PWTorch.com reports that WWE officials were so impressed with Samoa Joe and his merchandise sales that Vince McMahon and Triple H personally pushed for him to sign a full-time WWE contact. PWInsider has confirmed that Joe has signed a full-time deal and that’s why he was at RAW last night, defeating Tyson Kidd in a match before the start of RAW.
The fact that Joe’s appearances for Ring of Honor will now air on national cable TV also played into the decision for WWE to sign him to a full-time deal.
Joe’s current NXT deal reportedly has a clause that would let WWE sign him to a full-time deal. WWE chose to execute that clause this past Thursday after ROH announced their deal with Destination America. Joe and WWE signed an addendum to the original deal, now making Joe a full-time WWE worker.
Even though Joe has now signed a full-time deal with WWE, he will still be fulfilling his indie dates that were booked. ROH has confirmed that Joe will still be working their June 20th TV tapings in New York City, in what appears to be Joe’s final ROH appearance. Absolute Intense Wrestling in Cleveland announced last night that Joe has been added to their July 10th show.
Joe is booked for the big WWE NXT live events in Pittsburgh, PA and Columbus, OH this month. PWInsider reports that Joe is not currently booked for tonight’s SmackDown tapings so unless things change, Joe will not be the one who will answer NXT Champion Kevin Owens open challenge.
Source: WrestlingINC.com
Wrestling News Blog 