Going into today’s AEW event, many people had good reasons to dismiss the All Out 2023 card. However, there were shining moments throughout the night as MJF and Adam Cole retained their championships, Samoa Joe also had a strong performance against the AEW world champion, and the fight between Miro and Powerhouse Hobbs pumped the fans.
Joe and MJF’s fight, inspired by a reenactment of an actual incident, ended up being the night’s most surprising moment. In WWE NXT, Samoa Joe was an unstoppable champion, but that era has now come to a close. However, as the current ROH TV Champion, he is enjoying his time in AEW, and his recent onslaught on AEW World Champion MJF points to Joe being the next challenger for the title.
Samoa Joe recreates NXT moment with MJF
MJF never wrestled in WWE but briefly appeared as a security guard during NXT. At NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II, he was pushed into a wall while trying to cut in front of Samoa Joe during his entrance for the NXT Championship bout against Shinsuke Nakamura.
Anyone else catch @The_MJF's nod to his #WWENXT appearance with @SamoaJoe on last night's #AEWDynamite? pic.twitter.com/tWiW3GQAb4
— Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net (@Casshooole) August 13, 2020
This year, on August 13, when a member of Team MJF attempted to obstruct the AEW World Title contender on an episode of August’s AEW Dynamite, MJF reacted in a similar fashion.
Many fans shared even evidence on Twitter. Twenty days later, at AEW All Out, Joe and Maxwell found themselves in the same situation they had been in during NXT in 2016.
What a callback 😂😂 #AEWAllOut
Credit: @AEWGold pic.twitter.com/OcKwBZ2Zvq
— Wrestlelamia.co.uk (@wrestlelamia) September 4, 2023
After injuring his neck during the bout, MJF headed backstage for medical attention. Adam Cole led the squad to victory until MJF’s return. Following the match, Samoa Joe made an appearance and pushed MJF, recreating their 2016 Brooklyn NXT moment. Maxwell wasn’t going to let it slide easily. Management intervened after Joe applied a Guillotine Lock to MJF’s injured neck.
MJF & Samoa Joe are going head to head before Joe's #ROH World TV Title match!
Order #AEWAllOut on PPV right now!
🇺🇸 https://t.co/fDofZ563Cv
🔗 https://t.co/iawFge9Cal@The_MJF | @SamoaJoe pic.twitter.com/W4SCk5M4rD— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 4, 2023
Joe enjoyed a successful NXT run following the 2015 signing
Before coming to WWE in 2015, Samoa Joe enjoyed success in TNA and other wrestling companies. While he had success in NXT, he couldn’t replicate that success on the main roster and win a world title.
However, his run was enjoyable for fans and his rivals. Every time he stepped into the ring, regardless of how strong or big a celebrity his opponent was, everyone noticed.
Fans and critics alike enjoyed his run because he exerted significant dominance over his opponents whenever he entered the ring, regardless of their strength or fame. After last night’s events, he can now call himself both the ROH TV champion and the AEW world champion, which might engage Max in a fight against him.
Since joining NXT in 2016, Joe has portrayed a villainous role, choking and mocking his opponents with a sinister smirk. This persona is menacing to his opposition and enjoyable for Joe.
Will you tune in to watch how the 2016 guard deals with Joe’s Chokeslam in their next rivalry encounter at AEW All Out? Don’t forget to share your thoughts with us in the comment section.
