It has become one of the most beloved and viral spots in modern wrestling: an opponent goes for a high-risk dive to the outside, only for Samoa Joe to calmly sidestep the move and walk away as they crash and burn. During a recent interview, the “Samoan Submission Machine” revealed the surprising origin of his famous “walkaway” or “nope” spot, explaining that it started as a simple joke.
Samoa Joe on The Origin of The Walkaway
Speaking on the Talk Is Jericho podcast, Samoa Joe was asked about the now-iconic spot. He explained that what has become a signature part of his arsenal originally began as an inside joke, or a “rib,” in the locker room. However, the spot got such a great reaction that other wrestlers started specifically asking for him to do it in their matches.
“It started out as a rib, and then guys started requesting it because they just liked it,” Joe revealed.
The spot perfectly encapsulates Joe’s persona: a calm, calculating, and utterly destructive force who has no time for his opponent’s flashy but ineffective offense. What began as a joke quickly became a key part of his character presentation.
A Victim of Its Own Success?
The walkaway spot became so popular and requested by his opponents that Joe joked he has now stopped doing it as much. It became a viral sensation, with clips of the spot consistently getting millions of views online. The popularity of the move is a testament to Joe’s mastery of character and in-ring psychology, as he is able to get a massive reaction from the crowd by doing almost nothing at all.
“I think it gets requested by people more that I won’t actually do it now [laughs],” he said. “Everyone has an idea on how to riff on it. It started as a rib, but now I guess it’s a thing.”
What’s Next for Samoa Joe?
Samoa Joe is currently one-third of the AEW World Trios Champions, alongside his partners in The Opps. He was recently taken out of action by the Death Riders faction at the All In Texas event last month. This storyline injury has allowed him to take some time off from the ring to promote the upcoming second season of the Peacock series, Twisted Metal, where he provides the body for the iconic character Sweet Tooth. The first three episodes of the new season are streaming now. Fans are eagerly awaiting Joe’s return to AEW television, where he will undoubtedly be looking for revenge on the Death Riders.
From a simple locker room joke to a viral sensation, Samoa Joe’s walkaway spot is a perfect example of how a small character moment can become an iconic part of a wrestler’s identity, proving that sometimes, the smartest move is no move at all.
