Samoa Joe Interview: Talks about TNA's move to Thursday, Sabu rumor
On Sunday, April 23, 2006 at 1:26 AM EST The following was transcribed by Mr. DFL:
The current, reigning, & defending X-Division Champion, "The Samoan Submission Machine," Samoa Joe was the special guest on this past week's live edition (4/17/05) of Monday Night Mayhem, which can be heard in streaming audio every week (and live from 7-9PM ET every Monday night) exclusively on The Monday Night Mayhem Radio Network (www.MondayNightMayhem.com, www.WrestlingMediaNetwork.com, www.ObsessedWithWrestling.com, www.RadioWrestling.net, www.Dory-Funk.com, & celebrating its 10th Anniversary, www.AudioWrestling.com -- your official home of "The Spring Break Incident" Video-On-Demand, featuring WWE RAW Diva & the hottest member of this past season's edition of ABC's "Dancing With The Stars," Stacy Keibler).
The interview with the former ROH World Heavyweight Champion is now available to hear for FREE in Real Audio!
Here are some of the highlights from the interview provided by the show's senior correspondent, Mr. DFL.
"The Champ is here," echoes through your computer speakers, as "The Samoan Submission Machine" joined The Big Mosh & Blade for his first interview since being crowned the new X-Division Champion last Thursday night on the debut edition of Impact's new timeslot. Mosh & Blade started the interview by asking Joe's thoughts of the hour-long debut. Joe answered by saying that he was going to have to catch the replay, as due to his travel schedule (and as of the airing of this show), he was unable to sit down and watch the entire thing. He has had the opportunity to get the reactions from thousands of fans throughout the world who have caught it -- and their response has been nothing short of overwhelming. TNA's fresh start on Thursday night was simply "unbelievable" and "exceeded everyone's expectations."
In addressing the slight last-minute change in the Lockdown PPV lineup, Joe does not believe that Jushin "Thunder" Liger not being in Orlando this Sunday night is extremely bad for TNA as a whole. Yes, not being able to see him showcase his abilities for the viewing public "sucks" and have him tear down the house against "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels would have been great to see. But, the true disappointment, he believes, was that the fans would have only been able to see him one or two times, and not be able to truly see how great of a worker he is. Joe told Mosh, Blade, & the listening audience to "see what happens in the future with Liger & TNA -- it should be interesting."
The next topic of the interview then turned to a rumor that needed to be addressed & cleared up...regarding Joe's opponent this Sunday night at Lockdown (for the X-Division Championship) --the "homicidal, suicidal, death-defying maniac known the world" over as Sabu, and the possibilities of him no showing the Lockdown event. Joe said the as long as he has known Sabu, he has always been a "true professional." He sees Sabu being there this Sunday night, and sees both himself & Sabu going out there and "kicking ass." Blade & Mosh mentioned the build-up for this match, and how it has been phenomenal -- without Sabu even being there physically to heighten the tensions for the match. Joe agrees, and also believes that with his love of the steel cage, he will put on one of the best matches of his career. He has proven his critics wrong with him "not being able to make it in the X-Division," and will prove them wrong again against Sabu.
Joe is also looking forward to see how comes out of the Christian Cage/Abyss NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match -- as he is still eyeing both down the lines. He is also very intrigued by the "Lethal Lockdown Six Sides Of Steel" match, with Jeff Jarrett, Scott Steiner, & America's Most Wanted vs. Sting, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, "The War Machine" Rhino, & Ron "The Truth" Killings. He is an old-school fan, and remembers the days of the War Games like it was yesterday. Joe also left the Mayhem listeners with a bit of a message for the future, saying he will be watching "the man in black" very carefully. Take that for what that could possibly mean...
Mosh then asked Joe for his thoughts on if the Nielsen ratings would continue for TNA, and if so, what he feels the chances that by the end of the summer that Impact will get a primetime spot. will there be a chance say by the end of summer that TNA will get a prime time spot for IMPACT, Joe believes that as the weeks progress, that the ratings will rise, and that it is everyone's goal in the company to make that happen -- and possibly even the switch to Monday nights. Joe also commended Spike TV's work in pushing & promoting the TNA product with their numerous commercials, press conferences, & grass-roots advertising. They have made the company grow in leaps & bounds.
Switching gears to some WWE talk & fresh of an autograph session this past Thursday at Five-Star Comics, Blade & Mosh asked Joe for his comments on "Mr. Money In The Bank," Rob Van Dam & his recent push over the past few months. Joe feels that RVD is a fantastic wrestler, and he also strongly thinks that whether Van Dam faces John Cena or Triple H at ECW's One Night Stand PPV, that he should win the WWE Championship. He thinks the world of "Mr. Monday Night," would love to see him with some gold, and feels that even though he does not work for the WWE, it would definitely be in the company's best interest to give him the strap.
Joe is extremely excited for Ring Of Honor's 100th show tonight, and is very pleased to see how ROH has made a great name for themselves in the wrestling business. He appreciates Gabe, Carey, & the rest of the Ring Of Honor brass for letting him compete in ROH after all this time, and also wishes to extend the same sentiments towards Dixie Carter & those in TNA for letting him work his usual ROH schedule. Joe said that his involvement in Ring Of Honor is still great after four years, and very grateful for the fans who consistently paying for their tickets, for the boys going out there & busting their butts, and for everyone who has wished them the best of luck. This weekend's show will mean everything to him, and looks forward to the culmination of the ROH/CZW war.
Mosh, Blade, & Joe addressed the possibility of TNA making their talent "exclusive," and what that could mean to the ROH roster. Joe said that he is going to be "in the same place" for the next two years, and does not see any major problems happening soon.
As far as Austin Aries & Roderick Strong making their decision to stay that fateful night in Long Island (due to the snowstorm that rocked the New York City area), that was their choice in the long run. He understands TNA's perspective from a business decision, and respects the suspension they handed out -- even though he feels they got the wrong end of the deal. Joe knows that both members of Generation Next, along with the newer stars of ROH, will help make the company even more successful into the future. Gabe Sapolsky has "scanned the world" for the best, brightest, & hottest talent. Joe said that there will "always be something new, young, fresh, & quick" at a Ring Of Honor event.
With ROH headed to the United Kingdom this August, does Joe expect the company to branch out even further -- possibly to Japan or one of the hottest beds of wrestling over the past few years, Italy? Joe believes that ROH's purpose is to go out there, and simply put on as best a show as possible for the fans there. That could be a stepping stone/launching pad as to what might happen in the future, but does know that the company will never, never overspend themselves or their means.
The Mayhem always loves to clear up the internet rumors, and this was the time to do so once again. Joe said that he did not have a confrontation with former TNA & "Survivor" star, Johnny Fairplay. He asked for tickets to the ROH show the night before WrestleMania 22 in Chicago, came up to pick them up at the event, and then proceeded to say "thank you," and then enjoyed the night's event. Joe has no problems taking credit for "throwing a guy out" if that happens. "Joe is gonna' kill you" is not just a catchphrase, it's not a marketing ploy, it's how he describes his love & passion for the business."
Joe absolutely loves what his good friend, former ROH World Heavyweight Champion, & WWE developmental star, CM Punk, has done so far in Ohio Valley Wrestling. He cannot comment on Punk's east coast ROH farewell or the rumored heat between Vince McMahon, Johnny Ace, & several others -- simply, because he was not there that night. But, Joe did go on to say that Punk is the "most under-used wrestler today, as he's great on the mic & in the squared circle." Joe knows that the WWE has had a track record for not using talent in the proper capacity (such as Jamie Noble's first run with the E & Paul London), but believes that without a shadow of a doubt, that Punk can overcome any obstacles thrown his way. "He won't be a Chicago gangster for long..."
Blade & Mosh also brought up the current WWE Champion John Cena & the mixed reactions that he has been receiving over the past few weeks (since WrestleMania) at shows/televised events. Joe commented on this by saying that John is the "kind of guy that will go out there, put his body & heart into the match, and do exactly what is told." He feels Cena has deserved all of his success, and sees nothing but great things doing into the summer of '06 for "the other champ."
Plenty of other topics were covered in this fantastic 40-minute interview, including: Joe's thoughts on his upcoming "Unstoppable" DVD coming out this June, why ROH is becoming the "next ECW," why he did not watch WrestleMania 22, if we will see Jeff Hardy back in TNA anytime soon, and his message to all of those posers on MySpace pretending to be professional wrestlers! You don't wanna piss Joe off on this one!
We encourage all wrestling fans to check out "The Samoan Submission Machine's" official website (www.SamoaJoe.com), in addition to his official MySpace (www.MySpace.com/Joeism).
Joe will be defending the colors of ROH tonight in Philadelphia for their 100th show, as Team Ring Of Honor (Joe, BJ Whitmer, & Adam Pierce) will square off against CZW's Chris Hero, Necro Butcher, & Super Dragon in a Six-Man War, with no rules! Log onto www.ROHWrestling.com for more details on tonight's epic event!
Also, don't forget to tune in LIVE this Sunday night on Pay-Per-View, as the "Six Sides Of Steel" is returning to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling! Joe will be defending his X-Division Championship against Sabu! Head on over to www.TNAWrestling.com for the complete lineup on what to expect at Lockdown!
Check out the rest of the 4/17 MNM, as The Mayhem's newest national PPV correspondent & former NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Dory Funk Jr., previews this Sunday's card with The Big Mosh & Blade. And also, two-time Emmy-Award winning comedian & panelist on VH-1's "Best Week Ever," Greg Fitzsimmons joined the program as well. You want to be informed and left in stitches at the same time, then this is the show for you!!!
*Jackie Gayda, Nora "Molly Holly" Greenwald, Mark Jindrak -- what do they all have in common? Former WWE superstars who came to The Mayhem for their first LIVE radio interview after parting ways with World Wrestling Entertainment. Add another name for the record books, as "The Problem Solver" Tyson Tomko will join The Big Mosh & Blade this Monday night for his first interview since leaving the WWE!
Tyson will be competing at his first post-WWE show at the MXPW "Lords Of The Ring" Tournament next Saturday night, April 29th in Boca Raton, FL. For more information on this big event & how to purchase tickets, log onto www.MXPW.net
The Big Mosh & Blade will be asking the questions that wrestling fans want to you, including the very obvious one: why did Tomko make the tough decision to leave World Wrestling Entertainment? The Mayhem & Tomko will also cover Tomko's partnership with Chris Jericho, taking part in last summer's ECW One Night Stand PPV, his takes on the new WWE Talent Wellness Program, & where he sees World Wrestling Entertainment go from this point forward.
Start posting your questions/comments for Tomko on the Uberfun Message Board (located at www.MondayNightMayhem.com), e-mail them to MondayNightMayhem@hotmail.com, or post your musings on the MNM My Space (located at ww.MySpace.com/MondayNightMayhem).
In addition, former WWE announcer, Kevin Kelly, will make his return to the program to break down the WWE RAW Backlash Pay-Per-View. K. Kelly always brings the goods each time on The Mayhem, so this will be one for the ages that you cannot miss!
An absolutely huge show lined up for next Monday night, as "Your Home Of Wrestling Radio" closes out the month of April in style! We'll see you then!
And we encourage all new & old listeners of "Your Home Of Wrestling Radio" to check out some of the archived interviews now available on www.MondayNightMayhem.com, www.ObsessedWithWrestling.com, & www.AudioWrestling.com -- including: the man who returned to RAW this past Monday night, Charlie Haas, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Lance Storm, WWE Hall Of Famer "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers (Jacques "The Mountie" Rougeau & Raymond Rougeau), WWE Hall Of Famer George "The Animal" Steele, NWA World Tag Team Champions America's Most Wanted, Jeff Jarrett, Paul Roma, "The Pitbull" Gary Wolfe, "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels, Chaz, Dave Sahadi, The Warlord, the winner of last year's "Female Interview Of The Year" award, Jackie Gayda, Chris Kanyon, Axl Rotten, and many more!
You can feel The Mayhem (live & worldwide) each & every Monday night on The Monday Night Mayhem Radio Network (www.MondayNightMayhem.com, www.WrestlingMediaNetwork.com, www.RadioWrestling.net, www.Dory-Funk.com, & www.AudioWrestling.com) and archived as well on www.ObsessedWithWrestling.com.