Samoa Joe returns to action on AEW Dynamite in limited role

Samoa Joe returned to in-ring action on AEW Dynamite, teaming with Katsuyori Shibata and Powerhouse Hobbs to defeat La Faccion Ingobernable in a high-profile trio mainstay. The appearance marked Joe’s first match in weeks and his first ongoing physical involvement since an injury angle at All In, as he continues to manage injuries including a fractured ankle suffered during filming for the second season of Twisted Metal. The outing also fits into AEW’s broader schedule as the company pushes toward its Forbidden Door crossover in London later this month.

In the match, Joe joined The Opps—Shibata and Hobbs—as they faced LFI’s Rush, Dralistico and The Beast Mortos. The result reinforced Joe’s return to active competition, with him concluding the contest by trapping Dralistico in the Coquina Clutch, forcing the referee to call the finish. While Joe registered the decisive move, observers noted that his in-ring participation was limited, with his teammates handling a substantial portion of the workload as he worked through lingering injuries.

The physical setbacks surrounding Joe were explained in part by recent filming demands and a recent injury history. He fractured his ankle...