Just last week, former WWE world champion AJ Styles mentioned that it was his former Impact Wrestling nemesis samoa joe that opened up the way for him to make it in the WWE. Now, Samoa Joe is returning the compliments. In a recent interview with Press of Atlantic City, Joe said that he isn't surprised to see both AJ Styles and Bobby Roode in the WWE now.
Samoa Joe on AJ Styles and Bobby Roode
When it comes to the arrival of both AJ Styles on the main roster and Bobby Roode in NXT, Samoa Joe said that there is no surprise to see the two men in the WWE.
Both Styles and Roode are TNA originals, both members of the company when they started up so many years ago. Joe joined TNA a short time later after serving as the longest-reigning Ring of Honor world champion of all time. Now, all three men are in the WWE, along with another TNA original in Eric Young and another former Impact Wrestling world champion in Austin Aries. Not only are they all in the WWE, but they all kept their names and identities. The idea that all three men are now in the WWE tells Samoa Joe that the cream always rises to the top and the best in the business will always find their way to the WWE, which he calls the biggest stage in the world for professional wrestlers.
The success of Joe, Styles, and Roode
The most successful of the three men in the WWE is easily AJ Styles. Unlike Samoa Joe and Bobby Roode, Styles made his debut straight to the WWE main roster. Styles debut was at the "Royal Rumble" and then he feuded with legend Chris Jericho before winning the WWE world title from Dean Ambrose and beating John Cena on more than one occasion.
Meanwhile, Samoa Joe made debut in NXT and was the first man to win the NXT title twice. He has since made his debut on the main roster as a part of the main event angle with Triple H as his benefactor. Just like Joe, Bobby Roode also made his debut in NXT and is the current NXT champion, with a title defense at the TakeOver event the weekend before "WrestleMania 33."
