As the physical form of the iconic Sweet Tooth, wrestling legend and former AEW World Champion Samoa Joe has brought the imposing presence to the killer clown known as Needles Kane. Recently, Joe returned to AEW, after filming season three of the show, but as a new interview with Craig Altman of Grace Family Church has uncovered, the role was meant to be, from on high or otherwise.
Joe, real name Nuufolau Joel Seanoa, was let go from WWE in the fall of 2021, just months after making his comeback in NXT and being on commentary for WrestleMania that year. According to Joe (transcription by Jeremy Lambert of Fightful):
“It was a rough morning; obviously, it’s tough to explain how that happened in a matter of a few weeks. I remember looking at my wife and saying, ‘I got fired.’ I remember her looking up at me and going, ‘It’s alright. God’s got this. We’re going to be fine. We prayed on this. It’s going to work out.’ It took me years to get to this point, but I looked back at her with the utmost confidence and I knew she was absolutely right. Fast forward to four hours later, I received a phone call from a friend I hadn’t spoken to for 15 years. He says, ‘Listen, I don’t know what your schedule is. I don’t know if you’re busy, but I’m doing a new TV show for Peacock. I’d love you to come in and star in it. Please, will you send me an audition tape? I think you’re the right guy for the job. Lo and behold, I started Twisted Metal. Went back into the room, looked at my wife and said, ‘Well, I’m now starring in a TV series. I think everything is okay.’ She said, ‘I told you it would all work out."
And work out it did, as Joe would also join AEW and its sister promotion Ring of Honor Wrestling in the spring of 2022, racking up several championships including a pair of AEW World Title runs, carrying the TNT and ROH Television Championships simultaneously, and captaining The Opps as he does now.
His next challenge in the ring is against Jack Perry in a Clockwork Carnage qualifier this Tuesday on Grand Slam: France, though no official release date for season three of Twisted Metal has been announced at time of publication.
