In a surprising turn of events, Samoa Joe was released from the WWE on April 15 because of the company’s ‘budget cuts’. The former United States champion revealed that he was contacted by the COO of the company, Triple H, just hours after his untimely release.

The release shocked everyone in the wrestling community, but Joe stated that he understands the company’s perspective and respects its decision, considering that he hasn’t wrestled since February 2020.

Samoa Joe went talked to multiple WWE officials

Speaking with WWE analyst, Ryan Satin on his “Out of character” podcast, Joe revealed the emotional rollercoaster he went through when he was fired and re-hired on the same day.

“It was weird. Johnny [John Laurinaitis] called me and was like, ‘Hey, we’re gonna have to release you from your contract.’ I was like, ‘Okay, cool.’ ‘Joe, we think the world of you and would love to work with you again.’ ‘Absolutely.’ I did have a bit of understanding. At the time with injuries and coming back and getting ready to rehab and we’re in a pandemic. I got it. It wasn’t unexpected, but at the same time, I was relatively calm about it. I’ve been in this situation before,” Joe said on Ryan Satin’s podcast.

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“Younger me probably would have been freaked out, but at this point, you just pivot. I was already in the work of setting up the next framework for what I wanted to do. A few hours later, I get a call from Hunter and it all changed. I sent some company farewell texts just saying, ‘Pleasure working with you’ and some general ‘thanks.’ I got a text back (from Triple H) who was like, ‘Give me a minute to get out of a meeting.’ We had a brief conversation which was like, ‘Give us a little time, I’ll work out….we’ll be talking soon.’ It led to my return back to NXT.”

Watch this story: Former WWE Stars Who are Thriving in AEW

Joe has a new role at NXT

The two-time NXT champion made his return to the Golden Brand exactly two months after his release from the company, and it surprised all the fans out there.

Samoa Joe made his return during a heated backstage segment where William Regal was facing difficulty to break up the chaos between Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly. The ‘Samoan Submission Machine’ made a bold statement by putting Cole into the Coquina Clutch, making it clear that he means business this time.

Joe is currently acting as Regal’s enforcer, but his in-ring return seems inevitable. With potential opponents like Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, and Pete Dunne lined up, it is just a matter of time.

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