WWE Still Hasn’t Cleared A Top Star To Wrestle Again

WWE finds itself with a suddenly thin roster following the company’s mass release of talent and the recent departures of several high-profile stars, and that already dwindling roster continues to shrink.

Overlooked but quality performers like Matt Hardy and Luke Harper have left WWE for All Elite Wrestling, while a number of top stars—including AJ Styles, The Undertaker, Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar and Goldberg—have disappeared from TV as many of those names tend to do after WWE’s down post-WrestleMania period each year. Even with Roman Reigns also sidelined indefinitely due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, WWE released nearly two dozen superstars, including Rusev and Zack Ryder, on Wednesday in a series of cost-cutting measures also related to COVID-19.

Now comes yet another big blow to the WWE roster, this time to Monday Night Raw. According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestling Inc), Samoa Joe still hasn’t been given the green light to wrestle again after suffering a concussion while filming a WWE commercial:

“Samoa Joe has not returned to WWE RAW action because he’s still not medically cleared to compete. Joe’s 30-day WWE Wellness Policy suspension expired in time for the WrestleMania 36 tapings but Joe still has not been cleared from his most recent concussion, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.”

Joe suffered a concussion when he was injured during that commercial shoot back in February, and at the time, the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer (h/t Wrestle Talk) reported that Joe was on “risky ground” after suffering multiple concussions in a brief period. While Joe was sidelined, he was also suspended for 30 days for violating WWE’s Talent Wellness Program.

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That was the latest twist in what has been a winding road for Joe for much of his three-year run on the main roster. Joe also suffered a broken thumb last September that kept him out of action for a few months, but he would be used sparingly on Raw as a commentator while recovering from his injury. The former NXT Champion received rave reviews for his commentary work, resulting in speculation that WWE might transition him into that role full-time. However, WWE reportedly views Joe as someone who is “too valuable” as an in-ring performer to move to the announce desk just yet.

At 41 years old, Joe is a lot closer to the end of his career than the beginning, though, and whether fair or not, he has developed a reputation as someone who is injury prone after suffering a number of significant injuries since being promoted from NXT to the main roster in 2017. While Joe is still a world class in-ring performer, he is also one of WWE’s best talkers, which was evidenced by his strong commentary work. It would seem that the submission specialist may find himself in a position similar to that of Corey Graves, the SmackDown commentator who was forced to retire due to concussion issues but recently admitted that Edge’s return made him consider trying to get cleared to wrestle again.

Graves, however, is very good on commentary, and he’s more vital to WWE in that role than he would be as an in-ring performer. It’s worth noting, though, that WWE has recently cleared several superstars to return to the ring after it looked like their in-ring careers were over and done with, a list that includes Edge, Daniel Bryan and Sheamus. Paige, who was also forced to retire prematurely due to a serious neck injury, is still holding out hope that she will be able to return to the ring one day as well.

There is currently no definitive word on if and when Joe will be able to wrestle again, and with Raw already sorely lacking in the star power department, his uncertain future is yet another big blow to the red brand.