NXT CHAMPION KARRION KROSS VS. SAMOA JOE

It’s official – Samoa Joe is returning to the ring. His first match back will be at NXT TAKEOVER 36 where he will face NXT Champion Karrion Kross for the championship. Samoa Joe returned to WWE in June. He was of the many WWE talent released in the company’s April cutbacks. This will be Samoa Joe’s first match in over 18 months. Joe was out of action due to suffering a concussion while filming a commercial for WWE. He also had a suspension for violating the company’s Wellness Policy which resulted in him being part of the Monday Night RAW commentary team.

On last night’s episode of NXT, Samoa Joe handed his resignation to NXT General Manager William Regal. This marked the end of his role as a special ‘authority’ or enforcer for NXT. The NXT storyline was that William Regal brought Joe back under two conditions – Joe was no longer a NXT Superstar, and Joe could not get physical with the NXT roster, unless provoked. NXT Champion Karrion Kross did provoke Samoa Joe and attacked him after his victory over Johnny Gargano. Regal accepted Joe’s resignation and reinstated him as an active competitor on NXT’s roster.

NXT TakeOver 36 is scheduled for SummerSlam weekend and will air live on Sunday, August 22nd on the Peacock Network or on the WWE Network internataionally.