Samoa Joe knows the clock is ticking on his wrestling career, and he’s already thinking about what he wants to leave behind before he finally calls it quits.
While speaking with CBS Sports, Joe reflected on the final stage of his career and made it clear that his focus is shifting toward giving something back to the wrestling business that gave him so much over nearly three decades.
Joe explained that his career has taken him all over the world, introduced him to countless people and given him experiences he never expected when he first broke into professional wrestling.
“Really, it was this grand adventure that I got to meet a ton of cool people and go to a ton of cool places and learn to love the world, which is a rare opportunity.”
Joe said traveling for wrestling also gave him a different perspective on the world and the people in it.
“If anybody ever gets to literally travel the world and understand that, it’s a beautiful place. There are a lot of places that have a lot of love for you, as long as you have the best intentions.”
That is a big reason why Joe doesn’t seem interested in spending the final chapter of his career chasing recognition or acting like the business still owes him something. Instead, he’s thinking about how he can give some of that experience back before he’s done. Joe summed up his mindset with one line that says a lot about where his head is at right now.
“I like to sprinkle a little bit back before I’m done and hopefully leave the pro wrestling industry a much better place than I found it.”
Joe’s comments fit with the way he has talked about leadership and younger talent. Rather than trying to force old-school rules on the next generation, Joe has emphasized earning respect, helping wrestlers grow and passing along what he’s learned from decades in the business.
Samoa Joe still has plenty left to do inside the ring, but it’s obvious he’s already thinking beyond wins, losses and championships. Before the curtain comes down, he wants to make sure he leaves something behind for the people who come next.
What do you think about Samoa Joe wanting to give back to wrestling before retirement? Do you think his influence on younger talent could end up being just as important as his in-ring career? Let us know what you think.
