WWE commentator Samoa Joe has put forth his desire to be WWE Champion before he calls it a day as an active performer inside the ropes.
A former WWE United States Champion and NXT Champion, ‘The Samoan Submission Machine’ has been one of the most sought after in-ring performers of the last decade and a half when he first made a name for himself in TNA in matches against the likes of AJ Styles and Kurt Angle.
Though his time in NXT was an unbridled success, the powerhouse experienced mixed success on the company’s main roster prior to his career stalling thanks to a head injury suffered on a shoot for a commercial.
However, Joe hasn’t given up the hope of returning to the squared circle and told UPROXX in a sit-down interview that he still harbours the desire to be WWE Champion before he chooses to hang up his boots for good:
“(Those titles) are a calling card for a legacy. It’s something that’s sought after. It’s based on perseverance and time. I’ve existed in a career wrought with doubt by others. I’ve learned to shut it out and never listened to it because honestly, I never had to accept those results and we found a way to get it done. So we’re just working on that right now. Just being strategic about it.”
Samoa Joe hasn’t been an active competitor since 2020, when he joined Kevin Owens and The Viking Raiders in an 8-Man Tag Team Match loss against Seth Rollins, AOP and Buddy Murphy on the February 10 edition of Monday Night Raw.
Since stepping away from active competition, Samoa Joe has served as colour commentator on the company’s red brand and gained much praise for his weekly insights.
Credit for the interview: UPROXX
h/t for the transcription: Fightful