of going into the matches with AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels at the time when the chant started to pick up, and you know it really took a life of its own. I mean, it was never something I ever said in a promo, it was never anything that I had kind of preempted the crowd or prompted the crowd. I mean, I think I have used it once in my promo, and that was like months after it had already been chanted,” he said. [4:41 to 5:41] —Samoa Joe
The 46-year-old also revealed that he only ever incorporated the phrase into a promo once, and that was months after the chant had become widespread among fans. This chant has endured as a constant throughout his career, significantly enhancing how fans perceive his character and intensity in the ring.
Current Update on Samoa Joe’s Injury and Absence from AEW
Samoa Joe has been absent from AEW programming since the All In: Texas event, where he was attacked by The Death Riders, an incident that removed him from television storylines. Although many assumed his absence was related to his commitments outside wrestling, notably Hollywood projects, Joe clarified that his time away is due to a legitimate injury.
In a recent interview with WrestleZone, Joe disclosed that he is currently undergoing concussion protocols. While making positive progress through treatment, he has not yet received medical clearance to return to in-ring action. Reflecting on his health situation, Joe shared:
“Obviously, we’re working through concussion protocols right now, something that I’m going to take very seriously. And you know we’ll see, hopefully doctors will clear me sooner than later. We can make amends for things that maybe shouldn’t have gone on.” —Samoa Joe
There has been speculation that his absence might be due to his involvement with the promotion of Twisted Metal Season 2, but Joe emphasized that the injury is the primary reason he remains sidelined. Fans eager for updates on his recovery should stay tuned for further announcements regarding his status.
The Lasting Impact of Samoa Joe’s Chant and Wrestling Presence
The Samoa Joe iconic wrestling chant has become an indelible part of his legacy, symbolizing his fierce and intimidating in-ring presence. Despite the ups and downs in his career and current injury challenges, this chant remains a powerful connection between Joe and wrestling audiences worldwide. His forthright explanation about the chant’s organic growth offers new insight into fan culture and how spontaneous moments can shape a wrestler’s identity.
As Joe continues his recovery, his status in AEW and professional wrestling at large continues to draw considerable interest from fans and the industry. The lasting influence of both his in-ring performances and the memorable crowd chant secures his place as a revered figure in wrestling history.
