Challenges Faced by Samoa Joe: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Samoa Joe faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Nuufolau Joel Seanoa, known as Samoa Joe, is a prominent American professional wrestler. Currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and a member of The Undisputed Kingdom, he is an AEW World Trios Champion. He gained significant recognition through his tenures in Ring of Honor (ROH), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), and WWE, showcasing his skills across various major wrestling promotions. Joe is celebrated for his intense wrestling style, technical prowess, and impactful presence in the ring.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

December 2004: Loss to Austin Aries Ends Record Reign

In December 2004, Samoa Joe's 645-day reign as ROH World Champion ended after he lost to Austin Aries at Final Battle.

August 2005: Loses ROH Pure Championship to Nigel McGuinness

In August 2005, Samoa Joe lost the ROH Pure Championship to Nigel McGuinness at "Dragon Gate Invasion".

March 2006: Loses X Division Championship

In March 2006, Samoa Joe lost the X Division Championship to Daniels in an Ultimate X match at Destination X, preserving Joe's undefeated streak due to the no pinfall or submission stipulation.

May 2006: Absent Due to Injury

In late May 2006, Samoa Joe was absent for two weeks while rehabilitating a major tear to his posterior cruciate ligament.

June 2006: Loses X Division Championship

In June 2006, Samoa Joe defeated Scott Steiner at Slammiversary. On June 19, Joe defended the X Division Championship against Senshi and Sonjay Dutt in a triple threat match; after Steiner interfered and gave Joe a chair shot, Senshi pinned Dutt to win the Championship, ending Joe's second reign.

November 2006: Loses to Kurt Angle, Undefeated Streak Ends

In November 2006, Samoa Joe lost to Kurt Angle at Genesis after submitting to Angle's ankle lock. This ended his 18-month undefeated streak.

December 2006: Cage Match Ends in Time Limit Draw

In December 2006, Samoa Joe had a cage match against champion Bryan Danielson for the ROH World Championship, which ended in a time limit draw after 60 minutes.

January 2007: Loses Iron Man Match to Angle

In January 2007, Samoa Joe lost to Kurt Angle in a 30-minute Iron Man match at Final Resolution.

August 2007: Loses X Division and Tag Titles

In August 2007, at Hard Justice, Samoa Joe put up the X Division Championship and the TNA World Tag Team Championship against Kurt Angle's TNA World Heavyweight Championship and IWGP Heavyweight Championship, losing the match (and both his titles) thanks to interference by Karen Angle.

September 2007: Loss to Christian Cage

In September 2007, Samoa Joe lost to Christian Cage at No Surrender.

January 2008: Tag Team Match Loss

In January 2008, after complaining about not having a match, Jim Cornette scheduled Samoa Joe and Kevin Nash against TNA World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Tomko. Nash refused to tag in, leading to Styles and Tomko defeating Joe at Final Resolution.

October 2008: Loss to Sting at Bound for Glory IV

In October 2008 at Bound for Glory IV, Samoa Joe lost to Sting, ending his reign as TNA World Heavyweight Champion after 182 days. During the match, Joe suffered an injury while executing a dropkick, landing back-first on cement stairs. This injury was noted to have negatively impacted his performance and physical condition going forward.

November 2008: Turning Point Loss

In November 2008, at Turning Point, Kevin Nash defeated Samoa Joe by cheating.

December 2008: Final Resolution Loss & Injury Angle

In December 2008, at Final Resolution, the Front Line lost to the Main Event Mafia in an eight-man tag team match. On the December 18 episode of Impact, Joe and Styles defeated Sting and Nash. Following the match, Joe was attacked by the Main Event Mafia and was billed as injured for the remainder of the year.

March 2009: Disqualification Loss to Scott Steiner

In March 2009, at Destination X, Samoa Joe lost to Scott Steiner by disqualification after throwing the referee out of the ring.

November 2009: Unsuccessful TNA World Heavyweight Championship Challenge

In November 2009, at Turning Point, Samoa Joe unsuccessfully challenged TNA World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles in a three-way match that also involved Christopher Daniels.

October 2010: Bound for Glory Handicap Match Loss

In October 2010, at Bound for Glory, Samoa Joe and Jeff Jarrett faced Nash, Sting, and D'Angelo Dinero in a handicap match and lost. Hogan's injury was revealed as a ruse.

November 2010: Turning Point Loss to Jarrett

In November 2010, at Turning Point, Jeff Jarrett defeated Samoa Joe after choking him out with a baton, following interference from Immortal.

June 2011: Slammiversary Loss to Crimson

In June 2011, at Slammiversary IX, Samoa Joe lost to Crimson, but shook his hand afterwards.

September 2011: No Surrender Loss to Morgan

In September 2011, at No Surrender, Samoa Joe lost to Matt Morgan.

January 2012: Unsuccessful Tag Title Challenge

In January 2012, at Genesis, Samoa Joe and Magnus unsuccessfully challenged Crimson and Matt Morgan for the TNA World Tag Team Championship.

May 2012: Tag Team Title Loss

In May 2012, at Sacrifice, Samoa Joe and Magnus lost the TNA World Tag Team Championship to Christopher Daniels and Kazarian.

September 2012: Bound for Glory Series Elimination

In September 2012, at No Surrender, Samoa Joe was eliminated from the 2012 Bound for Glory Series after losing to Jeff Hardy.

December 6, 2012: Television Title Loss

On December 6, 2012, Samoa Joe lost the TNA Television Championship to Devon after DOC of Aces & Eights hit him with a ball-peen hammer on Impact Wrestling.

January 2013: Genesis Loss to Mr. Anderson

In January 2013, at Genesis, Samoa Joe lost to Aces & Eights member Mr. Anderson in a singles match following interference from Mike Knox.

November 2013: TNA World Heavyweight Championship Tournament

In November 2013, Samoa Joe was announced as an entrant in an eight-man tournament for the vacant TNA World Heavyweight Championship. At Turning Point later that month, Magnus defeated Joe in a falls count anywhere match, eliminating him from the tournament.

August 2014: Successful Title Defense and Vacating the TNA X Division Championship

At Hardcore Justice in August 2014, Samoa Joe successfully defended the X Division Championship against Low Ki. However, he vacated the title the following month due to an injury.

December 2015: NXT Championship Challenge at TakeOver: London

In December 2015, at NXT TakeOver: London, Samoa Joe unsuccessfully challenged Finn Bálor for the NXT Championship.

December 3, 2016: Loss of NXT Championship

On December 3, 2016, in Osaka, Japan, Samoa Joe lost the NXT Championship back to Shinsuke Nakamura, ending his second reign at 14 days.

January 2018: Foot Injury

In January 2018, Samoa Joe suffered a tear to the plantar fascia in his right foot during a match with Titus O'Neil.

April 2018: Return from Injury and Intercontinental Championship Challenge

In April 2018, Samoa Joe returned from injury following WrestleMania 34. At the Greatest Royal Rumble that month, he unsuccessfully challenged Seth Rollins for the Intercontinental Championship.

May 2018: Loss to Roman Reigns at Backlash

In May 2018, Samoa Joe lost to Roman Reigns at Backlash.

June 2018: Money in the Bank Ladder Match

In June 2018, at Money in the Bank, Samoa Joe competed in the titular Money in the Bank ladder match, which was won by Braun Strowman.

August 2018: WWE Championship Challenge at SummerSlam

In August 2018, Samoa Joe unsuccessfully challenged WWE Champion AJ Styles at SummerSlam.

September 2018: WWE Championship Challenge at Hell in a Cell

In September 2018, Samoa Joe unsuccessfully challenged WWE Champion AJ Styles at Hell in a Cell.

October 2018: WWE Championship Challenge at Super Show-Down

In October 2018, Samoa Joe unsuccessfully challenged WWE Champion AJ Styles at Super Show-Down.

November 2018: WWE Championship Challenge at Crown Jewel

In November 2018, Samoa Joe unsuccessfully challenged WWE Champion AJ Styles at Crown Jewel. At Survivor Series later that month, Joe teamed with Jeff Hardy, The Miz, Rey Mysterio, and Shane McMahon (as "Team SmackDown") in a loss to Bobby Lashley, Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre, and Finn Bálor (as "Team Raw").

February 2019: WWE Championship Challenge at Elimination Chamber

In February 2019, Samoa Joe unsuccessfully challenged Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship in an Elimination Chamber match.

May 2019: Loss of United States Championship

In May 2019, Samoa Joe lost the WWE United States Championship to Rey Mysterio at Money in the Bank.

July 2019: WWE Championship Match at Extreme Rules and Smackville

In July 2019, Samoa Joe attacked WWE Champion Kofi Kingston, leading to a title match at Extreme Rules that was won by Kingston. At the Smackville event later that month, Joe unsuccessfully challenged Kingston for the title in a triple threat match also involving Dolph Ziggler.