WWE: Fantasy Booking Samoa Joe’s Return

After suffering a knee injury at a recent WWE Raw live event, it was announced that Samoa Joe was expected to be out of action for 4-6 weeks. All signs point to Joe playing a prominent role upon his return, one worthy of his “Destroyer” moniker.

Let’s work under the assumption that Samoa Joe’s injury will keep him out for the entirety of the reported timeframe: six weeks. That places Joe’s imaginary return right around the middle of October, but the build for his arrival should begin much earlier than that.

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Here’s how it should go.

Drama With Kurt Angle

In the weeks leading up to the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view, Kurt Angle is seen speaking on his phone, presumably to Stephanie McMahon. “Yeah, boss. No need to worry, everything’s going great!” He explains that his son Jason Jordan is rising through the WWE Raw ranks and that the main event picture is doing huge business for the red brand.

At the very beginning of the go-home Raw before TLC, the “boss” tells Kurt (over the phone, again) that they’ll be in Minneapolis to make an important announcement. Kurt wonders out loud if this may have something to do with his position as General Manager.

Fearing he may be fired, Angle makes sure to pull out all the stops and books main event caliber matches throughout the night. This will demonstrate that firing him wouldn’t be “best for business”. When Raw ends, Kurt is satisfied with his efforts and is sure he’ll be keeping his job well into the future.

At TLC, Angle comes out to begin the show and introduces his boss, Triple H.

“The Game” enters the arena to a large pop and stands in the ring, receiving “welcome back” chants, a sign of respect from a passionate fanbase that recognizes his behind-the-scenes involvement in WWE. He takes the microphone, as a worried Kurt Angle looks on.

“Don’t worry, Kurt. This isn’t about your job,” Triple H assures him. “Actually, I think you’ve been doing great. There’s only one small problem. Actually, it’s a big problem.”

“What’s that, Hunter?” Kurt asks.

The Brock Lesnar Problem

“The problem, Kurt… is Brock Lesnar.” At first, the crowd cheers at the mention of their hometown hero, but they begin to boo when they realize what Triple may be implying.

He continues: “Brock Lesnar has been Universal Champion since WrestleMania and I think it’s time that ends. Brock Lesnar is NOT best for business.

Raw needs a champion who’s gonna be around to defend his title. It needs someone who’s gonna show the world what it means to be a true WWE superstar and a fighting champion.”

Faint chants of “Joe, Joe, Joe” can be heard, not in disapproval of Lesnar, but rather in memory of Joe and Brock’s great match at Great Balls of Fire. The fans remember that the rivalry between the two was cut short, and they want more.

“So I’m here to let everyone know that one way or another, the Brock Lesnar era in WWE is coming to an end. Braun Strowman has one more chance to do that tonight and it will be his final chance. If he can’t beat Brock Lesnar and take the Universal Championship from him… I have someone who can.”

After a hard fought battle in the main event, Brock Lesnar defeats Braun Strowman and retains his title. The next night on Raw, Triple H opens the show.

A Little ‘Shakeup’

“Well, it’s no real surprise,” he begins. “Last night at TLC, Brock Lesnar retained his Universal Title against Braun Strowman. And you wanna know something else that’s really no surprise? Brock Lesnar… is not here.” The crowd boos.

“That’s right. Last night, after the main event, Brock Lesnar walked to the back, grabbed his bags, hopped on his private jet and flew home. Who knows when we’ll see him again? Maybe not until Royal Rumble. Maybe not even until WrestleMania. Or maybe Brock Lesnar may just take his ball and run all the way back to the UFC and never be heard from again.”

Now the crowd is really into it.

“And don’t expect to hear (in a mocking tone) ‘Ladies and gentleman, my name… is Paul Heyman’ tonight, because I banned that sloth from the arena. I said it last night and I’ll say it again: The Brock Lesnar era needs to end and I have the man do it”.

The “Joe, Joe, Joe” chants are now at a fever pitch.

“So without further ado, let me introduce you to your next WWE Universal Champion: Kevin Owens!”

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Owens makes his way to the ring with a look that says, “Were you expecting someone else?” The crowd quickly puts all the pieces together, but Owens still explains. He’s tired of putting up with Shane McMahon’s “crap” on SmackDown Live and was happy to reunite with the one person who hasn’t “screwed him over” since coming to WWE, Triple H.

“I’m here to take back MY Universal Title, that I was screwed out of by Chris Jericho and lost to some old guy who isn’t even here anymore.”

Triple H once again reiterates that, being the prizefighter that he is, Kevin Owens will dethrone Brock Lesnar and announces the bout for Survivor Series.

The match takes place with Triple H at ringside. After Lesnar delivers an F5 to Owens, “The Game” drags the referee out of the ring mid-count and punches him to the ground. He enters the ring and tries to take out Lesnar, but gets sent to the outside for his troubles.

The Destroyer Makes His Choice

Triple H is shaken, but still has a plan in his back pocket.

He waves to the back and Samoa Joe’s music hits as he stomps his way down to the ring. Before entering, he shakes Triple H’s hand and gives an approving nod: the insurance policy is here.

Joe gets in the ring and comes face-to-face with Lesnar as the crowd erupts. KO is gets to his feet, laughs and comes side-by-side with Samoa Joe. Triple H’s plan is coming together, and Owens is about to become Universal Champion again.

In one swift movement, Joe grabs Owens from behind and slaps on the Coquina Clutch. It doesn’t take long for Owens to fade to the ground. Triple H is irate, but he doesn’t dare enter the ring with Joe and Brock waiting on him. Lesnar hoists Owens in the air for an F5 as the ref makes his way back into the ring and counts to three.

Joe and Triple H argue on the outside and Triple H pushes Joe in the chest. Joe pauses, looks down incredulously and then gazes up at his now-former associate. Within seconds, Triple H is locked in the Coquina Clutch as Lesnar looks on, laughing.

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Samoa Joe begins to make his way to the back and the camera is now focused on Lesnar’s celebration, as the announcers try to make sense of what just happened.

Suddenly, two arms wrap themselves around Lesnar’s waist from behind. The champion’s eyes widen as he’s hoisted into the air and belly-to-back suplexed to the mat. Joe repeats the action twice more.

Brock Lesnar has been taken to suplex city.

Joe catches Lesnar in the Clutch and Brock’s face reddens, but he squirms free and retreats. Joe stands tall in the middle of the ring, with no one, working for no one.

Samoa Joe works alone, and he wants the Universal Title.