Currently on the injured list for an unknown amount of time due to a plantar fascia rupture – a type of foot injury – Samoa Joe could still be healed up in time for WWE’s biggest show of the year, meaning “The Samoan Submission Machine” may yet get his chance to debut on “The Grandest Stage of Them All”.
As one of the premier in-ring performers in the world, “The Destroyer” would make a great opponent for just about anybody; let’s have a look at 5 candidates who could match up well with the big man.
1. Low Ki
On October 5th 2002, at Ring of Honor’s Glory By Honor event, the wrestling world was treated to a true war of attrition between two of the finest young indie talents in America. Famously regarded as looking more like an MMA fight than a typical pro-wrestling match, the bout served as a coming out party for the two “Enfant Terribles”, and would establish Joe and Ki as two of the hardest hitting performers in recent memory.
A rematch between the two might seem like an odd choice for WrestleMania, considering Low Ki hasn’t been in WWE since his time as Kaval in 2010. However, if the two old enemies were allocated a decent amount of time, I believe they could create the kind of martial arts infused, shoot-style brawl that hasn’t really been seen before at “The Ultimate Thrill Ride”.
2. Seth Rollins
Last year, Samoa Joe created a sort of “Shield Killer” mythos around himself; he made his WWE debut on January 30th 2017 by attacking Seth Rollins, reinjuring the right knee of “The Architect”. Joe then went on to handily defeat Roman Reigns numerous times in singles matches, often boasting about said victories in many scathing promos aimed at his fellow Polynesian. “The Destroyer” capped off 2017 by kayfabe-injuring the right arm of Dean Ambrose on December 18th, ruining Dean and Seth’s tag title run.
With Dean injured and Roman apparently being set to face Brock Lesnar, a Mania match with Seth could make for some very entertaining viewing. By having Joe openly boast about being “the man that ruined the Shield’s reunion”, the master of the Muscle Buster could draw some Human Torch-like heat – in turn making “The Kingslayer” look all the more heroic.
3. Mark Henry
As Mark poignantly said to his old friend The Godfather on the 25th anniversary of Raw – “we all grew up”.
With a WWE career spanning 22 years, Mark Henry is one of the company’s true OGs. Having recently talked about retirement, many fans feel that “The World’s Strongest Man” deserves a send-off befitting of a true legend – where better than WrestleMania 34?
A big part of a wrestler moving on from in-ring competition is how they choose to pass the torch. In the case of Mr. Henry, who better to hand over the keys to the Hall of Pain than “The Destroyer”?
Another big, intimidating presence who – like Henry – brings a sense of grittiness and street-life infused badassery to his character work, Joe would bring the best out of Mark both in the ring and on the mic.
If it is time for “Sexual Chocolate” to hang up his boots, a slug fest with another charismatic powerhouse on the biggest PPV of the year would no doubt be a fine way to close the career of the future Hall of Famer.
4. Kurt Angle
Easily Kurt’s biggest rival over the last decade, Samoa Joe has been in numerous classic battles with the Olympic gold medallist, including their notorious MMA-style cage match from TNA Lockdown 2007.
Having never fought in a WWE-owned ring, the two former TNA World Champions could weave a lot of pre-existing history into the build-up for this Mania encounter, without having to mention the formerly Dixie Carter led company, of course.
Before his untimely injury, Joe had numerous clashes with Kurt’s on screen son Jason Jordan. Acting as a bully of sorts to the youngster, Joe never received his comeuppance for his attacks on JJ. While Jason himself might seem like the better candidate to exact his own revenge, one might risk turning Joe face by having him engage in an extended feud with a heat magnet like Jordan. Having his dad literally fight his own battle for him would also help add extra fire to the slow burning JJ heel turn.
5. John Cena
Most long time Joe fans will have heard the awesome old school stories about Cena, Joe and Frankie Kazarian entertaining themselves during long drives by spitting freestyle rhymes.
Before his injury, many were touting Joe as the number one promo guy in WWE. A feud with Cena over WrestleMania season would therefore no doubt produce many intense promos and angles. With both men being elite big match performers, as well as real life pals, a Mania encounter between the two could be the kind of barn burner that would cement Joe as one of the top men in WWE.
Let’s be honest, whose mouth doesn’t water at the prospect of Cena vs. Joe in a rap battle?
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