Samoa Joe On Being Sidelined Due To A Concussion

Joe has been out for over a year now.

Samoa Joe has not worked a match since February 2nd of last year. Joe had a run of injuries culminating with a concussion suffered during a commercial shoot for Monday Night RAW. Since Joe has been placed on commentary. Many questions have been asked on why Joe has not returned to the ring yet and he spoke all about that recently.

While speaking with Uproxx, Joe talked about his last concussion and taking things slow regarding his comeback. Joe stated that regarding concussions a lot of new things have been learned over the past decade. Joe talked about WWE actually caring about his health and not wanting him to rush back too soon.

“I think right now, we’ve learned a lot medically about concussions and recovery and we’re taking the safest and the best approach and I appreciate it.  WWE medical, they’ve been great and understanding and wonderful. So I think at this time we’re just taking the best course of action and obviously some things have been delayed just because of the pandemic and medical availability and liability of being in places and traveling to get evaluations and stuff. So, I mean, there’s been some technical holdups as well as just a very careful approach to my return and recovery and I appreciate it. And I’m all aboard, you know? I would rather take this time and miss a large considerable amount of time than potentially this getting more serious. It took (WWE) a lot to talk me down. But after seeing medically, you know, what I’ve seen, I agree with them. And we’re just taking our time with it and trying to do right.

The understanding (of concussions) has evolved so much in 10 years. Even now, the protocol is constantly being tweaked with the newest information. Obviously this is an issue across many sports and many sports across the board are working together to find the best solution. There’s technology and science involved and because of that, hopefully we’re dealing with this situation better than we have in the past, but I am my own worst enemy in this aspect, where I just want to shake it off. I have people that depend on me and you see these other things that could happen. I had to realize that I have to start listening because I have to honor these responsibilities to people, both professionally, personally, everybody. It’s very, very difficult when you come from a state of always wanting to charge forward, wanting to go harder and fight through. And this series we’re doing now preaches those very qualities of understanding when it’s time to take care of yourself.”

It is still unclear how much longer it will take before we see the Samoan Submission machine back in the ring. Some in the company have indicated to us that Vince McMahon loves the job Joe has done on commentary and has expressed feelings of wanting to keep Joe in that role even past when he is finally cleared to return to action.

If we do hear anything further on Samoa Joe’s role within the company, we will have it here and on the PWUnlimited YouTube Channel.