Samoa Joe has announced that “due to certain injuries,” he has relinquished the NXT Championship in a video posted to social media. Joe’s reign lasted just under three weeks, winning the title at NXT TakeOver 36 on August 22.
— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) September 12, 2021
“Recently, WWE medical has informed me that due to certain injuries, they’d like to have me step away from the ring for a brief, but still indeterminate amount of time,” Joe says in the video. I realize this week we are on the cusp of a new NXT, we are on the brink of a new era in our history, and I realize that that era deserves a fighting champion.”
He goes on to say, “That’s why it makes a difficult decision very easy to make. Effective immediately, I relinquish the NXT Championship. Best of luck to those who will vie for it. My sincerest condolences to whoever wins, because I will be along shortly to recollect what’s mine.
WWE confirmed the news on their website, saying that Joe “has sustained an injury, and is not able to compete at this time.”
NXT is set to debut a new look and new direction for the brand this Tuesday. The main event was originally set to be Kyle O’Reilly vs. Tommaso Ciampa vs. LA Knight vs. Pete Dunne in a Fatal 4-Way match to determine the #1 contender to Joe’s title.
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