Entertainment
WWE’s Samoa Joe on Randy Orton dream match and leaving the business a better place
Joe wants to take on the Viper (Picture: WWE)
NXT Champion Samoa Joe is eyeing up a dream match with WWE legend Randy Orton.
The Samoan Submission Machine, who made his epic in-ring return at NXT TakeOver 36 last month and won the gold from Karrion Kross, is excited to be wrestling again and he admitted there are plenty of mouth-watering options for him when it comes to potential opponents.
He exclusively told Metro.co.uk: ‘That’s really what excites me at this point. There’s a lot of matches out there in the ether that maybe I could get to do.
‘I’d still love to go round with Randy Orton once, just ’cause I think he’s tremendous as a performer in what he’s able to do. I’d love to go with Brock again, that’s always great.
‘When I look at this crop, this murderer’s row of NXT stars in front of me, it’s hard not to want them too. It’s a target-rich environment, and I’m very happy to me in there!’
While Joe and Orton have shared the ring plenty of times over the years, they’re yet to have a one-on-one match together.
Does Orton have an RKO ready for the Samoan Submission Machine? (Picture: WWE)
Of course, while the new bouts waiting for Joe are a big motivation as he enters this phase of his career, his job in the scouting department is also a major factor.
A huge part of him accepting this new position alongside his own in-ring role came from his vast experience in the business, which is mirrored by the likes of Triple H and William Regal when it comes to those handling recruitment for the company.
‘I’m super excited about being a part of the scouting process. One of the biggest reasons why is because early on in my career, I was fortunate that I was afforded opportunities,’ he said.
‘Maybe I wasn’t ready at the time, but I also saw other people who weren’t afforded opportunities who probably were ready.
‘They weren’t probably represented the best at the tryouts, and really wasn’t much of their own fault sometimes. They want their guys!’
For Joe, he’s now in a place where he can pass on his own experience, including the mistakes he’s made or seen being made along the way – and there’s been a lot of them.
‘I think that’s one of the big benefits and why we have so many accomplished grapplers on our coaching roster. When you look at our coaching roster, you can say every great move, hold and moment in history represented in these man,’ he added.
More: US TV news
‘You can also see 20 million mistakes that they’ve made that you can learn from. [laughs] Let me be the first to tell you that!’
That’s not to disregard the positives, of which there are many when it comes to Joe stepping into such a significant role – and he’s inspired by the opportunity to help improve WWE’s own process to benefit them and the potential stars of the future.
‘Being a part of that process, being on the outside of it for so long, and seeing the holes and some of the issues with it,’ he pondered. ‘I like to come back on this end and rectify some of those things, and make it a much worthwhile process, both for WWE and for the talent that’s out there.’
*WWE NXT airs Tuesdays at 1am on BT Sport 1.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : WWE’s Samoa Joe admits wrestling return felt ‘a long way off’ during slow recovery from injury
