Samoa Joe stands by his comments last year about not liking the term “forbidden door.”
During an appearance on AEW Unrestricted, Samoa Joe spoke about how he’s not really a fan of the phrase “forbidden door” in a wrestling context. Joe explained how in his mind, WWE‘s door still isn’t open and what’s happening right now with All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling really isn’t forbidden because New Japan has worked with Ring of Honor and other promotions in the past.
“Yeah, and I stand by my comments. And here’s the thing, maybe my definition of forbidden door and yours is different, but mine was always WWE. Okay, that door’s still not open. And if you’re talking about co-promoting with New Japan and other promotions and Ring of Honor, okay that’s fine. But to me, that’s never been considered a forbidden door,” Samoa Joe said. “I co-promoted with Ring of Honor and New Japan years ago and we did the Best of Super Juniors. Didn’t turn out well, wasn’t a good collaboration from that experience. That’s what I base my experiences on.
“And even to this day, when you talk about the Forbidden Door, I’m talking about it from the standpoint of where I’m at and where the people are at. The door that’s currently up is what adds value to a lot of the wrestlers. And to me, even though I’ve dealt with Tony and I have a very different feeling now that I’m dealing personally with Tony and talking business about how he handles himself and what his vision is, which is very noble and I’m surprised to hear. But when the promoters start working together, does that usually work out from the wrestlers? I’m just talking about from a labor standpoint. There’s value in the exclusivity that a promoter has, let’s not deny it. That’s how I understood it.
“Like I said, I’m not on the Internet every day like catching on all the buzzwords and getting the Revolution and stuff. I think the arguing between the AEW and the WWE fans is ridiculous. Watch pro wrestling. You don’t need to knock on this. It’s you taking your ego and taking something you’re not involved with, and like trying to start a conflict with something else. Watch what you watch, enjoy what you wanna enjoy. I’m always gonna be pro value for wrestlers, no matter what. I’m always pro, hey wrestlers should be getting the top dollar, getting paid the most they should possibly be paid and be valued at the highest level. And I will never apologize for that opinion and I will never go back on that opinion.
“And if guys take that as some shot like oh but now you here and now you sold out and your opinion’s [different], no. My opinion’s still the same. As far as I see it, that door’s still up. But there’s benefits to that door being up and there’s benefits to that door being open. And that door can be opened but listen, there’s gotta be a lotta change industry-wise before I’d be comfortable with it as a performer, and from where I’m standing, as an entertainer who’s been in this business, who has actually dealt with the financials and knows what this business is about.”
READ MORE: Samoa Joe: I Keep My Talent Scout Eyes Open For AEW, I Want The Best Young Stars To Come Work Here
What are your thoughts on Samoa Joe’s comments? Do you understand where he’s coming from? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.
If you use any of the quotes above, please credit AEW Unrestricted with a link back to this article for the transcription.
