Just three weeks after reclaiming the title at NXT TakeOver 36, WWE superstar Samoa Joe has confirmed that he is relinquishing the NXT Championship.
Joe, real name Nuufolau Joel Seanoa, made the announcement in a video shared to his Twitter account. The Samoan Submission Machine cites continued medical concerns that will require yet another leave of absence from the ring as his reason for choosing to vacate the NXT title. Notably, this announcement also comes just days before WWE’s third brand turns over a new leaf, with the Sept. 14 episode of NXT slated to introduce a new logo, set and creative direction.
“Hello, I’m NXT Champion Samoa Joe,” the wrestler said to open the video. “Upon my recent return, my goals were very simple. I sought to ensure the respect and integrity due to both NXT and its championship. I sought to ensure that everybody understood that the needs of one individual will never outstrip the sum of the brand. Today, I find myself having to stand on those principles. Recently, WWE medical has informed me that, due to certain injuries, they would like to have me step away from the ring for a brief, yet still indeterminant amount of time.”
He continued, “I realize that this week we are on the cusp of a new NXT. We are on the brink of a new era in our history. And I realize that that era deserves a fighting champion. And that’s why it makes this very difficult decision very easy to make. Effective immediately, I relinquish the NXT Championship. Best of luck to those who will vie for it. And my sincerest condolences to whoever wins, ’cause I will be along shortly to collect what’s mine.” WWE itself soon relayed news of Joe vacating the NXT Championship, confirming that the future of the title would be addressed on this Tuesday’s episode of NXT.
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