Samoa Joe has had a positive impact on Taylor Wilde's life.
Speaking with Women's Wrestling Talk, the former Knockouts Champion cited her bond with Samoa Joe as one of the first things she thinks about when reflecting on the most important people and moments from her wrestling career.
"I guess it was through the indies, I had met Samoa Joe at ROH, and he is like my big brother. We fell in love in a totally platonic way… That man makes me laugh, no one can make me laugh like that guy. Like, I love my husband, but it is just like a totally different relationship. So he's always been my person. That's all I can say.”
Wilde was then asked if there were any particularly resonant pieces of advice that Joe may have shared. Here is what she said:
“I think the biggest thing is and it's, it's simple, but it's just always you have to be your own biggest advocate. No one is going to do shit for you. You are just a cog in the wheel. As a woman in the business, especially off the back of that Divas Era, and being in my early 20’s and having grown up in the business in my formative years... I never really stood up for myself. I never really stood up for my worth. He [Samoa Joe] always instilled that, it seems so natural for him. It shouldn't have been masculine, feminine, male or female. It's just, you know, you've got to fight for what is yours. It took me a long time to hear him, but I get it now."
Wilde worked in IMPACT from 2008 to 2010. She retired from wrestling in 2011 to pursue a degree in psychology and work full-time as a firefighter. In November it was reported that she would be returning to the promotion.
Joe returned to the ring in January 2020 after missing the last three months of 2019 with a broken thumb. His return didn't last long as he reportedly suffered a concussion and violated the WWE wellness policy in February. Joe has spent his time away from in-ring competition by serving as a commentator on Raw.
It is unknown when Joe will be able to return to the ring.
