Column: The Hardcore Truth- Samoa Joe Report by Zach Fenell on 08/04/2008 at 10:35 PM
Arguably the most important element to any successful wrestling promotion is homegrown stars. For proof all someone has to do is look at the Monday Night Wars. A company such as WCW with a billionaire backing died out due to the lack of homegrown stars. ECW, an independent wrestling promotion, entered the national level by taking a locker-room full of unproven talent and making them household names. The WWE was able to survive WCW’s talent raids by grooming a new set of main eventers. The WWE has continued to succeed by continually creating new stars like Randy Orton, Batista, and John Cena.
At this point you may be thinking “Wow, Zach thanks for the history lesson. What’s your point?” My point is a simple question: what about TNA? TNA’s roster boasts several wrestlers who can only be considered legends like Team 3D, Christian Cage, Kurt Angle, Booker T, Scott Steiner, Kevin Nash, and Sting. However none of those wrestlers made their name in TNA. When it comes to TNA’s homegrown talent which can stand across the ring from any of the previously named competitors without looking out of place two names come to mind: “The Phenomenal” A.J. Styles and “The Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe.
“The Phenomenal” A.J. Styles has earned his nickname by leaving it all out in the ring. He has held every title in the promotion multiple times leaving one to wonder if he is already beyond his prime. For now I will not get into that subject because the issue deserves a complete column dedicated to it. Rather I would like to discuss the other TNA branded talent, Samoa Joe.
Joe entered TNA in 2005, dominating the X-Division. He captured the hearts of the fans. Even when TNA tried to turn Joe heel fans continued to cheer for him chanting “Joe is going to kill you!” Nothing is a better example of this than Genesis 2005 when Joe turned on Christopher Daniels and beat him down after they won the X-Division Elimination match. As Joe bloodied Daniels, an obvious attempt by TNA to have fans boo Samoa Joe, the crowd continued to chant “Joe is going to kill you!”
In 2006 an undefeated Joe turned his attention from the X-Division to the Heavyweight division. We witness dream matches as Samoa Joe faced guys like Sabu and Scott Steiner. By the end of the year fans were hungry to see Joe as the World Heavyweight Champion. However fans would have to wait a 1 & ˝ later to finally see Samoa Joe win the company’s top prize. Unfortunately, Joe’s title reign has been underwhelming so far.
The problem is the 2008 Samoa Joe is not the same as the 2005-2006 Samoa Joe. He has the same abilities in the ring but TNA has been marketing him different. Basically since his alignment with Kevin Nash, Joe stopped being the wrestler fans would go nuts for. We want to see the fierce Samoa Joe which walked around with a bloody towel who let his actions speak louder than words; not a patient Samoa Joe who walks around in a suit and cuts full length promos.
My favorite Samoa Joe promo dates back to Slammiversary 2006 when Joe faced Scott Steiner. At the end of his promo Joe delivered this memorable line “I am Samoa Joe, I am TNA’s X-Division Champion, and I am pro-wrestling!” If TNA booked Samoa Joe to be a bad a$$ once again, the line “I am Samoa Joe, I am TNA’s World Heavyweight Champion, and I am pro-wrestling” would be the perfect catch phrase for Joe. It would not be hard to make Joe a bad a$$ again either.
Between Booker T holding on to his title and having his locker-room, Kevin Nash telling Joe he can’t beat Booker, and the alleged Sting screw-jobs, it would be understandable for Joe to snap back into his old self which is exactly what TNA needs have happen for Joe’s title reign to be successful. I hate to use this comparison but Joe as a wrestler is a lot like Stone Cold Steve Austin. He is unique. People do not want to see him wearing suits, they want to see him kicking a$$!
***Please note I used the term homegrown loosely when I talk about Samoa Joe and AJ Styles in TNA. I realize they made their start in Ring of Honor but let’s face it, they became household names in TNA.***
What do you think about Samoa Joe’s title reign so far? Do you agree or disagree with me? Let me know by clicking here!
