Samoa Joe / WWE News *Potential Spoilers*

[Smart Marx]

There's a very good reason as to why Samoa Joe was at WWE's Raw taping tonight - Joe has been signed to a full-time WWE contract, according to several sources.

According to those we've spoken to, the immediate merchandise sales of Samoa Joe t-shirts as well as the fact that Joe's appearances for Ring of Honor would now be broadcast on national cable TV both played into the decision, as did Joe's performance at the WWE NXT taping last month.

According to one source, Joe's existing NXT contract featured a clause that would allow the company to sign him to a full-fledged deal. WWE opted to execute that clause this past Thursday on the heels of ROH announcing their national TV cable deal and both sides signed an addendum to the original deal that brings Joe into WWE full-time, making him the first former TNA champion to receive his initial national exposure before then going on to become a full-time member of WWE.

PWInsider.com is currently working to confirm what this signing means for the 6/20 Ring of Honor taping where Joe was slated to team with AJ Styles vs. Kazarian and Christopher Daniels. As soon as we confirm, we'll post.

pwinsider

Trusted insider sources tells PWTorch columnist Sean Radican that Samoa Joe has signed a full-time contract with WWE. His merchandise sales were so off-the-charts impressive, Vince McMahon and Triple H pushed to get him signed to a full-time deal right away.

Obviously, he impressed everyone at the latest NXT TV tapings. He will fulfill his scheduled independent dates, but otherwise will be worked into the WWE schedule full-time, either starting in NXT or shifting quickly to the WWE main roster.

One of the independent dates that Joe will be finishing up is with AIW, who just announced Joe for their "Absolution" show on July 10 in Cleveland, Ohio.

pwtorch

One has to think WWE finally realized they don't need to hold indy vets in developmental for a year or more before moving them to the big dance.

What are your guys thoughts on Samoa Joe making such an immediate impact on WWE? What do you believe his first step will be?

 

[Wang Chung]

They need to nring back the monster Joe and let him wreck shit again.

 

[Fuji Vice]

One has to think WWE finally realized they don't need to hold indy vets in developmental for a year or more before moving them to the big dance.

Or they just didn't want his RoH appearances showing up on DA.

More interested in how this affects NXT than anything else. With Owens moving up to the main roster and now Joe seemingly doing so as well, they're going to have to rebook some of the stuff they were working towards.

 

[Sabretooth]

This news is unsurprising. Everyone knew Joe would be huge. I'm just glad WWE realized it too.

 

[FalconPunch]

I've found him underwhelming thus far TBH.

 

[Sabretooth]

I've found him underwhelming thus far TBH.

He hasn't had a chance to work a long match. You'll see.