Former AEW World Champion Sidelined Indefinitely
Samoa Joe’s absence from AEW programming has been clarified with a concerning update regarding his health. According to Fightful Select, the former World Champion is currently in concussion protocol following a non-contact injury sustained during training. This confirms the announcement made on last week’s Dynamite that Joe was not cleared for competition, though no specific timeline for his return has been provided.
Joe had been a focal point of AEW’s main event scene, but his injury has forced a shift in creative plans. Andrade El Idolo has effectively taken Joe’s spot in top-tier storylines, including a high-profile feud with Swerve Strickland and an upcoming number one contender’s match against “Hangman” Adam Page at Grand Slam Australia.
In the wake of Joe’s absence, leadership of his faction, “The Opps,” has officially been passed to HOOK. The “Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil” will now lead the group, which currently includes Katsuyori Shibata, as they navigate the landscape without their founding member.
