The wrestling world has been buzzing since Samoa Joe dropped hints about his potential retirement, but AEW President Tony Khan isn’t ready to start planning any farewell ceremonies just yet. In a recent interview that’s sure to ease fans’ concerns, Khan made it clear he sees plenty of fight left in the Samoan Submission Machine.
Khan Pushes Back Against Retirement Talk
When pressed about Joe’s recent comments regarding his wrestling future, Khan delivered a message that should resonate with AEW faithful. The company president expressed confidence that one of his top performers isn’t hanging up the boots anytime soon.
We don’t wanna think about that yet, because I think Samoa Joe still has years left with AEW, which is great. And I think we’ll focus on Samoa Joe as one of the top stars in wrestling right now.”
This response comes after Joe himself suggested his active wrestling days are numbered. The former ROH World Champion indicated he would “most likely” retire once his current AEW deal expires, though he remained tight-lipped about specific dates.
Joe’s Preference for a Quiet Exit
True to his no-nonsense character, Joe has made his feelings clear about how he wants his career to end. The veteran grappler expressed a desire to step away from the spotlight without the fanfare that typically accompanies wrestling retirements.
Rather than embarking on a lengthy goodbye tour filled with ceremonial matches and speeches, Joe prefers the idea of simply fading into the background when his time comes. This approach reflects the humble mentality that has defined much of his legendary career.
AEW’s Plans for a Proper Send-Off
Despite Joe’s preference for a low-key departure, Khan made it abundantly clear that AEW would honor their champion appropriately when the time arrives. The company president outlined his vision for recognizing Joe’s contributions to the promotion.
“If and when the time ever comes for Samoa Joe to hang them up, I hope that AEW will be able to pay great tribute to somebody that is one of the most accomplished stars ever in AEW and one of the great champions in wrestling.”
Khan’s comments highlight the immense respect the organization has for Joe’s impact since joining the roster. The acknowledgment of Joe as “one of the most accomplished stars ever in AEW” speaks volumes about his standing within the company hierarchy.
Championship Gold Still Within Reach
Any retirement discussions take a backseat as Joe prepares for one of the biggest opportunities of his AEW tenure. At WrestleDream, the submission specialist challenges Hangman Adam Page for the AEW World Championship in what promises to be a hard-hitting affair.
This title shot represents another chance for Joe to cement his legacy in AEW’s championship history. A victory would add the company’s top prize to his already impressive collection of gold within the promotion.
While retirement rumors continue to swirl, Tony Khan’s confidence in Samoa Joe’s longevity suggests fans shouldn’t start saying their goodbyes just yet. With a world title match on the horizon and Khan believing there are still “years left,” could we be witnessing just the beginning of Joe’s most impactful AEW chapter rather than the final pages?
