Samoa Joe is headed back to the ring.
On Tuesday's NXT, it was made official; Samoa Joe will challenge Karrion Kross for the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver 36 on August 22.
Joe and Kross have been on a collision course since Joe returned in June and was confronted by Kross. Kross choked out Joe, who was serving as the special guest referee, following Kross' title defense over Johnny Gargano two weeks ago. Last week, Joe was searching for Kross when it was revealed Kross had taken out Regal.
Instead of firing Kross for his actions, Joe handed in his resignation as Regal's assistant to become an in-ring competitor once again, wanting to face Kross at NXT TakeOver 36. Regal accepted Joe's proposal, making the NXT Championship match official.
"@WWEKarrionKross, you're too much of a gutless coward to be in the building... So, Mr. @RealKingRegal, will you join me in the ring now." - @SamoaJoe #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/cFNKsm0Q2P
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) July 28, 2021
-- #WWENXT
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) July 28, 2021
(via @WWENXT)pic.twitter.com/Wlupk1Az5w
Step 3: @RealKingRegal makes @WWEKarrionKross vs. @SamoaJoe for the #NXTTitle at #NXTTakeOver 36 OFFICIAL.
— WWE (@WWE) July 28, 2021
Signed. Sealed. DELIVERED. #TickTock #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/Dz2ibNSBeO
This would mark Joe's first match since the February 10, 2020 episode of WWE Raw when he teamed with Kevin Owens & The Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) to take on AOP (Akam & Rezar), Murphy & Seth Rollins.
Joe had been battling concussion issues, which put him in the WWE Raw commentary booth before he was released by WWE in April. He then returned to NXT in June.
Here is the current lineup for NXT TakeOver 36:
NXT TakeOver 36 - August 22
- NXT Championship: Karrion Kross (c) vs. Samoa Joe
- NXT UK Championship: WALTER (c) vs. Ilja Dragunov
Check out everything happening on Tuesday's NXT with Fightful's coverage of the show. Plus, check out the post-show podcast for a full review of the show by clicking here.
