Sun Interview with Samoa Joe after his big win
Apr 17, 2008 14:09:32 GMT -5
Post by Byrntrigan on Apr 17, 2008 14:09:32 GMT -5
All -
here's a link to the Sun's site for the interview.
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SUNDAY night was the biggest in Samoa Joe’s life.
At TNA’s Lockdown PPV he won their prestigious world title, becoming the company’s instant figurehead as they seek to step up their wrestling war with WWE.
And seconds after pinning Kurt Angle, Joe gave his first interview as champion to Sun Sport.
Below the Samoan Submission Machine shares his feelings on getting the gold after a long wait, his shoot promo on TNA’s older wrestlers and whether he’d ever jump ship and work for Vince McMahon.
Congratulations Joe. You must be on top of the world?
At this moment, after going through that match, I psychically like s***.
But championship s*** so I don’t mind.
It feels a million times better than I thought it would.
This is definitely the biggest and the best thing I’ve ever achieved and I look forward to what the future brings.
Bring the world on!
How about the future for TNA as a company? Lockdown set records as your biggest show ever.
It feels good.
I’ve been a part of a lot of companies in their building phases, and I’m a big fan of that because that’s the most exciting time.
It’s one thing to walk into one and have it already established, and already be riding the tide that was set years and years ago.
So it’s good to be here from the ground level and attendances are getting better and better, which is a testament to all our hard work.
When your opponent tonight, Kurt Angle, came on our WrestleCast he said TNA have waited too long to put the belt on you, and most people in the company I speak to feel the same way. Would you agree?
I’ve really never been concerned with that.
A lot of fans say this title run is long overdue and that they can’t believe TNA haven’t given it to me until now.
But, for me, that’s part of the build and anticipation.
When things are overdue, and the fans want it bad enough, then that’s the time to make it happen.
CHAMP ... at Lockdown
There were a few points early on in your TNA career where you were super popular with the fans. Did you ever go to Jeff Jarrett or Dixie Carter at those moments and ask for the title?
No, because I’m a firm believer that if you rise too fast then you also fall very very quickly afterwards.
We needed a bit of time to flesh out my character.
And within the past few weeks, people have got a better feel for the complete me.
That’s why I didn’t have any qualms about waiting to be in this spot.
Back in the day I was really just a big mean dude, who didn’t talk very much and punched everybody in the face.
That’s all fun and good, but after a while it gets a bit tiresome.
It wasn’t right time to get the title.
Recent TNA champions include Kurt Angle, Christian and Sting. When you’re out with those guys, do you get recognised as much?
In the past six months I’ve been catching them, but no one can match the level of global recognition some of our guys have.
I was talking to Booker T about it and he would tell me how he’d get out of parking tickets because cops would pull him over and let him off because he was Booker T.
When you’ve been in America’s, and the world’s, homes every week for 16 years then you’re absolutely one of the most recognised people out there, even more so than most celebrities.
How can you see yourself and the other TNA homegrown talent getting to that level?
It’s going to be a slow steady process.
The company has hopes of brilliant leaps and bounds in a short space of time, but in reality it takes years to build that fan base and recognition.
When Scott Hall no-showed the Turning Point PPV you got on the house mic and cut a shoot promo attacking the older wrestlers “padding their pensions”. It upset many including Kevin Nash. Looking back now, do you regret what you said?
It was a tough situation and I admit, at that point in time, I was extremely frustrated.
I have never been one to hold my tongue on things, so I just let loose.
I went out there and told everyone how I felt.
And, honestly, looking back now I regret a few of the things I said and some of the things I don’t.
At the same time, I think it needed to get out and for me personally it cleared a lot of things and paved a new road.
It’s funny because after it all went down, within in a matter of weeks, me and Kevin Nash reconnected and it worked out well.
Everybody realised I was very serious and intent on what was going on.
And I think I sent a clear message – at TNA we’re here to build and deliver for the fans and we can’t afford not to.
FRIENDS AGAIN ... Joe with Kevin Nash and Christian Cage
What did Kevin say to you afterwards?
We had words.
He was rightfully angry about what had gone down.
He came up to me, said what he said, and a few days later I apologised to everyone in the company.
But Kevin is a good friend of mine – and a really great mentor – so it was important to me that I cleared the air with him.
I hear your apology to the whole locker room was quite emotional.
Not as emotional as everybody played it out.
It was more of a formal apology.
But for the sake of grandeur, and all the drama that wrestling sites play of, I guess that’s what makes the world exciting.
It needed to be said the next day for sure, and I’m glad I said it.
Is there a tension between the guys who built up the company, like you and AJ, and the big ex-WWE stars who came in?
It’s not so much that, because I think people like to categorise.
I would have made that speech if anybody did what Scott did, even if it was AJ.
It’s just a matter of giving fans what they pay to see.
When I get irate, there are no breaks. I’m a very switch on/switch off person.
And in that aspect I was totally at fault.
But I feel strongly about the company and my work, and I don’t apologise for that at all.
If TNA wanted to bring Scott Hall, would you welcome him?
Absolutely.
If he was ready to come in, and on top form, there’s no doubt.
The man’s had an illustrious career and made a lot of money. He’s still got an entrenched fan base out there who really enjoy his work.
So if he’s ready to come back in and contribute then I’d welcome him with open arms.
Before TNA you made your name as champion in Ring Of Honor. Did you enjoy working there?
I had a really great time in Ring Of Honor, and I’m still really good friends with a lot of people down there.
I hope they continue to do well, as it provides one more great place for fans and wrestlers.
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Could we see Samoa Joe return to ROH for a one-off main event match?
Never say never.
The main stumbling point right now is that my schedule is so full, it would be impossible to clear any time to go back.
But TNA and ROH seem to be coming to an agreement and I know there’s talk of sending our guys down there, so you never know.
There’s nothing in the works right now, so I don’t want to whet anyone’s appetite, but it’s a possibility.
When you watch Ring Of Honor, are there any wrestlers you’d love to see in TNA?
Definitely The Briscos, they are phenomenal performers who work their asses off every night and they’re great guys.
Nigel is another top candidate and I’d love to have Austin and Rocky back.
They’d all be a great fit.
How about WWE guys?
Honestly, I rarely watch WWE so it’s hard for me to say.
It’s no secret that me and CM Punk are good friends, so it would be great to have him around. But he loves it in WWE and is having a great time there,
Punk won the Money In The Bank match at WrestleMania, so there’s a point this year where you two former indie standouts could hold the world championships of wrestling’s two major companies.
Yeah and we’ve talked about that.
It would be unusual if we’re both on top at the same time, but then we’ve kind of have a weird parallel lives kind of thing.
And I’m sure Gabe has already got an action packed Stars Of ROH DVD on the go to capitalise – and more power to him.
Finally when I watch WWE, like most fans, I think of dream matches you could have with the likes of Umaga, Triple H and their champions Randy Orton and Undertaker. Have you ever thought about going over there? Have you been approached?
We’ve had talks.
Right now, for where I’m at in my career and the position I’m in, TNA is better for me.
As a performer you always want to work with everybody and get a shot at doing everything.
But I’m in no real rush.
I really enjoy working in TNA.
And now I’ve got the belt – it’s time to make a legacy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
He speaks on going to WWE (Damn you Triple Angle! Damn you to Hell~!), going back to ROH, his swork promo back 6 months ago and more.
He comes across as a rather intelligent well spoken man. Good read as allways from the Sun.
here's a link to the Sun's site for the interview.
-------------------------------------------------------
SUNDAY night was the biggest in Samoa Joe’s life.
At TNA’s Lockdown PPV he won their prestigious world title, becoming the company’s instant figurehead as they seek to step up their wrestling war with WWE.
And seconds after pinning Kurt Angle, Joe gave his first interview as champion to Sun Sport.
Below the Samoan Submission Machine shares his feelings on getting the gold after a long wait, his shoot promo on TNA’s older wrestlers and whether he’d ever jump ship and work for Vince McMahon.
Congratulations Joe. You must be on top of the world?
At this moment, after going through that match, I psychically like s***.
But championship s*** so I don’t mind.
It feels a million times better than I thought it would.
This is definitely the biggest and the best thing I’ve ever achieved and I look forward to what the future brings.
Bring the world on!
How about the future for TNA as a company? Lockdown set records as your biggest show ever.
It feels good.
I’ve been a part of a lot of companies in their building phases, and I’m a big fan of that because that’s the most exciting time.
It’s one thing to walk into one and have it already established, and already be riding the tide that was set years and years ago.
So it’s good to be here from the ground level and attendances are getting better and better, which is a testament to all our hard work.
When your opponent tonight, Kurt Angle, came on our WrestleCast he said TNA have waited too long to put the belt on you, and most people in the company I speak to feel the same way. Would you agree?
I’ve really never been concerned with that.
A lot of fans say this title run is long overdue and that they can’t believe TNA haven’t given it to me until now.
But, for me, that’s part of the build and anticipation.
When things are overdue, and the fans want it bad enough, then that’s the time to make it happen.
CHAMP ... at Lockdown
There were a few points early on in your TNA career where you were super popular with the fans. Did you ever go to Jeff Jarrett or Dixie Carter at those moments and ask for the title?
No, because I’m a firm believer that if you rise too fast then you also fall very very quickly afterwards.
We needed a bit of time to flesh out my character.
And within the past few weeks, people have got a better feel for the complete me.
That’s why I didn’t have any qualms about waiting to be in this spot.
Back in the day I was really just a big mean dude, who didn’t talk very much and punched everybody in the face.
That’s all fun and good, but after a while it gets a bit tiresome.
It wasn’t right time to get the title.
Recent TNA champions include Kurt Angle, Christian and Sting. When you’re out with those guys, do you get recognised as much?
In the past six months I’ve been catching them, but no one can match the level of global recognition some of our guys have.
I was talking to Booker T about it and he would tell me how he’d get out of parking tickets because cops would pull him over and let him off because he was Booker T.
When you’ve been in America’s, and the world’s, homes every week for 16 years then you’re absolutely one of the most recognised people out there, even more so than most celebrities.
How can you see yourself and the other TNA homegrown talent getting to that level?
It’s going to be a slow steady process.
The company has hopes of brilliant leaps and bounds in a short space of time, but in reality it takes years to build that fan base and recognition.
When Scott Hall no-showed the Turning Point PPV you got on the house mic and cut a shoot promo attacking the older wrestlers “padding their pensions”. It upset many including Kevin Nash. Looking back now, do you regret what you said?
It was a tough situation and I admit, at that point in time, I was extremely frustrated.
I have never been one to hold my tongue on things, so I just let loose.
I went out there and told everyone how I felt.
And, honestly, looking back now I regret a few of the things I said and some of the things I don’t.
At the same time, I think it needed to get out and for me personally it cleared a lot of things and paved a new road.
It’s funny because after it all went down, within in a matter of weeks, me and Kevin Nash reconnected and it worked out well.
Everybody realised I was very serious and intent on what was going on.
And I think I sent a clear message – at TNA we’re here to build and deliver for the fans and we can’t afford not to.
FRIENDS AGAIN ... Joe with Kevin Nash and Christian Cage
What did Kevin say to you afterwards?
We had words.
He was rightfully angry about what had gone down.
He came up to me, said what he said, and a few days later I apologised to everyone in the company.
But Kevin is a good friend of mine – and a really great mentor – so it was important to me that I cleared the air with him.
I hear your apology to the whole locker room was quite emotional.
Not as emotional as everybody played it out.
It was more of a formal apology.
But for the sake of grandeur, and all the drama that wrestling sites play of, I guess that’s what makes the world exciting.
It needed to be said the next day for sure, and I’m glad I said it.
Is there a tension between the guys who built up the company, like you and AJ, and the big ex-WWE stars who came in?
It’s not so much that, because I think people like to categorise.
I would have made that speech if anybody did what Scott did, even if it was AJ.
It’s just a matter of giving fans what they pay to see.
When I get irate, there are no breaks. I’m a very switch on/switch off person.
And in that aspect I was totally at fault.
But I feel strongly about the company and my work, and I don’t apologise for that at all.
If TNA wanted to bring Scott Hall, would you welcome him?
Absolutely.
If he was ready to come in, and on top form, there’s no doubt.
The man’s had an illustrious career and made a lot of money. He’s still got an entrenched fan base out there who really enjoy his work.
So if he’s ready to come back in and contribute then I’d welcome him with open arms.
Before TNA you made your name as champion in Ring Of Honor. Did you enjoy working there?
I had a really great time in Ring Of Honor, and I’m still really good friends with a lot of people down there.
I hope they continue to do well, as it provides one more great place for fans and wrestlers.
Advertisement
Could we see Samoa Joe return to ROH for a one-off main event match?
Never say never.
The main stumbling point right now is that my schedule is so full, it would be impossible to clear any time to go back.
But TNA and ROH seem to be coming to an agreement and I know there’s talk of sending our guys down there, so you never know.
There’s nothing in the works right now, so I don’t want to whet anyone’s appetite, but it’s a possibility.
When you watch Ring Of Honor, are there any wrestlers you’d love to see in TNA?
Definitely The Briscos, they are phenomenal performers who work their asses off every night and they’re great guys.
Nigel is another top candidate and I’d love to have Austin and Rocky back.
They’d all be a great fit.
How about WWE guys?
Honestly, I rarely watch WWE so it’s hard for me to say.
It’s no secret that me and CM Punk are good friends, so it would be great to have him around. But he loves it in WWE and is having a great time there,
Punk won the Money In The Bank match at WrestleMania, so there’s a point this year where you two former indie standouts could hold the world championships of wrestling’s two major companies.
Yeah and we’ve talked about that.
It would be unusual if we’re both on top at the same time, but then we’ve kind of have a weird parallel lives kind of thing.
And I’m sure Gabe has already got an action packed Stars Of ROH DVD on the go to capitalise – and more power to him.
Finally when I watch WWE, like most fans, I think of dream matches you could have with the likes of Umaga, Triple H and their champions Randy Orton and Undertaker. Have you ever thought about going over there? Have you been approached?
We’ve had talks.
Right now, for where I’m at in my career and the position I’m in, TNA is better for me.
As a performer you always want to work with everybody and get a shot at doing everything.
But I’m in no real rush.
I really enjoy working in TNA.
And now I’ve got the belt – it’s time to make a legacy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
He speaks on going to WWE (Damn you Triple Angle! Damn you to Hell~!), going back to ROH, his swork promo back 6 months ago and more.
He comes across as a rather intelligent well spoken man. Good read as allways from the Sun.