Samoa Joe's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Samoa Joe. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Nuufolau Joel Seanoa, famously known as Samoa Joe, is a prominent American professional wrestler currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). As the leader of the Opps, he's a two-time AEW World Champion and one-time AEW World Trios Champion. His wrestling career is marked by successful stints in various promotions, including Ring of Honor (ROH), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), and WWE, solidifying his reputation as a respected and accomplished figure in professional wrestling.

Sections (5)

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

2000: Named Southern California's Rookie of the Year

In 2000, Joe was named Southern California's Rookie of the Year.

March 2001: Wins UPW Heavyweight Championship

In March 2001, Joe defeated Christopher Daniels to win the UPW Heavyweight Championship.

April 2001: Wins UPW No Holds Barred Championship

In April 2001, Samoa Joe held the UPW No Holds Barred Championship.

March 2003: Wins ROH Championship

In March 2003, Joe won the ROH World Championship and held it for a record 21 months.

2004: Wins IWA Mid-South's Revolution Strong Style Tournament

In 2004, Samoa Joe won IWA Mid-South's Revolution Strong Style Tournament.

May 2005: Becomes ROH Pure Champion

In May 2005, Samoa Joe became the ROH Pure Champion by defeating Jay Lethal.

August 2005: Wins TNA Super X Cup

In August 2005, Samoa Joe won the 2005 TNA Super X Cup Tournament, defeating A.J. Styles in the finals after interference from Christopher Daniels.

October 2005: Faces Kenta Kobashi in ROH

In October 2005, Samoa Joe faced Kenta Kobashi in a highly acclaimed singles match during Kobashi's trip to the United States for Ring of Honor shows.

December 2005: Defeated Styles to win the X Division Championship

In December 2005, Samoa Joe defeated Styles at Turning Point to become the X Division Champion.

January 2006: Defended the X Division Championship against Daniels

In January 2006, Samoa Joe defended his X Division Championship against Christopher Daniels at Final Resolution, winning via technical knockout.

February 2006: Retained the title against Daniels and Styles

In February 2006, at Against All Odds, Samoa Joe successfully defended the X Division Championship against Christopher Daniels and AJ Styles in a rematch from Unbreakable.

April 13, 2006: Won the X Division Championship for a second time

On April 13, 2006, Samoa Joe defeated Christopher Daniels on Impact to regain the X Division Championship.

September 2006: Defeated Jeff Jarrett in a lumberjack match

In September 2006, at No Surrender, Samoa Joe defeated Jeff Jarrett in a non-title "fan's revenge lumberjack match" and took Jarrett's title belt after the match.

December 2006: Defeated Kurt Angle by submission

In December 2006, at Turning Point, Samoa Joe defeated Kurt Angle by submission.

2006: Wins multiple championships and tournament

In 2006, Samoa Joe won the Twin Wrestling Entertainment Championship, the Ballpark Brawl Natural Heavyweight Championship, and the Extreme Wrestling Federation's Xtreme 8 Tournament.

February 2007: Won a Gauntlet for the Gold match

In February 2007, Samoa Joe won a Gauntlet for the Gold match to become the number one contender for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

November 2007: Defeated Robert Roode and won the TNA Turkey Bowl

In November 2007, Samoa Joe defeated Robert Roode at Genesis. That same month, Joe also won the inaugural TNA Turkey Bowl.

April 2008: Won TNA World Championship

In April 2008, at Lockdown, Samoa Joe defeated Kurt Angle in a title versus career match to win his first and only TNA World Championship, becoming the third TNA Triple Crown Champion.

May 2008: Successfully defended the TNA World Championship

In May 2008, at Sacrifice, Samoa Joe successfully defended his TNA World Championship against Kaz and Scott Steiner in a three way match.

August 2008: Retained his title against Booker T in a steel cage weapons match

In August 2008, at Hard Justice, Samoa Joe defeated Booker T in a steel cage weapons match to retain his title as TNA World Champion.

September 2008: Defeated Cage and Angle to retain his title

In September 2008, at No Surrender, Samoa Joe defeated Christian Cage and Kurt Angle in a three way match to retain his TNA World Championship.

April 2009: Teamed to defeat the Main Event Mafia

In April 2009, at Lockdown, Samoa Joe teamed with Styles, Daniels, and Jarrett to defeat the Main Event Mafia in a Lethal Lockdown match.

May 2009: Defeated Kevin Nash

In May 2009, at Sacrifice, Samoa Joe defeated Main Event Mafia member Kevin Nash.

August 2009: Won the X Division Championship for the fourth time

In August 2009, at Hard Justice, Samoa Joe defeated Homicide to win the X Division Championship for the fourth time.

December 2009: Won "Feast or Fired" briefcase

In December 2009, at Final Resolution, Samoa Joe took part in the "Feast or Fired" match, winning the briefcase containing a title shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

November 2011: Maximum Impact Tournament Win

In November 2011, Samoa Joe won the Maximum Impact Tournament, earning a title shot against Bobby Roode.

July 22, 2012: GHC Tag Team Championship Win

On July 22, 2012, Samoa Joe returned to Pro Wrestling Noah, teaming with Magnus to defeat Special Assault Team (Akitoshi Saito and Jun Akiyama) and win the GHC Tag Team Championship in Tokyo.

September 27, 2012: TNA Television Championship Win

On September 27, 2012, Samoa Joe defeated Mr. Anderson on Impact Wrestling to win the vacant TNA Television Championship, becoming the third TNA Grand Slam Champion.

November 2012: Television Championship Defense

In November 2012, at Turning Point, Samoa Joe successfully defended the TNA Television Championship against Magnus in a no disqualification match.

June 2014: TNA X Division Championship Win

In June 2014, Samoa Joe defeated Low Ki and Sanada in the finals of a tournament to win the TNA X Division Championship for a fifth and final time.

August 2014: X Division Championship Defense

In August 2014, Samoa Joe successfully defended the X Division Championship against Low Ki at Hardcore Justice.

October 2015: Wins Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic

In October 2015, Samoa Joe, with NXT Champion Finn Bálor as his partner, won the inaugural Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament, defeating Baron Corbin and Rhyno in the finals at NXT TakeOver: Respect.

April 2016: Wins NXT Championship

In April 2016 at a NXT live event in Lowell, Massachusetts, Samoa Joe finally defeated Finn Bálor to win the NXT Championship.

June 2016: Defeats Finn Balor at NXT TakeOver: The End

In June 2016 at NXT TakeOver: The End, Samoa Joe defeated Finn Bálor in a steel cage match in his first title defense, marking the end of their feud.

March 5, 2019: Wins WWE United States Championship

On March 5, 2019, Samoa Joe defeated R-Truth, Rey Mysterio, and Andrade in a fatal four way match to win the WWE United States Championship on SmackDown Live.

Loading Video...

April 2019: Successfully defends WWE United States Championship at WrestleMania 35

In April 2019, Samoa Joe successfully defended the WWE United States Championship against Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 35 in a singles match lasting under one minute.

January 2022: Named to ROH Hall of Fame

In January 2022, Samoa Joe was named part of the inaugural class of the ROH Hall of Fame.

July 2022: Successfully defends ROH World Television Championship

In July 2022, Samoa Joe successfully defended the ROH World Television Championship against Jay Lethal at Death Before Dishonor.

November 2022: Wins AEW TNT Championship

In November 2022, Samoa Joe defeated Wardlow and Hobbs at Full Gear to win the TNT Championship, becoming a double champion.

November 30, 2022: First TNT Championship defense

On November 30, 2022, on the episode of Dynamite, Samoa Joe made his first successful TNT Championship defense against AR Fox.

Loading Video...

December 2022: Defends ROH World Television Championship at Final Battle

In December 2022, at the ROH pay-per-view Final Battle, Samoa Joe successfully defended the ROH World Television Championship against Juice Robinson.

November 2023: Teamed with MJF at Full Gear

In November 2023 at Full Gear, Samoa Joe, substituting for the injured Adam Cole, teamed with MJF to successfully defend the ROH World Tag Team Championship against the Gunns.

December 2023: Won the AEW World Championship

In December 2023 at Worlds End, Samoa Joe cleanly defeated MJF by technical submission using the Coquina Clutch to win the AEW World Championship.

January 2024: First AEW Title Defence

In January 2024, Samoa Joe defeated Hook in his first AEW title defense.

March 2024: AEW Title Defence at Revolution

In March 2024 at Revolution, Samoa Joe successfully defended his AEW title against "Hangman" Adam Page and Swerve Strickland in a three-way match, submitting Page using the Coquina Clutch.

April 2025: Won AEW World Trios Championship

In April 2025, at Dynamite: Spring BreakThru, Samoa Joe, Shibata, and Powerhouse Hobbs (substituting for an injured Hook) defeated the Death Riders for the AEW World Trios Championship, and Joe inducted Hobbs as a member of The Opps.

November 22, 2025: Won AEW World Championship for second time

On November 22, 2025, at Full Gear, Samoa Joe defeated Adam Page in a steel cage match with the assistance of Hook, winning the AEW World Championship for a second time.