Samoa Joe and Roderick Strong are both a single victory away from their current goals – and that’s getting their hands on the AEW World Heavywe
ight Champion MJF. Joe has an eye for the gold that MJF holds, while Strong is fighting to regain his friend Adam Cole. Both men have made it to the finals of the Grand Slam Eliminator Tournament, and whoever wins gets to face MJF next week in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
There’s plenty of history between Strong & Joe, but most recently – Joe injured the neck of Strong during the Owen Hart Memorial Tournament.
This is the reason Strong still wears a neck brace to the ring, and something Strong has used against Cole – saying he cares more about the health of MJF. Joe knows that even if Strong is playing this injury up – there is still damage there, and is ready to exploit it.
Samoa Joe Intends To Re-Injure The Neck Of Roderick Strong
Joe would quickly grab the wrist of Strong and hit some headbutts – trying to take away the chops of Strong. Strong would be sent running to the floor, and only hit the ring when he felt he could get a single leg takedown on Joe. He was quickly foiled, and sent back to the floor – where Matt Taven & Mike Bennett gave advice.
Joe would follow Strong to the floor, before Strong gained the high ground. He’d press the advantage with some strikes, before Joe hit a big back elbow to turn Strong inside out.
Some jabs in the corner before a chop to the neck followed from Joe – and a hard headbutt followed an exchange of chops in the middle of the ring.
The snapmare from Joe would set up a chop of the back of the neck, before a roundhouse kick to the face and an elbow drop. Joe would apply the neck crank, and Strong would struggle to get free before taking more hard strikes in the ring. Strong would weather the storm and scored some hard strikes before a dropkick to the face.
Even The Strong Tap Out When Trapped By Samoa Joe
Strong would get a chinlock applied, but Joe fought to his feet. A missile dropkick followed, getting Strong a two count on Joe. Looking to keep the big man grounded, Strong would jump before a stomp to the back of the head – and applied a neck crank of his own.
The Manhattan Drop, Big Boot and running senton combo followed once Joe was free, before a tight snap powerslam for the near fall.
Strong would hit some jumping elbow smashes before dropping Joe on the third strike. Joe took a jumping knee strike in the corner, before a lariat for a two count.
Strong would corner Joe, but was planted with the S.T.Joe slam. Muscle Buster was set, but Bennett hit the apron to distract Joe. Strong would take advantage with a huge Angle Slam – and followed with the Sick Kick for the near fall.
Another Sick Kick attempt would see Strong dropped from the air with a lariat – and locked in the Rear Naked Choke. Strong was forced to tap out, and Samoa Joe won the tournament. He will now face MJF next week at AEW Grand Slam.
Samoa Joe Will Take Everything From MJF
Addressing MJF – Joe would send a warning. He’s going to march into MJF’s backyard and take everything he has. Adam Cole would come to the ring to check on Strong, who would fall to ground dramatically. Strong was now being taken to the back on a stretcher after this fall, while yelling “ADAM” over and over again.
Matt Taven would blame this on Cole, while before The Kingdom blocked him from following to the back. Cole would get into a heated argument with The Kingdom – and left his back open. Joe would rush out and get the Rear Naked Choke on Cole – and put him to sleep.
When he said he will take everything from MJF – he also meant Adam Cole. Joe would pose over a beaten Cole, before heading to the back. In one week, MJF might face the same fate when he is met by The Samoan Submission Machine.
Are we looking at our next AEW World Champion in Samoa Joe? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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