Samoa Joe has achieved championship success in multiple major wrestling promotions including TNA, WWE, ROH, and AEW, but he has singled out certain title reigns as his favorites. Speaking on the F Y’all podcast hosted by C.T. Fletcher, Joe highlighted his time as AEW World Champion, NXT Champion, and ROH World Champion as particularly memorable. This discussion underlined his appreciation for his reigns that held significant meaning and enjoyment.
Joe stated,
“You know, I enjoyed the AEW [world title] reign. It was a lot of fun, so I’d probably say that one, just because recently I got to work with the people I worked with and had the time that I had. It was pretty cool. Other than that, I always loved my ROH title reign. I think probably after that, maybe my NXT reign.”
This reveals the personal value he places on his recent championship experiences as well as his earlier notable runs.
Currently, Samoa Joe is a part of the AEW World Trios Champions team alongside Katsuyori Shibata from The Opps and Powerhouse Hobbs. His continued involvement at a high level in AEW showcases his sustained prominence in professional wrestling.
AEW President Tony Khan Praises MVP’s Role and Impact
In a recent conversation with Jim Varsallone, AEW President and CEO Tony Khan expressed strong admiration for MVP, the leader of the Hurt Syndicate, emphasizing both his in-ring talent and leadership qualities. Khan recognized MVP as a key figure contributing to AEW’s growth and strength within the wrestling world.
Regarding MVP’s overall contributions, Khan commented,
“MVP is an outstanding pro wrestling mind. He’s come in and become a top voice in AEW. Bobby Lashley is still undefeated and unpinned in the ring. He is an outstanding star. Shelton Benjamin has come into AEW and been one of the top athletes and somebody that has not only turned back the clock but established themselves as one of the premier bell-to-bell wrestlers to this day after decades in the sport. When you have two top athletes like Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin, they’ve held the world Tag Team Championships together, they’ve been singles stars, and now MVP is stepping in the ring and wrestling for us, which has been great.”
Khan further acknowledged MVP’s experience and wisdom, saying,
“Having such a great group in AEW, for me, MVP has to be out there with some of the smartest people and best minds. He’s had a great career in the ring as a wrestler, he has great experience, which helps him as one of the top coaches and managers in pro wrestling today. He has a very inspirational story outside of the ring, which only enhances his knowledge and legacy. I love working with MVP. He’s tremendous and the kind of great person we want in AEW.”
The Blade Opens Up About His Spinal Surgery and Recovery
The Blade, who has been absent from AEW television since last year, recently explained the reason behind his hiatus during an episode of the Talk N’ Shop podcast. He revealed that he underwent a spinal fusion operation in September 2024, a procedure that AEW supported fully, including covering his surgery and physical therapy costs.
Reflecting on the surgery, The Blade shared,
“I had a back fusion, spinal fusion, on September 10th of ’24. It’s been about a year now, and I’m getting close to going back to doctors, getting cleared, the whole thing… I’ve been wrestling 25 years, you know, I’ve had a bad back for a long time. Like, AEW f**king took care of my surgery, they took care of my physical therapy, like they’ve been taking care of me for like over a year now; I’m really, really grateful for that job.”
He also recounted how a 2020 match worsened his back condition:
“It’s like embarrassing to say… Me and Butcher had a f**king killer Falls Count Anywhere with the Bucks. And I’m in my 40s, and I was thinking that I was Jeff Hardy… I went to do the exact same thing [front flip over a table], I mean, I can remember when I slid in the ring and I was hitting the ropes and I just, my legs weren’t there and I was like ‘I don’t have this. I remember my, just, felt the right side of my back just…going like completely numb… And just kept wrestling!”
Why These Title Reigns Matter in Samoa Joe’s Career
The championship reigns Samoa Joe identified reflect key milestones in his wrestling journey, where personal satisfaction and professional growth intersected. His AEW World Championship run stood out partly due to the camaraderie and environment he experienced during the reign. Likewise, the ROH World Championship remains iconic in his career for its prestige and legacy, while his NXT Championship reign marked significant developmental success.
Joe’s reflections illustrate how different title periods can shape a wrestler’s career both in terms of performance quality and relationships within the industry. His ongoing role as an AEW World Trios Champion signals his continued importance in the wrestling landscape and suggests potential for future notable achievements.
