Samoa Joe Believes A Management War Within WWE Led To His Releases

Samoa Joe had a whirlwind 2021 as part of WWE. 

The Samoan Submission Machine began the year as a colour commentator on Monday Night Raw but he was released from the organisation following WrestleMania 37 before being rehired only hours later due to Triple H's unhappiness with his firing. Joe officially returned in June 2021, initially appearing on-screen and having a brief reign as NXT Champion before he moved behind the scenes in a coaching role. 

Joe was then let go again on January 5, 2022, as WWE looked to get rid of those perceived to be Triple H guys. 

Speaking about his two WWE releases on The Sessions with Renee Paquette, Joe revealed that the impression he was given is talent releases were used as pawns in a WWE management war. 

"That, initially, as I understand it, unconfirmed, there were issues between the two upper echelons of management and they were playing out their war with the careers and contracts of the people underneath them. After the initial one, I didn't have much of a chance to breathe because, essentially, I was hired back within hours. The second time, I just kind of chuckled as I realised it was very much the same situation," Joe began.

"At the same time, I wasn't bitter or mad. The truth of it is, and this is to give WWE some credence, is that I was expensive. I was expensive to keep around. If cutting my contract, if they say that saved the company money, trust me, I believe it did. I wasn't hot about that. It was just more the silliness of the situation, what they were doing, and the reasoning why they were doing it, which I can never officially confirm, but I've heard from enough people that I have a pretty good idea...including many of the people involved. After that, I think I spent a day p*ssed. More of the situation than the actual firing. Then, all these super awesome opportunities literally materialised."

Following his release, Samoa Joe signed with AEW/ROH, returning to Ring of Honor at Supercard of Honor in April 2022. Joe has since had one reign as AEW TNT Champion and he remains ROH World Television Champion. 

H/T to Fightful