Samoa Joe, who was released by WWE this past April, is reportedly returning to the company in a non-wrestling role for the NXT brand.
First reported by Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline and confirmed by Mike Johnson of PWInsider, Samoa Joe has re-signed with WWE to work behind the scenes.
This new position could also include an on-screen role as the new General Manager of NXT. After last night’s NXT TakeOver: In Your House special, William Regal, the current on-screen General Manager of NXT, said it was time for a change. Multiple sources state that Samoa Joe is the favorite to either replace Regal or join him as an act.
According to PWInsider, Paul “Triple H” Levesque was key in bringing Samoa Joe back. Levesque was also key in hiring Joe in 2014 to a unique deal that allowed him to work independent dates at first. However, Joe did eventually transition to a more traditional contract.
Samoa Joe was released by WWE this past April due to budget cuts. Joe was serving as a color commentator on Monday Night Raw. He had not served as an active wrestler since February 2020, when he sustained multiple concussions in a relatively short time.
We will continue to follow this story as more becomes available.