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{{US state navigation box
{{Infobox Wrestler
| name = [[North Dakota]] <br /> <small>Peace Garden State / The Roughrider State / The Flickertail State <br /> Norse Dakota</small>
|name=Samoa Joe
| type = [[U.S. state|State]]
|image=SamoaJoe0407.jpg
| capital = [[Bismarck, North Dakota|Bismarck]]
|caption=Samoa Joe in April 2007.
| color = #ccccff
|names=Joe Seanoa<br />King Joe<br />'''Samoa Joe'''<br />Samoan Joe<ref>Wrestling Observer Live radio, broadcast February 25, 2007</ref>
| flag_image = Flag of North Dakota.svg
|height={{height|ft=6|in=2}}<ref name="TNAprofile">{{cite web|url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/content/view/238/37/|title=Stats from Joe's TNA profile|accessdate=2008-09-16|publisher=TNA Wrestling.com}}</ref>
| flag_caption = Flag of North Dakota
|weight={{convert|290|lb|kg|abbr=on|lk=on}}<ref name="TNAprofile"/>
| template_name = North Dakota
|birth_date={{birth date and age|mf=yes|1979|3|17}}
<includeonly>| collapse_state = {{{1|autocollapse}}}</includeonly><noinclude>| collapse_state = expanded</noinclude>
|birth_place=[[Orange County, California]], [[United States]]<ref name="Milner">{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/samoa_joe.html|title=Samoa Joe|author=Milner, J.|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|accessdate=2007-04-11|date=2006-07-09}}</ref>
|death_place=
|resides=[[Los Angeles, California]], [[United States]]<ref name="TNAprofile"/>
|billed='''[[American Samoa]]'''<br />[[Huntington Beach, California]]<br />[[Samoa|The Isle of Samoa]]
|trainer=[[Cincinnati Red]]<br />John Delayo<br />[[Yoshiaki Fujiwara]]<br />Johnny Hemp
|debut=[[September 1999]]
|retired=
|website=
|}}


'''Nuufolau Joel Seanoa''' <ref>http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-olydowney14-2008aug14,0,6012044.story</ref> <ref>http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/product.asp?sku=D46877</ref>(born March 17, 1979)<ref name="Milner"/> is an [[United States|American]] [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]], better known by his [[ring name]], '''Samoa Joe''', currently under contract with [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]].
| group1 = [[:Category:North Dakota|Topics]]
| body1 = [[Climate of North Dakota|Climate]]{{·}} [[List of colleges and universities in North Dakota|Colleges and universities]]{{·}} [[Cuisine of North Dakota|Cuisine]]{{·}} [[Geography of North Dakota|Geography]]{{·}} [[List of Governors of North Dakota|Governors]]{{·}} [[History of North Dakota|History]]{{·}} [[Music of North Dakota|Music]]{{·}} [[List of people from North Dakota|People]]{{·}} [[Politics of North Dakota|Politics]] {{·}} [[:Category:Visitor attractions in North Dakota|Visitor Attractions]]


Before debuting in TNA in June 2005, Seanoa competed in the [[Ring of Honor]] (ROH) [[independent circuit|independent]] [[Professional wrestling promotion|promotion]], where he held the [[ROH World Championship]] for a record 21 months. Upon joining TNA, Seanoa embarked upon an eighteen month-long undefeated streak in which he never lost a match by [[Pin (professional wrestling)|pinfall]] or [[Submission (combat sport)|submission]]. That streak came to an end at the [[TNA Genesis|Genesis]] event in [[TNA Genesis#2006|2006]], when he tapped out to [[Kurt Angle]]'s [[Professional wrestling holds#Ankle lock|ankle lock submission hold]].
| group2 = [[Geography of North Dakota|Regions]]
| body2 = [[Badlands]]{{·}} [[Coteau du Missouri]]{{·}} [[Drift Prairie]]{{·}} [[Red River Valley]]{{·}} [[Turtle Mountain (plateau)|Turtle Mountains]]


Throughout his career, Seanoa has won numerous championships, either on the independent circuit or on the national scene. During his time in ROH, not only did Seanoa win the ROH World Championship but he also won the [[ROH Pure Championship]]. His efforts in TNA not only have made him a TNA World Heavyweight Champion but also a three-time [[TNA X Division Championship|TNA X Division Champion]] and a one-time [[TNA World Tag Team Championship|TNA World Tag Team Champion]]. He is also the [[TNA 2005 Super X Cup Tournament|2005 Super X Cup Tournament winner]], the [[King of the Mountain match#Match history|2008 King of the Mountain]] (The only one to retain the World Heavyweight Championship in the match), and a one-time [[Triple Crown Championship#List of TNA Triple Crown winners|TNA Triple Crown Champion]].
| group3 = [[List of cities in North Dakota|Larger cities<br />pop. over 5,000]]
| body3 = [[Bismarck, North Dakota|Bismarck]]{{·}} [[Devils Lake, North Dakota|Devils Lake]]{{·}} [[Dickinson, North Dakota|Dickinson]]{{·}} [[Fargo, North Dakota|Fargo]]{{·}} [[Grand Forks, North Dakota|Grand Forks]]{{·}} [[Jamestown, North Dakota|Jamestown]]{{·}} [[Mandan, North Dakota|Mandan]]{{·}} [[Minot, North Dakota|Minot]]{{·}} [[Valley City, North Dakota|Valley City]]{{·}} [[Wahpeton, North Dakota|Wahpeton]]{{·}} [[West Fargo, North Dakota|West Fargo]]{{·}} [[Williston, North Dakota|Williston]]


==Early life==
| group4 = [[List of cities in North Dakota|Smaller cities<br />pop. 1,000 - 5,000]]
Seanoa's family founded a [[Music of Polynesia|Polynesian dance troupe]] in the [[United States]] called ''Tiare Productions''. Joe Seanoa made his on stage debut at the [[1984 Summer Olympics]] opening at the age of five. He became a California State Junior Judo Champion and was an all league football player while attending Ocean View High School.<ref name=unstop>{{cite video|url=http://store.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/product_detail.asp?CS=dns&RowID=236|title=Unstoppable: the Best of Samoa Joe|publisher=TNA Home Video|year=2006}}</ref> Before becoming a wrestler, Seanoa worked as a [[mortgage broker]].<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/fullnews.php?home=203 |title=An Exclusive Interview With Samoa Joe |accessdate=2007-04-23 |author=Banks, Bill|date=2005-09-13|publisher=TNAwrestilng.com}}</ref>
| body4 = [[Beach, North Dakota|Beach]]{{·}} [[Beulah, North Dakota|Beulah]]{{·}} [[Bottineau, North Dakota|Bottineau]]{{·}} [[Bowman, North Dakota|Bowman]]{{·}} [[Burlington, North Dakota|Burlington]]{{·}} [[Cando, North Dakota|Cando]]{{·}} [[Carrington, North Dakota|Carrington]]{{·}} [[Casselton, North Dakota|Casselton]]{{·}} [[Cavalier, North Dakota|Cavalier]]{{·}} [[Cooperstown, North Dakota|Cooperstown]]{{·}} [[Crosby, North Dakota|Crosby]]{{·}} [[Ellendale, North Dakota|Ellendale]]{{·}} [[Garrison, North Dakota|Garrison]]{{·}} [[Grafton, North Dakota|Grafton]]{{·}} [[Hankinson, North Dakota|Hankinson]]{{·}} [[Harvey, North Dakota|Harvey]]{{·}} [[Hazen, North Dakota|Hazen]]{{·}} [[Hettinger, North Dakota|Hettinger]]{{·}} [[Hillsboro, North Dakota|Hillsboro]]{{·}} [[Kenmare, North Dakota|Kenmare]]{{·}} [[Langdon, North Dakota|Langdon]]{{·}} [[Larimore, North Dakota|Larimore]]{{·}} [[Lincoln, North Dakota|Lincoln]]{{·}} [[Linton, North Dakota|Linton]]{{·}} [[Lisbon, North Dakota|Lisbon]]{{·}} [[Mayville, North Dakota|Mayville]]{{·}} [[New Rockford, North Dakota|New Rockford]]{{·}} [[New Town, North Dakota|New Town]]{{·}} [[Oakes, North Dakota|Oakes]]{{·}} [[Park River, North Dakota|Park River]]{{·}} [[Rolla, North Dakota|Rolla]]{{·}} [[Rugby, North Dakota|Rugby]]{{·}} [[Stanley, North Dakota|Stanley]]{{·}} [[Thompson, North Dakota|Thompson]]{{·}} [[Tioga, North Dakota|Tioga]]{{·}} [[Velva, North Dakota|Velva]]{{·}} [[Walhalla, North Dakota|Walhalla]]{{·}} [[Washburn, North Dakota|Washburn]]{{·}} [[Watford City, North Dakota|Watford City]]{{·}} [[Wishek, North Dakota|Wishek]]


==Professional wrestling career==
| group5 = [[List of counties in North Dakota|Counties]]
Samoa Joe was the first graduate of the UIWA West Coast Dojo, training under [[Cincinnati Red]], along with Johnny Hemp and, occasionally, John Delayo. He debuted in December 1999 in a match against "Uncle" Jess Hansen just three months after beginning training. Samoa Joe quickly signed with former [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] developmental affiliate [[Ultimate Pro Wrestling]] (UPW), where he [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feuded]] with his friend [[John Cena]] and made an appearance on ''[[WWE Jakked/Metal|WWF Jakked]]'' against [[Mr. Águila|Essa Rios]],<ref> Hamilton, Ian. ''Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens To An Industry Without Competition''. Lulu Press, 2006. (pg. 67) ISBN 1-4116-1210-8 </ref> and he eventually captured the UPW Heavyweight Championship.<ref name="Titles">{{cite book | author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will | title=Wrestling Title Histories | publisher=Archeus Communications | year=4th Edition 2006 | id=ISBN 0-9698161-5-4 }}</ref> He later became the longest reigning UPW Heavyweight Champion ever.
| body5 = [[Adams County, North Dakota|Adams]]{{·}} [[Barnes County, North Dakota|Barnes]]{{·}} [[Benson County, North Dakota|Benson]]{{·}} [[Billings County, North Dakota|Billings]]{{·}} [[Bottineau County, North Dakota|Bottineau]]{{·}} [[Bowman County, North Dakota|Bowman]]{{·}} [[Burke County, North Dakota|Burke]]{{·}} [[Burleigh County, North Dakota|Burleigh]]{{·}} [[Cass County, North Dakota|Cass]]{{·}} [[Cavalier County, North Dakota|Cavalier]]{{·}} [[Dickey County, North Dakota|Dickey]]{{·}} [[Divide County, North Dakota|Divide]]{{·}} [[Dunn County, North Dakota|Dunn]]{{·}} [[Eddy County, North Dakota|Eddy]]{{·}} [[Emmons County, North Dakota|Emmons]]{{·}} [[Foster County, North Dakota|Foster]]{{·}} [[Golden Valley County, North Dakota|Golden Valley]]{{·}} [[Grand Forks County, North Dakota|Grand Forks]]{{·}} [[Grant County, North Dakota|Grant]]{{·}} [[Griggs County, North Dakota|Griggs]]{{·}} [[Hettinger County, North Dakota|Hettinger]]{{·}} [[Kidder County, North Dakota|Kidder]]{{·}} [[LaMoure County, North Dakota|LaMoure]]{{·}} [[Logan County, North Dakota|Logan]]{{·}} [[McHenry County, North Dakota|McHenry]]{{·}} [[McIntosh County, North Dakota|McIntosh]]{{·}} [[McKenzie County, North Dakota|McKenzie]]{{·}} [[McLean County, North Dakota|McLean]]{{·}} [[Mercer County, North Dakota|Mercer]]{{·}} [[Morton County, North Dakota|Morton]]{{·}} [[Mountrail County, North Dakota|Mountrail]]{{·}} [[Nelson County, North Dakota|Nelson]]{{·}} [[Oliver County, North Dakota|Oliver]]{{·}} [[Pembina County, North Dakota|Pembina]]{{·}} [[Pierce County, North Dakota|Pierce]]{{·}} [[Ramsey County, North Dakota|Ramsey]]{{·}} [[Ransom County, North Dakota|Ransom]]{{·}} [[Renville County, North Dakota|Renville]]{{·}} [[Richland County, North Dakota|Richland]]{{·}} [[Rolette County, North Dakota|Rolette]]{{·}} [[Sargent County, North Dakota|Sargent]]{{·}} [[Sheridan County, North Dakota|Sheridan]]{{·}} [[Sioux County, North Dakota|Sioux]]{{·}} [[Slope County, North Dakota|Slope]]{{·}} [[Stark County, North Dakota|Stark]]{{·}} [[Steele County, North Dakota|Steele]]{{·}} [[Stutsman County, North Dakota|Stutsman]]{{·}} [[Towner County, North Dakota|Towner]]{{·}} [[Traill County, North Dakota|Traill]]{{·}} [[Walsh County, North Dakota|Walsh]]{{·}} [[Ward County, North Dakota|Ward]]{{·}} [[Wells County, North Dakota|Wells]]{{·}} [[Williams County, North Dakota|Williams]]


===Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE (2001–2002)===
}}<noinclude>
In June 2001, Samoa Joe made his way to [[Professional wrestling in Japan|Japan]], wrestling for [[Shinya Hashimoto]]'s [[Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE|ZERO ONE]] promotion, fighting in its Shingeki series of [[pay per view]]s,<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.purolove.com/zero1max/results/results01.php | title = Zero One 2001 show Results | author = purolove.com | quote = (translated from German) ZERO-ONE "SHINGEKI":Samoa Joe & Keiji Sakoda defeated Yuki Ishikawa & Katsumi Usuda (16:48)}}</ref> as well as the annual Burning Heart tournaments.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.purolove.com/zero1max/results/01firefestival.php | title = Zero One Fire Festival Results (2001)| author = purolove.com | quote = (translated from German) Kohei Sato [2] defeated Samoa Joe [0] (8:25) with a Cross Armbreaker / Samoa Joe [2] defeated George Takano [1] (5:24) with a Lariat. / Samoa Joe [4] defeated Masato Tanaka [3] (8:00) with the Emerald Frosion }}</ref> During this time, Samoa Joe also began wrestling for southern California promotion [[Pro Wrestling Guerrilla]], where he had an on-screen rivalry with [[Super Dragon]].
{{U.S. state templates}}
[[Category:United States state templates|{{PAGENAME}}]]


In his debut match at the Yokohoma Red Brickhouse, Samoa Joe teamed with [[Yoshihiro Takayama]] to take on the team of [[Mitsuharu Misawa]] and [[Takeshi Morishima]]. Samoa Joe captured the win for his team after pinning Misawa with an [[Powerslam#Emerald Flowsion|Island Driver]], one of his [[List of professional wrestling slang#F|finishing maneuvers]]. Two days later, on October 27, Samoa Joe again faced Misawa, this time for the GHC title in a one-on-one match at the Budokan Hall. Both competitors had exchanged and overcame their respective signature moves throughout the match but it was Misawa who won the pinfall after striking the back of Joe's head with his elbow thus marking his sixth successful title defense. Samoa Joe continued to work for the promotion throughout 2002, participating in a number of their biggest shows and tournaments. After forming a team with [[Keiji Sakoda]], they became the first-ever holders of the [[NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship]], thought their reign is no longer officially recognized by the promotion.<ref name=ZERO>{{cite web | title=ZERO-1 MAX Intercontinental Tag Team Championship history | url=http://www.zerooneusa.com/title_ictag.shtml}}</ref><ref name=ZEROUN>{{citeweb|url=http://wrestling-titles.com/japan/zero-one/nnwa-ic-t.html|accessdate=2008-07-04|title = N.W.A. Intercontinental Tag Team Title|publisher=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref> He worked as both Samoa Joe and, later, King Joe, but ultimately chose to leave the promotion when he was asked to take on a more [[List of professional wrestling slang#G|gimmicky character]]. While in Japan, Samoa Joe trained extensively in Japan at the Fujiwara Gumi, under the guidance of submission wrestling master Yoshiaki Fujiwara.{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
[[ar:قالب:داكوتا الشمالية]]

[[ro:Format:North Dakota stat SUA]]
===Ring of Honor (2002–2007)===
</noinclude>
Back in the United States, Samoa Joe joined the ranks of the East Coast-based [[Ring of Honor]] promotion in 2002. He made his debut at "Glory by Honor" as [[Christopher Daniels]]' "hired assassin", brought in to take out Daniels' chief enemy, [[Brandon Silvestry|Low Ki]].<ref name=rohpast/> Originally booked for just the one match against Low Ki (due to the cost of flying him from California to Pennsylvania, which ROH had to pay), Samoa Joe impressed fans with his extremely stiff and hard-hitting style that resembled an [[mixed martial arts]] fighter more than a wrestler, which led to ROH booking him full time.<ref name="JoeShootInterview">{{cite video|url=http://www.rohwrestling.com/shoponline.asp?point=moreinfo&catid=200&id=685|title=Straight Shootin' with Samoa Joe|publisher=[[Ring of Honor]]|medium=DVD|year=2004}}</ref>

Samoa Joe quickly rose through the ranks and became [[ROH World Championship|ROH Champion]], defeating [[John Jirus|Xavier]] for the belt in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 22, 2003, which soon became the ROH World Championship on May 17, 2003 after defeating [[The Zebra Kid]] at "Frontiers of Honor" in [[London]], [[England]].<ref name=ROH>{{citeweb|url=http://www.rohwrestling.com/titlehistory/|accessdate=2008-07-05|title=Ring of Honor official title histories|publisher=ROH}}</ref><ref name="RoHTitle">{{cite web| url = http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/roh/roh-h.html | title = Ring of Honor Heavyweight Title History | author = wrestling-titles.com}}</ref> He held that title for twenty one months before losing it to [[Austin Aries]] at "Final Battle 2004" on December 26, 2004.<ref name="RoHTitle"/> With his ROH title reign, Samoa Joe also established himself as the face of the company and a perennial main-eventer in North America. He elevated the title from a mid-card attraction, secondary to established independent stars like Low Ki, Daniels, and [[A.J. Styles]], to the ultimate prize in [[Ring of Honor]].{{Fact|date=September 2008}} During this time, he had a trilogy of title defenses against [[CM Punk]] (the second match earning "Five Stars" from [[Dave Meltzer]]'s [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]], the first American match in seven years to do so).<ref name=rohpast/> Soon after losing the ROH World Championship to [[Austin Aries]], Samoa Joe became the promotion's fifth [[ROH Pure Championship|Pure Champion]], defeating his on-screen protegé [[Jay Lethal]] for the belt on May 7, 2005 at "Manhattan Mayhem" in New York City.<ref name=ROH/><ref name="RoHpure">{{cite web| url = http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/roh/roh-p.html | title = Ring of Honor Pure Title History | author = wrestling-titles.com}}</ref> He held the title for over three months before losing it to [[Nigel McGuiness]] on August 27 at "Dragon Gate Invasion".<ref name="RoHpure"/>

In October 2005, when Japanese heavyweight superstar [[Kenta Kobashi]] made a "once-in-a-lifetime" trip to the United States, he was signed to two Ring of Honor shows. ROH officials selected Samoa Joe, ROH's top wrestler, to face him in a singles match on the first night and a tag match on the second.<ref name=rohpast/><ref>{{cite news | last=Randazzo | first=Anthony | title=ROH in Manhattan: Samoa Joe vs. Kenta Kobashi in match of year candidate | date=October 1, 2005 | publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch | url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_15014.shtml}}</ref> The first show was in New York City at the [[New Yorker Hotel]]. Joe proved to be a formidable opponent for Kobashi, and, after a back and forth match, which Dave Meltzer again gave "Five Stars" and the scripted match went on to win the Wrestling Observer Newsletter award for "Match of the Year". In 2006, Samoa Joe was one of the principal wrestlers representing Ring of Honor in their war against rival Philadelphia promotion [[Combat Zone Wrestling]]. The war culminated in a five-on-five Cage of Death match at "Death before Dishonor IV". Samoa Joe helped ROH dominate in the match, until, after picking up CZW wrestler [[Chris Hero]] for one of his [[List of professional wrestling slang#F|finishers]], the [[Professional wrestling throws#Muscle Buster|Muscle Buster]], he was attacked by fellow ROH wrestler [[Bryan Danielson]]. Danielson repeatedly hit his injured knee with a steel chair, forcing him to quit the match. Samoa Joe was later replaced in the match by [[Nelson Erazo|Homicide]], who went on to win the match for ROH.<ref>{{cite news | last=Vetter | first=Chris | title=ROH, "Death Before Dishonor IV" | date=September 10, 2006 | publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch | url=http://www.pwtorch.com/artman/exec/view.cgi/25/17824}}</ref> Samoa Joe later teamed with Homicide to fight against the Briscoes, and, like Homicide, found himself back in the ROH world title hunt. Samoa Joe, however, came up short against champion Bryan Danielson in several matches, including a match that went to a 60 Minute Draw and the final one being a cage match on December 8.<ref name=rohpast/> At the December 9 show, Samoa Joe called out the [[Pro Wrestling NOAH]] promotion, claiming "Ring of Honor is right here!" This was not his first encounter with NOAH; at the September 16, 2006 ROH show, after a speech by wrestling legend [[Bruno Sammartino]], Samoa Joe got into an argument and pull-apart brawl with NOAH star [[Takeshi Morishima]]. Subsequently a match was signed for February pitting Samoa Joe against Morishima which Joe won.<ref name=rohpast/>

On January 31, Samoa Joe announced that he would no longer be a full time performer in ROH after March 4.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.rohwrestling.com/news/Article.aspx?id=1118 | title = RoH Wrestling news | date =2007-03-03| quote = February 2: The huge story of the week is that Samoa Joe announced his farewell tour to ROH in a very emotional promo in the new ROH Video Wire.}}</ref> All shows that led up to that date would be billed as the "Samoa Joe Farewell Tour". On March 4, he beat long time rival Homicide in his final ROH match with a Muscle Buster from the second rope.<ref name=rohpast>{{cite web|url=http://www.rohwrestling.com/pastresults/|title=Ring of Honor official results|publisher=[[Ring of Honor]]|accessdate=2007-03-03}}</ref>

===Total Nonstop Action Wrestling===
====2005–2006====
On June 14, 2005, Samoa Joe was announced as having signed a contract with [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]].<ref>{{cite news | last=Waldman | first=Jon | title=Samoa Joe signs with TNA | date=June 14, 2005 | publisher=Slam! Sports | url=http://www.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/06/14/1088529.html}}</ref> He made his official debut five days later at the [[Slammiversary (2005)|Slammiversary]] [[pay-per-view]], defeating [[Sonjay Dutt]] in a match that saw him dubbed "The Samoan Submission Machine" by announcer [[Mike Tenay]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Full TNA "Slammiversary" Results | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070521043321/http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=115}}</ref> Samoa Joe was a participant in the [[Christopher Daniels]] Invitational [[TNA 2005 Super X Cup Tournament|Super X Cup]], defeating Sonjay Dutt and [[Alex Shelley]] to advance to the tournament finals at [[TNA Sacrifice#2005|Sacrifice]]. Samoa Joe won the tournament by defeating [[A.J. Styles]], but only with help from Daniels.<ref>{{cite web | title=Official Results From Sunday's "Sacrifice" on Pay-Per-View | url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=178}}</ref> As a result of Daniels' interference, however, [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Directors of Authority|TNA Director of Authority]] [[Larry Zbyszko]] made Daniels defend his [[TNA X Division Championship|X Division Championship]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elmination matches|three-way match]] against both Joe and Styles. This marked Joe's first title shot in the company, though Styles was [[List of professional wrestling slang#B|booked]] to win the match. Joe's undefeated streak was still officially intact, as it was Daniels that had been pinned, not Joe. This match is to date the only match in TNA's history to receive a rating of five stars from Dave Meltzer.<ref>{{cite news | last=Schultz | first=Chris | title=Official TNA "Unbreakable" Results - AJ New X Champion! | date=September 11, 2005 | publisher= TNA Wrestling | url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=200}}</ref>

At [[TNA Genesis#2005|Genesis]] on November 13, he teamed with Daniels, Alex Shelley, and [[Roderick Strong]] (a team that Daniels called "The Ministry") against Sonjay Dutt, [[Chris Sabin]], [[Matt Bentley]], and [[Austin Aries]] in an [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#Elimination tag team match|eight man elimination match]]. Following the victory by Daniels and Samoa Joe (Shelley and Strong were eliminated earlier in the match), Samoa Joe viciously attacked Daniels, beating Daniels around the ringside area until he had busted him open. He then threw Daniels into the ring, and delivered a [[Professional wrestling throws#Muscle Buster|Muscle Buster]]. Joe then went out to grab a steel chair from ringside and brought it into the ring, after which he gave Daniels a second Muscle Buster, this time onto the chair, supposedly giving Daniels a level-3 [[concussion]].<ref>{{cite news | last=Cygy | first=Marcus | title=Official Results From Sunday's "Genesis" Pay-Per-View | date=November 13, 2005 | publisher=TNA Wrestling | url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=310}}</ref> In response to these actions, Styles called Joe out on an episode of ''[[TNA Impact!|Impact!]]'', saying his attack of Daniels violated an unwritten code of respect in the X Division. Prior to [[TNA Turning Point#2005|Turning Point]], Samoa Joe attacked Styles, saying he did not respect the X Division code (a vast departure from his [[Ring of Honor]] persona, who is a stalwart defender of their written Code of Honor). Samoa Joe defeated Styles at Turning Point and won the X Division Championship.<ref name=TNA>{{citeweb|url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/content/view/218/84/|accessdate=2008-07-05|title=Total Nonstop Action Wrestling official title histories|publisher=TNAwrestling.com}}</ref> Joe could injure Styles, however, Daniels came out and stopped him.<ref>{{cite news | last=Cygy | first=Marcus | title=Official Live TNA "Turning Point 2005" Pay-Per-View Results | date=January 16, 2005 | publisher=TNA Wrestling | url= http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=360}}</ref> Daniels was later slated to face Samoa Joe at [[TNA Final Resolution#2006|Final Resolution]] in 2006 for the X Division Championship. During the build-up to the match, Samoa Joe stated that he intended to end Daniels' career. During the match, Styles came down to the ring to cheer for Daniels. Not long after making Daniels bleed from his head, Samoa Joe stopped going for the pin, instead dropping knee after knee on Daniels' head. Styles, concerned about Daniels' health, signaled for the match to be stopped by throwing in the towel, allowing Samoa Joe to retain the X Division title.<ref>{{cite news | last=Cygy | first=Marcus | title=Official Live TNA "Final Resolution 2005" Pay-Per-View Results | date=January 16, 2005 | publisher=TNA Wrestling | url= http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=67}}</ref> Joe proceeded to win rematch of the three-way at Unbreakable, thus retaining his title..<ref>{{cite news | last=Cygy | first=Marcus | title=Official Live TNA "Against All Odds" Pay-Per-View Results | date=February 12, 2006 | publisher=TNA Wrestling | url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=469}}</ref> This three-way [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] continued until [[TNA Destination X#2006|Destination X]], when he lost the title to Daniels in an [[Ultimate X match]], a match in which there is no pinfall or submission, thus keeping his undefeated streak.<ref name=TNA/><ref>{{cite news | last=Cygy | first=Marcus | title=Official Live TNA "Destination X" Pay-Per-View Results | date=March 12, 2006 | publisher=TNA Wrestling | url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=532}}</ref>

Samoa Joe was then taken out of the X Division and matched with an initially unannounced opponent. On the March 25 edition of ''Impact!'', it was announced that he would take on [[Sabu (wrestler)|Sabu]] at [[Lockdown (2006)|Lockdown]]. Despite that, he still had a scheduled X Division title match, and, on April 13's ''Impact!'' (TNA's Thursday debut), Samoa Joe regained the X Division title after delivering an [[Powerslam#Emerald Flowsion|Island Driver]] from the middle turnbuckle to Christopher Daniels.<ref name=TNA/> Samoa Joe then successfully defended his X Division title against Sabu at Lockdown.<ref>{{cite news | last=Cygy | first=Marcus | title=Official Live TNA "Lockdown" Pay-Per-View Results | date=April 23, 2006 | publisher=TNA Wrestling | url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=617}}</ref> At [[TNA Sacrifice 2006|Sacrifice]], Samoa Joe partnered with [[Steve Borden|Sting]] in a tag team match against [[Jeff Jarrett]] and [[Scott Steiner]]. Samoa Joe and Sting were victorious, but after the match, Samoa Joe left the ring and allowed Sting to be attacked.<ref>{{cite news | last=Cygy | first=Marcus | title=Official Live TNA "Sacrifice" Pay-Per-View Results | date=May 14, 2006 | publisher=TNA Wrestling | url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=654}}</ref> Samoa Joe explained this by stating that he agreed to only watch Sting's back "from bell to bell" (implying that once the second bell rang, his duties were over), but still had issues with Steiner. Samoa Joe added Scott Steiner to his undefeated streak, at [[Slammiversary (2006)|Slammiversary]].<ref>{{cite news | last=Cygy | first=Marcus | title=Official Live TNA "Slammiversary" Pay-Per-View Results | date=June 18, 2006 | publisher=TNA Wrestling | url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=712}}</ref>

During the ''Impact!'' tapings on May 15, Samoa Joe was injured as he performed a kick, and it was reported that he tore every [[knee]] [[ligament]] except the [[anterior cruciate ligament]]. He suffered a first degree tear to the [[posterior cruciate ligament]] and a second degree tear to the [[medial collateral ligament]]. Samoa Joe would remain out of action for two weeks. After returning, Samoa Joe lost his X Division Championship in a triple threat match with Sonjay Dutt and [[Brandon Silvestry|Senshi]]. Senshi pinned Dutt to win the championship after Steiner laid out Samoa Joe with a steel chair.<ref name=TNA/> Samoa Joe would have his chance at revenge when he participated in a four-way number one contender match for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] along with Sting, [[Jason Reso|Christian Cage]], and Scott Steiner at [[TNA Victory Road#2006|Victory Road]] on July 16. Samoa Joe lost this match when Sting pinned Steiner.<ref>{{cite news | last=Cygy | first=Marcus | title=Official Live TNA "Victory Road" Pay-Per-View Results | date=July 16, 2006 | publisher=TNA Wrestling | url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=753}}</ref>

Samoa Joe beat Jeff Jarrett at [[TNA No Surrender#2006|No Surrender]] in a "Fan's Revenge [[Professional wrestling match types#Lumberjack match|Lumberjack match]]". After the match, he took Jarrett's [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] with him, telling [[Jim Cornette]] that if Jarrett or Sting (Jarrett's scheduled opponent at [[TNA Bound For Glory#2006|Bound For Glory]]) wanted the belt, they could take it from him.<ref>{{cite news | last=Cygy | first=Marcus | title=Official Live TNA "No Surrender" Pay-Per-View Results | date=September 24, 2006 | publisher=TNA Wrestling | url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=850}}</ref> On the October 12 episode, Samoa Joe agreed to return the belt to the Jarrett-Sting winner under one condition—the winner had to agree to give him a title shot. This offer was turned down, and finally Samoa Joe was given the choice of giving back the title or be fired. [[Kurt Angle]] made his debut and got into a brawl with Samoa Joe after he again refused to give back the belt, and during the brawl, Jarrett took the belt back. At Bound for Glory on October 22, Samoa Joe defeated [[Scott Levy|Raven]], [[Matt Hyson|Brother Runt]] and [[Chris Parks|Abyss]] in a [[Monster's Ball match]]. The match ended when special referee [[Jake Roberts]] [[DDT (professional wrestling)|DDT'd]] Raven, allowing Samoa Joe to deliver the Muscle Buster to Raven for the pinfall. Later in the night, Samoa Joe was involved in a pull-apart brawl with [[Kurt Angle]] after Jim Cornette announced that he would be fired if he interfered in the main event match that involved Angle as special enforcer.<ref>{{cite news | last=Cygy | first=Marcus | title=Official Live TNA "Bound For Glory" Pay-Per-View Results | date=October 22, 2006 | publisher=TNA Wrestling | url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=936}}</ref> At [[TNA Genesis#2006|Genesis]], Joe lost to Angle after tapping out to Angle's [[Professional wrestling holds#Ankle lock|ankle lock]]. This ended his eighteen month undefeated streak.<ref>{{cite news | last=Cygy | first=Marcus | title=Results From The TNA "Genesis" Pay-Per-View Event | date=November 19, 2006 | publisher=TNA Wrestling | url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=1014}}</ref> Throughout the rest of 2006 into 2007, Samoa Joe continued to feud with Angle picking up a victory by submission in their rematch at [[TNA Turning Point#2006|Turning Point]],<ref>{{cite news | last=Cygy | first=Marcus | title=Live Results From The TNA "Turning Point" Pay-Per-View | date=December 10, 2006 | publisher=TNA Wrestling | url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=1062}}</ref> before suffering a [[Legit (professional wrestling)|legitimate]] knee injury in a tag team match that pitted Rhino and Kurt Angle against Samoa Joe and A.J. Styles.P.S: samoa joe has a very devestating finisher the muscle buster, also known as muscle breaker which is like a high powerd reverse neck breaker, watch thursday night TNA on spike at 9:00, P.S sting,kurt angle,aj styles, curry man,a stone cold wannabe sharkboy3:16, and many other pro wrestlers are on Total Nonstop Action.

Joe was released October 13, 2008 from TNA so that he could wrestle in Japan

====2007–present====
On January 14, 2007 at [[Final Resolution#2007|Final Resolution]], Samoa Joe faced Angle in a thirty minute [[Iron Man match]]. With seconds remaining, Samoa Joe had Angle in the ankle lock. Although Angle tapped out, he did so just after time had expired. As a result, Angle won the match three falls to two.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cygy|first=Marcus|title=Official Live TNA "Final Resolution" Pay-Per-View Results|date=January 14, 2007|publisher=TNA Wrestling|url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=1129}}</ref>

On the February 14 edition of ''Impact!'', Samoa Joe won a [[Professional wrestling match types#Gauntlet match|gauntlet match]] to become the number one contender to Christian Cage's NWA World Heavyweight Championship at [[Destination X#2007|Destination X]]. Samoa Joe lost to Cage after Cage reversed the [[Rear naked choke#"Sleeper hold" in professional wrestling|Coquina Clutch]] into a pinning combination and used the ropes for leverage.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cygy|first=Marcus|title=Official Live TNA "Destination-X 2007" Pay-Per-View Results|date=February 12, 2006|publisher=TNA Wrestling|url= http://www.tnawrestling.com/results/ppv/full.php?ppvres=1233}}</ref> On the May 24 edition of ''Impact!'', Samoa Joe qualified for the [[King of the Mountain match]] at [[Slammiversary (2007)|Slammiversary]] by defeating Sting with a [[Professional wrestling throws#Samoan drop|Samoan drop]] after [[Christopher Daniels]] hit Sting with a baseball bat; Samoa Joe lost the [[King of the Mountain match]] when Kurt Angle hung the belt. He then qualified to compete in the Match of Champions at [[TNA Victory Road#2007|Victory Road]] by defeating [[Jay Lethal]] and [[Chris Sabin]] for the X Division title on the July 12 episode of ''Impact!''.<ref name=TNA/> At the Match of Champions, Samoa Joe scored the winning pinfall on [[Mark LoMonaco|Brother]] Ray after Kurt Angle hit the Angle Slam and won the TNA World Tag Team Championships from Team 3D, making him the first wrestler in TNA to hold multiple TNA championships.<ref name=TNA/> He later opted to hold both the titles by himself. At [[TNA Hard Justice#2007|Hard Justice]], Samoa Joe put up the X Division title and both Tag Team titles against Kurt Angle's TNA World title as well as the [[Inoki Genome Federation#IWGP Third Belt Championship|IWGP World Championship (Third Belt)]]. Samoa Joe, however, lost all his titles thanks to interferences by [[Karen Angle]], enabling Kurt to become the second [[Triple Crown Championship|TNA Triple Crown Champion]]. Samoa Joe became the first man to defeat Christian Cage by pinfall or submission in TNA, forcing him tap out to the Coquina Clutch at [[Bound for Glory (2007)|Bound for Glory]], thus ending Cage's twenty-three month undefeated streak by pinfall or submission in TNA.

Samoa Joe was then announced as the teammate of [[The Outsiders (professional wrestling)|Kevin Nash and Scott Hall]] in their match against The [[Angle Alliance]] at [[TNA Turning Point#2007|Turning Point]]. Hall, however, [[no-show]]ed the event. Before the match, Samoa Joe was asked to cut a [[promo (professional wrestling)|promo]] alleviating [[heat (professional wrestling)|heat]] from the company and introducing [[Eric Young (wrestler)|Eric Young]] as Hall's replacement. Samoa Joe went five minutes overtime and ranted against Hall, Nash and some other superstars, which legitimately upset Nash and TNA President [[Dixie Carter (professional wrestling)|Dixie Carter]] at ringside. Before calling Young to come to the ring he told the TNA ringside staff, "Are you mad? Go ahead, fire me, I don't care." Samoa Joe, Nash and Young defeated the Angle Alliance when Samoa Joe pinned Tomko after a Muscle Buster. After the match, Samoa Joe and Nash briefly argued and shoved one another backstage, with Samoa Joe apologizing at a talent meeting the following day.<ref name="turningpoint">Keller, Wade [http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_23826.shtml "PPV Notes: More details on the Hall no-show, Joe's unscripted rant, and the fallout at TV taping today"] PWITorch.com (December 3, 2007) Retrieved December 6, 2007.</ref> On-screen, though, Samoa Joe continued to direct his frustration towards TNA management, going as far as to trash a Christmas party organized by [[Matt Morgan (wrestler)|Matt Morgan]].

[[Image:Samoa Joe Sign.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Samoa Joe signing autographs for fans]]
In storyline, after complaining to [[Jim Cornette]] that he did not have a match at [[Final Resolution#2008|Final Resolution]], Cornette decided to team Samoa Joe with Kevin Nash, who was to receive a title shot with Scott Hall when he returned. At Final Resolution, Samoa Joe, along with his tag team partner Kevin Nash lost to the team of [[A.J. Styles and Tomko]]. This occurred after Nash refused to tag himself into the match leaving Samoa Joe to fend for himself. In addition, Nash "[[Finger (gesture)|flipped off]]" Samoa Joe whilst leaving the ringside area. After Nash had screwed Joe at Final Resolution, Nash told Joe he was teaching him a lesson about the wrestling business and told Samoa Joe he could help him to the top if he followed his direction. On the January 24 edition of ''Impact!'', Samoa Joe went on a rampage, attacking several TNA employees, culminating in his attacking of [[Jeremy Borash|J.B.]] after being announced as the MVP of 2007.

For months, Samoa Joe was said to be unhappy with his spot in TNA and that he was considering not renewing his contract.{{Fact|date=September 2008}} TNA used that Internet rumor into a storyline, where Cornette tried to sign him into a new contract, but every week the signature was interrupted. At [[TNA Against All Odds#2008|Against All Odds]], Samoa Joe served as the special enforcer for the [[TNA World Heavyweight Championship]] match where Kurt Angle defended his title against challenger Christian Cage. During the contest, A.J. Styles interfered and Samoa Joe fought Styles to the back, but Tomko came out and attacked Cage giving Angle the win. On the February 14 edition of ''Impact'', Samoa Joe formed an alliance with Cage and Kevin Nash, to compete with Kurt Angle's Angle Alliance. It was also announced that Samoa Joe would be given the next TNA World Heavyweight Championship opportunity against Angle. Over the next few weeks, Samoa Joe and his new found alliance would attack the Angle Alliance leading up to their match at [[Destination X (2008)|Destination X]]. Samoa Joe vowed that he would eliminate the Angle Alliance so he would receive a fair title match with Kurt Angle at [[Lockdown (2008)|Lockdown]]. On the March 6 edition of ''Impact!'', Samoa Joe, Christian, and Nash faced a member of the Angle Alliance to determine who would get a five minute advantage during their match at Destination X. Joe lost his [[Professional wrestling match types#First Blood match|First Blood match]] to Tomko, but Nash defeated Styles in a [[Hardcore wrestling|Street Fight]] while Cage defeated Angle in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|Six Sides of Steel match]]. Samoa Joe's team won the match when he made Tomko tap out to the Coquina Clutch. Achieving his goal to eliminate the Angle Alliance, nothing now stood in the way of Samoa Joe getting a fair title shot at Lockdown.

At Lockdown, Samoa Joe defeated Angle to win his first TNA World Championship and become TNA's third Triple Crown Champion.<ref name=TNA/> The stipulation of the match was if Samoa Joe had lost, he would have had to [[Professional wrestling match types#Retirement match|retire]] from professional wrestling. He successfully defeated Angle in a rematch on ''Impact!'' and then retained against [[Scott Steiner]] and [[Frankie Kazarian|Kaz]] at [[Sacrifice (2008)|Sacrifice]]. At [[Slammiversary (2008)|Slammiversary]], Samoa Joe became the first champion to ever retain his title in a King of the Mountain match.{{Fact|date=September 2008}} Samoa Joe was then challenged to a match by Booker T at [[Victory Road (2008)|Victory Road]], which he accepted. At Victory Road the match went to a No Contest when Sting hit Samoa Joe with a baseball bat and Booker pinned him while [[Sharmell Sullivan|Sharmell]] made the three count. At [[Hard Justice (2008)|Hard Justice]], Samoa Joe defeated Booker after a [[Professional wrestling attacks#El Kabong|guitar shot]], thus reclaiming physical possession of the title belt, which Booker had kept after Victory Road. On [[October 11]], [[2008]], Samoa Joe surpassed [[Kurt Angle]] for the longest reign of the [[TNA World Heavyweight Championship]]. At [[Bound for Glory IV]], he fought [[Steve Borden|Sting]] in a losing effort to defend the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, ending his reign at 182 days.<!-- DO NOT ADD WEEK BY WEEK EVENTS, RUMOURS OR SPECULATION. THIS INCLUDES ANNOUNCED MATCHES THAT HAVE NOT YET OCCURRED. WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A NEWS SITE BUT AN ONLINE ENCYCLOPEDIA. Please see the articles "Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not" and "Wikipedia:Guide to writing better articles" for more information. -->

==In wrestling==
[[Image:Samoa Joe muscle buster in London Sep 2008.jpg|thumb|right|Samoa Joe prepares to deliver a ''Muscle Buster'' to [[Jason Reso|Christian Cage]].]]
*'''Finishing and signature moves'''
<!--Do NOT change the order of the moves, as they comply with Wikipedia's Manual of Style-->
**'''''C.C.S. Enzuigiri'''''<ref name=OWOW/> ([[Professional wrestling attacks#Enzuigiri|Jumping twisting enzuigiri]] while facing away from the opponent) &ndash; [[Independent circuit]]; Used as a regular move in [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling|TNA]]
**'''''[[Chimera]]&ndash;Plex'''''<ref name=OWOW>{{citeweb|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/s/samoa-joe.html|accessdate=2008-09-16|title=Samoa Joe profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> ([[Suplex#German suplex|German suplex]] followed into a [[Suplex#Full nelson suplex|dragon suplex]] and finished with an [[Suplex#X-Plex|X&ndash;Plex]])
**'''''Island Driver'''''<ref name=OWOW/> ([[Powerslam#Emerald Flowsion|Sitout side powerslam]], sometimes from the [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Super|second rope]], or a [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Reverse piledriver|side reverse piledriver]]) &ndash; TNA; Used as a regular move elsewhere
**'''[[Professional wrestling throws#Muscle Buster|Muscle Buster]],'''<ref name="TNAprofile"/> '''sometimes from the [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Super|second rope]]'''
**'''''Coquina Clutch'''''<ref name="TNAprofile"/> (TNA) / '''[[Professional wrestling holds#Rear naked choke|Rear naked choke]]''' (Independent circuit)<ref name=OWOW/>
<!--Do NOT change the order of the moves, as they comply with Wikipedia's Manual of Style-->
**[[Professional wrestling attacks#Backhand chop|Chop]] to the back followed by a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Football kick|football kick]] to the chest and finished with a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Knee drop|jumping knee drop]]
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Death Valley driver|Death Valley driver]]
**[[Professional wrestling attacks#Facewash|Facewash]]<ref name=OWOW/>
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Inverted atomic drop|Inverted atomic drop]] followed by a [[Dropkick#Single leg running dropkick|running single leg dropkick]] and finished with a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Senton|running senton]]
**[[Professional wrestling attacks#Backhand chop|Multiple backhand chops]]
**[[Professional wrestling attacks#Kick|Multiple stiff kicks]]
**Multiple [[suplex]] variations
***[[Suplex#Belly to belly suplex|Belly to belly]]
***[[Suplex#Exploder suplex|Exploder]]
***[[Suplex#German suplex|German]]
**''Olé Kick''<ref name=OWOW/> ([[Professional wrestling attacks#Big boot|Running arched big boot]] to the face of an opponent seated on a chair next to a guardrail)
**[[Powerbomb]] followed either into a [[Pin (professional wrestling)#Prawn hold|prawn hold]], a [[Boston crab#Single leg Boston crab|thigh&ndash;held single leg Boston crab]] or an [[Professional wrestling holds#STF|STF]]<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/video_reviews/37454/ROH---Joe-vs.-Kobashi-DVD-Review.htm|title = ROH - Joe vs. Kobashi DVD Review|author = Brad Garoon and Jacob Ziegler, 411mania|date = July 9, 2007|quote = Match 9: Kenta Kobashi vs. Samoa Joe}}</ref>
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Samoan drop|Samoan drop]]
**[[Powerslam#Scoop powerslam|Snap scoop powerslam]] followed into a [[Pin (professional wrestling)#Cover|cover attempt]] or sometimes into a [[Professional wrestling holds#Crucifix armbar|crucifix armbar]]
**[[Powerslam#Sidewalk slam|Sidewalk slam]]<ref name=OWOW/>
**''[[Professional wrestling throws#STO|STJoe]]'' ([[Powerslam#One-armed side slam|Standing one&ndash;armed side slam]], as a counter to a running attack most often in the corner)

*'''[[Manager (professional wrestling)|Managers]]
**[[Kevin Nash]]

*'''[[Nickname]]s'''
**'''The Champ''' ([[Ring of Honor|ROH]] / [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling|TNA]])
**'''The Samoan Submission Machine''' ([[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling|TNA]]) <ref name="Robinson">{{ cite web | url = http://uk.sports.ign.com/articles/734/734078p1.html | title = Samoa Joe Interview: Talking chokes, videogames, and Fans Revenge with the hardest hitter in wrestling | author = Robinson, J. | publisher= [[IGN]] | accessdate=2007-04-11|date=2006-09-21}}</ref>

==Championships and accomplishments==
*'''Ballpark Brawl'''
**Natural Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<sup>1</sup><ref>{{cite web | title=Ballpark Brawl results | url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ballparkbrawl.html}}</ref>

*'''Extreme Wrestling Federation'''
**EWF Xtreme 8 Tournament (2006)<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ewf/|accessdate=2008-07-05|title=EWF tournament results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>

*'''[[Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South]]'''
**Revolution Strong Style Tournament (2004)<ref name=OWOW>{{citeweb|url=http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/profiles/s/samoa-joe.php|accessdate=2008-07-05|title=Samoa Joe Bio|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>

*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
**PWI ranked him # '''4''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the [[Pro Wrestling Illustrated|PWI 500]] in 2006<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50006.htm|title=PWI Top 500 - 2006|accessdate=2007-04-26|publisher= Wrestling Information Archive}}</ref>
**[[PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year]] (2006)<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwimpoty.htm|title=PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year|accessdate=2007-04-26|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive}}</ref>
**[[PWI Feud of the Year]] (2007) <small>vs. [[Kurt Angle]]</small>

*'''[[Pro Wrestling ZERO1]]'''
**[[NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]; Reign not recognized by ZERO1)<ref name=ZERO/><ref name=ZEROUN/> &ndash; with [[Ryan Sakoda|Keiji Sakoda]] '''(First)'''

*'''Pure Wrestling Association'''
**PWA Pure Wrestling Championship (1 time)<ref name=OWOW/><sup>1</sup>

*'''[[Ring of Honor]]'''
**[[ROH Pure Championship]] ([[ROH Pure Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name=ROH/><ref name=RoHpure/>
**[[ROH World Championship]] ([[ROH World Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name=ROH/><ref name=RoHTitle/>

*'''[[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]]'''
**[[TNA World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[TNA World Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name=TNA/>'''(Longest Reign)'''
**[[TNA World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of TNA World Tag Team Champions|1 time]])<sup>2</sup><ref name=TNA/>
**[[TNA X Division Championship]] ([[List of TNA X Division Champions|3 times]])<ref name=TNA/>
**[[King of the Mountain match|King of the Mountain]] ([[King of the Mountain match|2008]])
**[[List of TNA tournaments#Super X Cup Tournament|Super X Cup winner]] ([[TNA 2005 Super X Cup Tournament|2005]])
**[[Triple Crown Championship#TNA Triple Crown|TNA Triple Crown Champion]] ([[Triple Crown Championship#List of TNA Triple Crown winners|1 time]])

*'''Twin Wrestling Entertainment'''
**TWE Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name=OWOW/>

*'''[[Ultimate Pro Wrestling]]'''
**[[UPW Heavyweight Championship]] ([[UPW Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name="UPWtitle">[http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/other/upwtit.htm UPW title history]</ref>
**UPW No Hold Barred Championship (2 times)<ref name="UPWtitle" />

*'''United Independent Wrestling Alliance'''
**UIWA Tag Team Championship (2 times)<ref name=OWOW/>

*'''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards]]'''
**[[Dave Meltzer#Rating system|5 Star Match]] (2004) <small>vs. CM Punk on October 16</small>
**5 Star Match (2005) <small>vs. [[A.J. Styles]] and [[Christopher Daniels]] at [[TNA Unbreakable#2005|Unbreakable]] on September 11</small>
**5 Star Match (2005) <small>vs. [[Kenta Kobashi]] at ''Joe vs. Kobashi'' on October 1</small>
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Bruiser Brody Memorial Award (Best Brawler)|Best Brawler]] (2005, 2006)
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Outstanding Wrestler|Most Outstanding Wrestler]] (2005)

<sup>1</sup><small>After being stripped of the title, Samoa Joe's reign was stricken from their records and the title returned to the man Samoa Joe defeated, Eddie Osbourne.</small><ref>{{cite news|last=Ingram|first=William|title=Samoa Joe Stripped of Title, Jim Ross & More|date=2007-02-14|publisher=Wrestle Talk Radio|url=http://www.wrestletalkradio.com/readnews.php?id=5763}}</ref>

<sup>2</sup><small>After winning the championship, Samoa Joe held the title by himself.</small>

==Personal life==
Joe got married on July 27, 2007.<ref>[http://www.tnarevolution.com/ TNA sent out a mobile message stating that Samoa Joe was married over this past weekend in California.]</ref>

Seanoa is close friends with fellow wrestlers [[CM Punk]], [[Nelson Erazo|Homicide]], [[Christopher Daniels]], [[A.J. Styles]], [[Rob Van Dam]] and [[John Cena]].<ref name="JoeShootInterview"/> Seanoa has also appeared on Szatkowski's internet based reality show "RVD TV" numerous times.

Seanoa avidly trains in both Judo and Jiu Jitsu at LA Boxing in [[Costa Mesa]], [[California]]. He is often noted as a sparring partner for [[Team Punishment]] member [[Justin McCully]] and is often in attendance in the lockeroom for Team Punishment fighters such as [[Tito Ortiz]] and [[Kendall Grove]], with whom he maintains friendships.

Seanoa was born and raised in Southern California. He resided mainly in [[Huntington Beach]], and split time during his childhood in [[Ewa Beach]], [[Hawaii]].

In an article in ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'', Samoa Joe claimed to share a distant ancestor with the [[Anoa'i family]], but well before Reverend Amituanai Anoa'i, so he is not a member of the family.{{Fact|date=September 2008}}

==Media==
*''Best of Samoa Joe: ROH World Champion'' [DVD] (2004) Ring of Honor<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.rohwrestling.com/shoponline.asp?point=moreinfo&id=452|title=Best of Samoa Joe- ROH World Champion (DVD)|publisher= Ring of Honor |accessdate=2007-07-15 }}</ref>
*''Straight Shootin' with Samoa Joe'' [DVD] (2004) Ring of Honor<ref name="JoeShootInterview"/>
*''Best of Samoa Joe Vol. 2: The Champ is Here'' [DVD] (2005) Ring of Honor<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.rohwrestling.com/shoponline.asp?point=moreinfo&id=1092 |title=Best of Samoa Joe Vol. 2- The Champ Is Here DVD| publisher=Ring of Honor |accessdate=2007-07-15 }}</ref>
*''Straight Shootin' with Samoa Joe & CM Punk'' [DVD] (2005) Ring of Honor<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.rohwrestling.com/shoponline.asp?point=moreinfo&id=1220 |title=Straight Shootin' with Samoa Joe & CM Punk (DVD)| publisher=Ring of Honor |accessdate=2007-07-15 }}</ref>
*''Best of Samoa Joe Vol. 3: ROH Legend'' [DVD] (2006) Ring of Honor<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.rohwrestling.com/shoponline.asp?point=moreinfo&id=1680 |title=Best of Samoa Joe Vol. 3- ROH Legend (DVD)|publisher =Ring of Honor |accessdate=2007-07-15 }}</ref>
*''Unstoppable: The Best of Samoa Joe'' [DVD] (2006) Total Nonstop Action Wrestling<ref name=unstop/>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Professional wrestling|break=yes}}
{{wikiquote}}
* [http://www.myspace.com/joeism Samoa Joe] at [[MySpace]]
* [http://www.tnawrestling.com/roster/samoajoe/index.html TNA Profile]
* [http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/samoa_joe.html SLAM! Wrestling: Samoa Joe]
* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/s/samoa-joe.html Online World of Wrestling Profile]
* [http://media.www.thewhitonline.com/media/storage/paper291/news/2007/02/22/Sports/Ring-Of.Honor.Legend.On.His.Farewell.Tour-2736419-page2.shtml The Whit Online: Ring of Honor legend on his farewell tour] by Neil Borenstein

{{TNA roster}}

[[Category:American professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Samoan professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Samoan Americans]]
[[Category:1979 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Orange County, California]]

[[de:Nuufolau Joel Seanoa]]
[[es:Joe Seanoa]]
[[fr:Samoa Joe]]
[[it:Joe Seanoa]]
[[ja:サモア・ジョー]]
[[pl:Samoa Joe]]
[[pt:Samoa Joe]]
[[sv:Samoa Joe]]

Revision as of 01:20, 14 October 2008

Samoa Joe
File:SamoaJoe0407.jpg
Samoa Joe in April 2007.
Born (1979-03-17) March 17, 1979 (age 45)
Orange County, California, United States[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Joe Seanoa
King Joe
Samoa Joe
Samoan Joe[2]
Billed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[3]
Billed weight290 lb (130 kg)[3]
Billed fromAmerican Samoa
Huntington Beach, California
The Isle of Samoa
Trained byCincinnati Red
John Delayo
Yoshiaki Fujiwara
Johnny Hemp
DebutSeptember 1999

Nuufolau Joel Seanoa [4] [5](born March 17, 1979)[1] is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Samoa Joe, currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.

Before debuting in TNA in June 2005, Seanoa competed in the Ring of Honor (ROH) independent promotion, where he held the ROH World Championship for a record 21 months. Upon joining TNA, Seanoa embarked upon an eighteen month-long undefeated streak in which he never lost a match by pinfall or submission. That streak came to an end at the Genesis event in 2006, when he tapped out to Kurt Angle's ankle lock submission hold.

Throughout his career, Seanoa has won numerous championships, either on the independent circuit or on the national scene. During his time in ROH, not only did Seanoa win the ROH World Championship but he also won the ROH Pure Championship. His efforts in TNA not only have made him a TNA World Heavyweight Champion but also a three-time TNA X Division Champion and a one-time TNA World Tag Team Champion. He is also the 2005 Super X Cup Tournament winner, the 2008 King of the Mountain (The only one to retain the World Heavyweight Championship in the match), and a one-time TNA Triple Crown Champion.

Early life

Seanoa's family founded a Polynesian dance troupe in the United States called Tiare Productions. Joe Seanoa made his on stage debut at the 1984 Summer Olympics opening at the age of five. He became a California State Junior Judo Champion and was an all league football player while attending Ocean View High School.[6] Before becoming a wrestler, Seanoa worked as a mortgage broker.[7]

Professional wrestling career

Samoa Joe was the first graduate of the UIWA West Coast Dojo, training under Cincinnati Red, along with Johnny Hemp and, occasionally, John Delayo. He debuted in December 1999 in a match against "Uncle" Jess Hansen just three months after beginning training. Samoa Joe quickly signed with former World Wrestling Federation developmental affiliate Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW), where he feuded with his friend John Cena and made an appearance on WWF Jakked against Essa Rios,[8] and he eventually captured the UPW Heavyweight Championship.[9] He later became the longest reigning UPW Heavyweight Champion ever.

Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE (2001–2002)

In June 2001, Samoa Joe made his way to Japan, wrestling for Shinya Hashimoto's ZERO ONE promotion, fighting in its Shingeki series of pay per views,[10] as well as the annual Burning Heart tournaments.[11] During this time, Samoa Joe also began wrestling for southern California promotion Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, where he had an on-screen rivalry with Super Dragon.

In his debut match at the Yokohoma Red Brickhouse, Samoa Joe teamed with Yoshihiro Takayama to take on the team of Mitsuharu Misawa and Takeshi Morishima. Samoa Joe captured the win for his team after pinning Misawa with an Island Driver, one of his finishing maneuvers. Two days later, on October 27, Samoa Joe again faced Misawa, this time for the GHC title in a one-on-one match at the Budokan Hall. Both competitors had exchanged and overcame their respective signature moves throughout the match but it was Misawa who won the pinfall after striking the back of Joe's head with his elbow thus marking his sixth successful title defense. Samoa Joe continued to work for the promotion throughout 2002, participating in a number of their biggest shows and tournaments. After forming a team with Keiji Sakoda, they became the first-ever holders of the NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship, thought their reign is no longer officially recognized by the promotion.[12][13] He worked as both Samoa Joe and, later, King Joe, but ultimately chose to leave the promotion when he was asked to take on a more gimmicky character. While in Japan, Samoa Joe trained extensively in Japan at the Fujiwara Gumi, under the guidance of submission wrestling master Yoshiaki Fujiwara.[citation needed]

Ring of Honor (2002–2007)

Back in the United States, Samoa Joe joined the ranks of the East Coast-based Ring of Honor promotion in 2002. He made his debut at "Glory by Honor" as Christopher Daniels' "hired assassin", brought in to take out Daniels' chief enemy, Low Ki.[14] Originally booked for just the one match against Low Ki (due to the cost of flying him from California to Pennsylvania, which ROH had to pay), Samoa Joe impressed fans with his extremely stiff and hard-hitting style that resembled an mixed martial arts fighter more than a wrestler, which led to ROH booking him full time.[15]

Samoa Joe quickly rose through the ranks and became ROH Champion, defeating Xavier for the belt in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 22, 2003, which soon became the ROH World Championship on May 17, 2003 after defeating The Zebra Kid at "Frontiers of Honor" in London, England.[16][17] He held that title for twenty one months before losing it to Austin Aries at "Final Battle 2004" on December 26, 2004.[17] With his ROH title reign, Samoa Joe also established himself as the face of the company and a perennial main-eventer in North America. He elevated the title from a mid-card attraction, secondary to established independent stars like Low Ki, Daniels, and A.J. Styles, to the ultimate prize in Ring of Honor.[citation needed] During this time, he had a trilogy of title defenses against CM Punk (the second match earning "Five Stars" from Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the first American match in seven years to do so).[14] Soon after losing the ROH World Championship to Austin Aries, Samoa Joe became the promotion's fifth Pure Champion, defeating his on-screen protegé Jay Lethal for the belt on May 7, 2005 at "Manhattan Mayhem" in New York City.[16][18] He held the title for over three months before losing it to Nigel McGuiness on August 27 at "Dragon Gate Invasion".[18]

In October 2005, when Japanese heavyweight superstar Kenta Kobashi made a "once-in-a-lifetime" trip to the United States, he was signed to two Ring of Honor shows. ROH officials selected Samoa Joe, ROH's top wrestler, to face him in a singles match on the first night and a tag match on the second.[14][19] The first show was in New York City at the New Yorker Hotel. Joe proved to be a formidable opponent for Kobashi, and, after a back and forth match, which Dave Meltzer again gave "Five Stars" and the scripted match went on to win the Wrestling Observer Newsletter award for "Match of the Year". In 2006, Samoa Joe was one of the principal wrestlers representing Ring of Honor in their war against rival Philadelphia promotion Combat Zone Wrestling. The war culminated in a five-on-five Cage of Death match at "Death before Dishonor IV". Samoa Joe helped ROH dominate in the match, until, after picking up CZW wrestler Chris Hero for one of his finishers, the Muscle Buster, he was attacked by fellow ROH wrestler Bryan Danielson. Danielson repeatedly hit his injured knee with a steel chair, forcing him to quit the match. Samoa Joe was later replaced in the match by Homicide, who went on to win the match for ROH.[20] Samoa Joe later teamed with Homicide to fight against the Briscoes, and, like Homicide, found himself back in the ROH world title hunt. Samoa Joe, however, came up short against champion Bryan Danielson in several matches, including a match that went to a 60 Minute Draw and the final one being a cage match on December 8.[14] At the December 9 show, Samoa Joe called out the Pro Wrestling NOAH promotion, claiming "Ring of Honor is right here!" This was not his first encounter with NOAH; at the September 16, 2006 ROH show, after a speech by wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino, Samoa Joe got into an argument and pull-apart brawl with NOAH star Takeshi Morishima. Subsequently a match was signed for February pitting Samoa Joe against Morishima which Joe won.[14]

On January 31, Samoa Joe announced that he would no longer be a full time performer in ROH after March 4.[21] All shows that led up to that date would be billed as the "Samoa Joe Farewell Tour". On March 4, he beat long time rival Homicide in his final ROH match with a Muscle Buster from the second rope.[14]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

2005–2006

On June 14, 2005, Samoa Joe was announced as having signed a contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.[22] He made his official debut five days later at the Slammiversary pay-per-view, defeating Sonjay Dutt in a match that saw him dubbed "The Samoan Submission Machine" by announcer Mike Tenay.[23] Samoa Joe was a participant in the Christopher Daniels Invitational Super X Cup, defeating Sonjay Dutt and Alex Shelley to advance to the tournament finals at Sacrifice. Samoa Joe won the tournament by defeating A.J. Styles, but only with help from Daniels.[24] As a result of Daniels' interference, however, TNA Director of Authority Larry Zbyszko made Daniels defend his X Division Championship in a three-way match against both Joe and Styles. This marked Joe's first title shot in the company, though Styles was booked to win the match. Joe's undefeated streak was still officially intact, as it was Daniels that had been pinned, not Joe. This match is to date the only match in TNA's history to receive a rating of five stars from Dave Meltzer.[25]

At Genesis on November 13, he teamed with Daniels, Alex Shelley, and Roderick Strong (a team that Daniels called "The Ministry") against Sonjay Dutt, Chris Sabin, Matt Bentley, and Austin Aries in an eight man elimination match. Following the victory by Daniels and Samoa Joe (Shelley and Strong were eliminated earlier in the match), Samoa Joe viciously attacked Daniels, beating Daniels around the ringside area until he had busted him open. He then threw Daniels into the ring, and delivered a Muscle Buster. Joe then went out to grab a steel chair from ringside and brought it into the ring, after which he gave Daniels a second Muscle Buster, this time onto the chair, supposedly giving Daniels a level-3 concussion.[26] In response to these actions, Styles called Joe out on an episode of Impact!, saying his attack of Daniels violated an unwritten code of respect in the X Division. Prior to Turning Point, Samoa Joe attacked Styles, saying he did not respect the X Division code (a vast departure from his Ring of Honor persona, who is a stalwart defender of their written Code of Honor). Samoa Joe defeated Styles at Turning Point and won the X Division Championship.[27] Joe could injure Styles, however, Daniels came out and stopped him.[28] Daniels was later slated to face Samoa Joe at Final Resolution in 2006 for the X Division Championship. During the build-up to the match, Samoa Joe stated that he intended to end Daniels' career. During the match, Styles came down to the ring to cheer for Daniels. Not long after making Daniels bleed from his head, Samoa Joe stopped going for the pin, instead dropping knee after knee on Daniels' head. Styles, concerned about Daniels' health, signaled for the match to be stopped by throwing in the towel, allowing Samoa Joe to retain the X Division title.[29] Joe proceeded to win rematch of the three-way at Unbreakable, thus retaining his title..[30] This three-way feud continued until Destination X, when he lost the title to Daniels in an Ultimate X match, a match in which there is no pinfall or submission, thus keeping his undefeated streak.[27][31]

Samoa Joe was then taken out of the X Division and matched with an initially unannounced opponent. On the March 25 edition of Impact!, it was announced that he would take on Sabu at Lockdown. Despite that, he still had a scheduled X Division title match, and, on April 13's Impact! (TNA's Thursday debut), Samoa Joe regained the X Division title after delivering an Island Driver from the middle turnbuckle to Christopher Daniels.[27] Samoa Joe then successfully defended his X Division title against Sabu at Lockdown.[32] At Sacrifice, Samoa Joe partnered with Sting in a tag team match against Jeff Jarrett and Scott Steiner. Samoa Joe and Sting were victorious, but after the match, Samoa Joe left the ring and allowed Sting to be attacked.[33] Samoa Joe explained this by stating that he agreed to only watch Sting's back "from bell to bell" (implying that once the second bell rang, his duties were over), but still had issues with Steiner. Samoa Joe added Scott Steiner to his undefeated streak, at Slammiversary.[34]

During the Impact! tapings on May 15, Samoa Joe was injured as he performed a kick, and it was reported that he tore every knee ligament except the anterior cruciate ligament. He suffered a first degree tear to the posterior cruciate ligament and a second degree tear to the medial collateral ligament. Samoa Joe would remain out of action for two weeks. After returning, Samoa Joe lost his X Division Championship in a triple threat match with Sonjay Dutt and Senshi. Senshi pinned Dutt to win the championship after Steiner laid out Samoa Joe with a steel chair.[27] Samoa Joe would have his chance at revenge when he participated in a four-way number one contender match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship along with Sting, Christian Cage, and Scott Steiner at Victory Road on July 16. Samoa Joe lost this match when Sting pinned Steiner.[35]

Samoa Joe beat Jeff Jarrett at No Surrender in a "Fan's Revenge Lumberjack match". After the match, he took Jarrett's NWA World Heavyweight Championship with him, telling Jim Cornette that if Jarrett or Sting (Jarrett's scheduled opponent at Bound For Glory) wanted the belt, they could take it from him.[36] On the October 12 episode, Samoa Joe agreed to return the belt to the Jarrett-Sting winner under one condition—the winner had to agree to give him a title shot. This offer was turned down, and finally Samoa Joe was given the choice of giving back the title or be fired. Kurt Angle made his debut and got into a brawl with Samoa Joe after he again refused to give back the belt, and during the brawl, Jarrett took the belt back. At Bound for Glory on October 22, Samoa Joe defeated Raven, Brother Runt and Abyss in a Monster's Ball match. The match ended when special referee Jake Roberts DDT'd Raven, allowing Samoa Joe to deliver the Muscle Buster to Raven for the pinfall. Later in the night, Samoa Joe was involved in a pull-apart brawl with Kurt Angle after Jim Cornette announced that he would be fired if he interfered in the main event match that involved Angle as special enforcer.[37] At Genesis, Joe lost to Angle after tapping out to Angle's ankle lock. This ended his eighteen month undefeated streak.[38] Throughout the rest of 2006 into 2007, Samoa Joe continued to feud with Angle picking up a victory by submission in their rematch at Turning Point,[39] before suffering a legitimate knee injury in a tag team match that pitted Rhino and Kurt Angle against Samoa Joe and A.J. Styles.P.S: samoa joe has a very devestating finisher the muscle buster, also known as muscle breaker which is like a high powerd reverse neck breaker, watch thursday night TNA on spike at 9:00, P.S sting,kurt angle,aj styles, curry man,a stone cold wannabe sharkboy3:16, and many other pro wrestlers are on Total Nonstop Action.

Joe was released October 13, 2008 from TNA so that he could wrestle in Japan

2007–present

On January 14, 2007 at Final Resolution, Samoa Joe faced Angle in a thirty minute Iron Man match. With seconds remaining, Samoa Joe had Angle in the ankle lock. Although Angle tapped out, he did so just after time had expired. As a result, Angle won the match three falls to two.[40]

On the February 14 edition of Impact!, Samoa Joe won a gauntlet match to become the number one contender to Christian Cage's NWA World Heavyweight Championship at Destination X. Samoa Joe lost to Cage after Cage reversed the Coquina Clutch into a pinning combination and used the ropes for leverage.[41] On the May 24 edition of Impact!, Samoa Joe qualified for the King of the Mountain match at Slammiversary by defeating Sting with a Samoan drop after Christopher Daniels hit Sting with a baseball bat; Samoa Joe lost the King of the Mountain match when Kurt Angle hung the belt. He then qualified to compete in the Match of Champions at Victory Road by defeating Jay Lethal and Chris Sabin for the X Division title on the July 12 episode of Impact!.[27] At the Match of Champions, Samoa Joe scored the winning pinfall on Brother Ray after Kurt Angle hit the Angle Slam and won the TNA World Tag Team Championships from Team 3D, making him the first wrestler in TNA to hold multiple TNA championships.[27] He later opted to hold both the titles by himself. At Hard Justice, Samoa Joe put up the X Division title and both Tag Team titles against Kurt Angle's TNA World title as well as the IWGP World Championship (Third Belt). Samoa Joe, however, lost all his titles thanks to interferences by Karen Angle, enabling Kurt to become the second TNA Triple Crown Champion. Samoa Joe became the first man to defeat Christian Cage by pinfall or submission in TNA, forcing him tap out to the Coquina Clutch at Bound for Glory, thus ending Cage's twenty-three month undefeated streak by pinfall or submission in TNA.

Samoa Joe was then announced as the teammate of Kevin Nash and Scott Hall in their match against The Angle Alliance at Turning Point. Hall, however, no-showed the event. Before the match, Samoa Joe was asked to cut a promo alleviating heat from the company and introducing Eric Young as Hall's replacement. Samoa Joe went five minutes overtime and ranted against Hall, Nash and some other superstars, which legitimately upset Nash and TNA President Dixie Carter at ringside. Before calling Young to come to the ring he told the TNA ringside staff, "Are you mad? Go ahead, fire me, I don't care." Samoa Joe, Nash and Young defeated the Angle Alliance when Samoa Joe pinned Tomko after a Muscle Buster. After the match, Samoa Joe and Nash briefly argued and shoved one another backstage, with Samoa Joe apologizing at a talent meeting the following day.[42] On-screen, though, Samoa Joe continued to direct his frustration towards TNA management, going as far as to trash a Christmas party organized by Matt Morgan.

Samoa Joe signing autographs for fans

In storyline, after complaining to Jim Cornette that he did not have a match at Final Resolution, Cornette decided to team Samoa Joe with Kevin Nash, who was to receive a title shot with Scott Hall when he returned. At Final Resolution, Samoa Joe, along with his tag team partner Kevin Nash lost to the team of A.J. Styles and Tomko. This occurred after Nash refused to tag himself into the match leaving Samoa Joe to fend for himself. In addition, Nash "flipped off" Samoa Joe whilst leaving the ringside area. After Nash had screwed Joe at Final Resolution, Nash told Joe he was teaching him a lesson about the wrestling business and told Samoa Joe he could help him to the top if he followed his direction. On the January 24 edition of Impact!, Samoa Joe went on a rampage, attacking several TNA employees, culminating in his attacking of J.B. after being announced as the MVP of 2007.

For months, Samoa Joe was said to be unhappy with his spot in TNA and that he was considering not renewing his contract.[citation needed] TNA used that Internet rumor into a storyline, where Cornette tried to sign him into a new contract, but every week the signature was interrupted. At Against All Odds, Samoa Joe served as the special enforcer for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship match where Kurt Angle defended his title against challenger Christian Cage. During the contest, A.J. Styles interfered and Samoa Joe fought Styles to the back, but Tomko came out and attacked Cage giving Angle the win. On the February 14 edition of Impact, Samoa Joe formed an alliance with Cage and Kevin Nash, to compete with Kurt Angle's Angle Alliance. It was also announced that Samoa Joe would be given the next TNA World Heavyweight Championship opportunity against Angle. Over the next few weeks, Samoa Joe and his new found alliance would attack the Angle Alliance leading up to their match at Destination X. Samoa Joe vowed that he would eliminate the Angle Alliance so he would receive a fair title match with Kurt Angle at Lockdown. On the March 6 edition of Impact!, Samoa Joe, Christian, and Nash faced a member of the Angle Alliance to determine who would get a five minute advantage during their match at Destination X. Joe lost his First Blood match to Tomko, but Nash defeated Styles in a Street Fight while Cage defeated Angle in a Six Sides of Steel match. Samoa Joe's team won the match when he made Tomko tap out to the Coquina Clutch. Achieving his goal to eliminate the Angle Alliance, nothing now stood in the way of Samoa Joe getting a fair title shot at Lockdown.

At Lockdown, Samoa Joe defeated Angle to win his first TNA World Championship and become TNA's third Triple Crown Champion.[27] The stipulation of the match was if Samoa Joe had lost, he would have had to retire from professional wrestling. He successfully defeated Angle in a rematch on Impact! and then retained against Scott Steiner and Kaz at Sacrifice. At Slammiversary, Samoa Joe became the first champion to ever retain his title in a King of the Mountain match.[citation needed] Samoa Joe was then challenged to a match by Booker T at Victory Road, which he accepted. At Victory Road the match went to a No Contest when Sting hit Samoa Joe with a baseball bat and Booker pinned him while Sharmell made the three count. At Hard Justice, Samoa Joe defeated Booker after a guitar shot, thus reclaiming physical possession of the title belt, which Booker had kept after Victory Road. On October 11, 2008, Samoa Joe surpassed Kurt Angle for the longest reign of the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. At Bound for Glory IV, he fought Sting in a losing effort to defend the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, ending his reign at 182 days.

In wrestling

Samoa Joe prepares to deliver a Muscle Buster to Christian Cage.

Championships and accomplishments

  • Ballpark Brawl
    • Natural Heavyweight Championship (1 time)1[46]
  • Extreme Wrestling Federation
    • EWF Xtreme 8 Tournament (2006)[47]
  • Pure Wrestling Association
    • PWA Pure Wrestling Championship (1 time)[43]1
  • Twin Wrestling Entertainment
    • TWE Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[43]
  • United Independent Wrestling Alliance
    • UIWA Tag Team Championship (2 times)[43]

1After being stripped of the title, Samoa Joe's reign was stricken from their records and the title returned to the man Samoa Joe defeated, Eddie Osbourne.[51]

2After winning the championship, Samoa Joe held the title by himself.

Personal life

Joe got married on July 27, 2007.[52]

Seanoa is close friends with fellow wrestlers CM Punk, Homicide, Christopher Daniels, A.J. Styles, Rob Van Dam and John Cena.[15] Seanoa has also appeared on Szatkowski's internet based reality show "RVD TV" numerous times.

Seanoa avidly trains in both Judo and Jiu Jitsu at LA Boxing in Costa Mesa, California. He is often noted as a sparring partner for Team Punishment member Justin McCully and is often in attendance in the lockeroom for Team Punishment fighters such as Tito Ortiz and Kendall Grove, with whom he maintains friendships.

Seanoa was born and raised in Southern California. He resided mainly in Huntington Beach, and split time during his childhood in Ewa Beach, Hawaii.

In an article in Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Samoa Joe claimed to share a distant ancestor with the Anoa'i family, but well before Reverend Amituanai Anoa'i, so he is not a member of the family.[citation needed]

Media

  • Best of Samoa Joe: ROH World Champion [DVD] (2004) Ring of Honor[53]
  • Straight Shootin' with Samoa Joe [DVD] (2004) Ring of Honor[15]
  • Best of Samoa Joe Vol. 2: The Champ is Here [DVD] (2005) Ring of Honor[54]
  • Straight Shootin' with Samoa Joe & CM Punk [DVD] (2005) Ring of Honor[55]
  • Best of Samoa Joe Vol. 3: ROH Legend [DVD] (2006) Ring of Honor[56]
  • Unstoppable: The Best of Samoa Joe [DVD] (2006) Total Nonstop Action Wrestling[6]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Milner, J. (2006-07-09). "Samoa Joe". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  2. ^ Wrestling Observer Live radio, broadcast February 25, 2007
  3. ^ a b c d e "Stats from Joe's TNA profile". TNA Wrestling.com. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  4. ^ http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-olydowney14-2008aug14,0,6012044.story
  5. ^ http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/product.asp?sku=D46877
  6. ^ a b Unstoppable: the Best of Samoa Joe. TNA Home Video. 2006.
  7. ^ Banks, Bill (2005-09-13). "An Exclusive Interview With Samoa Joe". TNAwrestilng.com. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
  8. ^ Hamilton, Ian. Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens To An Industry Without Competition. Lulu Press, 2006. (pg. 67) ISBN 1-4116-1210-8
  9. ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (4th Edition 2006). Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  10. ^ purolove.com. "Zero One 2001 show Results". (translated from German) ZERO-ONE "SHINGEKI":Samoa Joe & Keiji Sakoda defeated Yuki Ishikawa & Katsumi Usuda (16:48)
  11. ^ purolove.com. "Zero One Fire Festival Results (2001)". (translated from German) Kohei Sato [2] defeated Samoa Joe [0] (8:25) with a Cross Armbreaker / Samoa Joe [2] defeated George Takano [1] (5:24) with a Lariat. / Samoa Joe [4] defeated Masato Tanaka [3] (8:00) with the Emerald Frosion
  12. ^ a b "ZERO-1 MAX Intercontinental Tag Team Championship history".
  13. ^ a b "N.W.A. Intercontinental Tag Team Title". Wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
  14. ^ a b c d e f "Ring of Honor official results". Ring of Honor. Retrieved 2007-03-03.
  15. ^ a b c Straight Shootin' with Samoa Joe (DVD). Ring of Honor. 2004.
  16. ^ a b c d "Ring of Honor official title histories". ROH. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  17. ^ a b c wrestling-titles.com. "Ring of Honor Heavyweight Title History".
  18. ^ a b c wrestling-titles.com. "Ring of Honor Pure Title History".
  19. ^ Randazzo, Anthony (October 1, 2005). "ROH in Manhattan: Samoa Joe vs. Kenta Kobashi in match of year candidate". Pro Wrestling Torch.
  20. ^ Vetter, Chris (September 10, 2006). "ROH, "Death Before Dishonor IV"". Pro Wrestling Torch.
  21. ^ "RoH Wrestling news". 2007-03-03. February 2: The huge story of the week is that Samoa Joe announced his farewell tour to ROH in a very emotional promo in the new ROH Video Wire.
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External links