Samoa Joe has shared an update regarding his anticipated comeback to All Elite Wrestling, indicating it may happen earlier than initially thought. On the January 28 episode of Dynamite, it was revealed that Joe suffered a non-contact injury and was not medically cleared to compete, following his last match on January 21 where he defeated Mike Bailey. Speaking at a Monopoly Events convention, Joe expressed optimism about returning to AEW soon.
Leadership Changes Within The Opps During Joe’s Absence
While Samoa Joe remains sidelined, his faction, The Opps, has experienced notable changes. HOOK has assumed leadership responsibilities and is actively recruiting new members to strengthen the group. On the February 18 edition of AEW Dynamite, Powerhouse Hobbs was officially added to The Opps, enhancing their presence as a dominant mid-card faction. This addition follows promotional segments where HOOK emphasized the need for more than just speed to lead their dominance. Despite being off-screen, Joe’s legacy continues to influence the stable’s direction.
Outlook on Samoa Joe’s Role at AEW Revolution 2026
With the AEW Revolution pay-per-view scheduled for March 15 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, fans and analysts are speculating whether Joe will be ready to participate. If he recovers within the “sooner than later” timeframe he mentioned, Joe might become a key player in the ongoing rivalry between The Opps and The Conglomeration. Meanwhile, the card features high-stakes matches including a Texas Deathmatch between AEW World Champion MJF and Adam Page, as well as an AEW World Tag Team Championship defense by FTR against The Young Bucks. Joe remains focused on completing his recovery safely before returning to the ring.
We’ll be back at AEW sooner than later,
Samoa Joe said during his appearance at the convention.
