Samoa Joe recently spoke with NOLA.com to promote this weekend’s WWE NXT live events in New Orleans and below are some interview highlights:
On his current role in NXT:
“My inclusion in NXT from the start was to spearhead it as a stable brand in the WWE Universe. Me being a designated locker room leader, I take the responsibility very, very seriously. I hope to continue extending the brand even beyond its current bounds.
“Some of these guys, it’s their first opportunity to see the rest of the country. The enthusiasm when you have such a younger roster is tenfold. And to be around them when it’s their first time is kind of invigorating, and the energy is infectious. It even manages to seep into me a little bit.”
On possibly facing top WWE main roster talents:
“I have so much history with so much of the roster up there. A.J. Styles, John Cena, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn. … Brock Lesnar, a guy I don’t have any history with but I’d love to get in the ring with. … Randy Orton, another guy who we’ve kind of run parallel but have never crossed paths. I would definitely love to get in the ring with him and mix it up.
“The options and potential is limitless. To me and to a lot of fans these options are really incredible matches in the making. … Rusev, there’s another guy who I’d love to go after.”
On facing Shinsuke Nakamura at NXT Takeover Back to Brooklyn:
“I’ve known Shin since he first started in wrestling, and his accolades speak for themselves. He’s reignited any company he’s ever been with, and coming into NXT, he’s definitely added a lot of flame to our fire. But he says he’s the King of Strong Style. When you look at the history of wrestling and you see who brought the techniques and the style that was so prolific in Japan here to the United States, it was me. … For him to say he’s the King, by default, that makes me the Emperor.”
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
