Samoa Joe Vacates WWE NXT Title

Samoa Joe has vacated the WWE NXT Championship due to injuries.

Joe released a video on Twitter Sunday evening, announcing he was relinquishing the NXT title after WWE medical informed him that due to “certain injuries” he will have to step away from the ring for a brief amount of time. Below is his full statement:

Recently WWE medical has informed me that due to certain injuries, they’d like to have me step away from the ring for a brief, but indeterminate amount of time. I realize this week we are on the cusp of a new NXT, we are on the brink of a new era in our history, and that era deserves a fighting champion. That’s why it makes a difficult decision very easy to make. Effective immediately, I relinquish the NXT championship. Best of luck to those who will vie for it. My sincerest condolences to whoever wins, because I will be along shortly to recollect what is mine.

Samoa Joe had won the title at NXT TakeOver 36 after he defeated Karrion Kross.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

SPOILER: Triple H Reveals What Will Happen With NXT Championship Due To Ciampa’s Injury

SPOILER:

The NXT Championship match at TakeOver: New York has been confirmed following an injury that forced Tommaso Ciampa to relinquish the title.

Triple H announced at the NXT TV tapings on Wednesday that Johnny Gargano would face-off at TakeOver next month in a title match against the winner of Ricochet vs. Adam Cole vs. Aleister Black vs. Velveteen Dream vs. Matt Riddle moments later in the taping — which was won by Cole.

The NXT title match at TakeOver between Cole and Gargano will be two-out-of-three falls.

At the beginning of Triple H’s promo, the WWE exec admitted he had planned on announcing Gargano vs. Ciampa for the NXT Championship at TakeOver … but that obviously could no longer happen due to Tommaso suffering a neck injury that required surgery.

As we previously reported, Ciampa underwent surgery last week.

Tommaso Ciampa To Undergo Neck Surgery, Set To Be Out Of Action “For A Long, Long Time”

Last month, reports surfaced of NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa is currently dealing with a neck injury that has forced him out of some appearances outside of WWE and even caused a re-write for RAW two weeks ago. Along with Johnny Gargano, the duo was initially scheduled to be involved in a Fatal 4-Way tag match, but were instead taken off the show completely.

On the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, it’s being reported that Ciampa is going to have neck surgery in the next couple of days. He’s not going to be in the ring for a “long, long time,” but the exact amount of time wasn’t known at this point. Dave Meltzer speculated – based on the history of neck surgeries – that Ciampa could be out anywhere from 6 to 14 months.

Ciampa will have to vacate the title and the expected TakeOver: New York match between him and Gargano obviously won’t happen either. WWE had originally hoped Ciampa could work through the injury to get by WrestleMania weekend, but things have worsened in the past week to change that plan.

Stories leading to TakeOver: New York most likely will be adjusted on next Wednesday’s NXT TV tapings.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Title Steel Cage Match Announced

Image result for NXT Championship Nakamura vs Samoa Joe - Australia

It has been announced that Samoa Joe will get his rematch against new NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura on Dec. 8th in Melbourne, Australia. The match will take place inside a steel cage.