Samoa Joe discusses renewing CM Punk rivalry on AEW Collision
Samoa Joe is ready to show CM Punk what he’s picked up since they last met in the ring.
Joe and Punk will be on opposing sides of a six-man tag match on Saturday to headline the debut edition of AEW Collision. It will be the first time they’ve wrestled each other since 2005 in Ring of Honor.
Joe spoke to Sports Illustrated recently about renewing his rivalry with Punk.
“We’ve always competed to have the best match of the night, and that’s what we’re still competing to do,” says Joe. “It was our ambition that brought us together. We were two young gentlemen who believed we were the best in the world and that we could take it to anybody. That was evident in the young versions of both of us, and it’s manifested to where we are today.”
Joe continued to say that he’s familiar with Punk’s ability to draw controversy and is “unphased” by it all.
“I understand the nature of the beast,” says Joe. “It’s not a beast that’s easily tamed, so color me unsurprised. I don’t lie to myself and think that everybody acts the same way. People have their own interpretations of things. So color me unphased.”
“The guy’s my friend. He’s been my friend for years, and I have a lot of respect for him. But I understand the nature of the beast. I know what to expect,” Joe continued.
Joe was also asked about the controversy involving Punk and The Elite, as well as if he feels the situation stems from a generational gap.
“This isn’t a divide, it’s an argument between men,” Joe responded. “All those dudes don’t represent the entire genre of their generation. They have their own issues and their own problems. I don’t think it’s that deep. They’re grown-ass men. They have disagreements, they can figure it out or not. That’s between them.”
The Joe vs. Punk rivalry took place primarily in Ring of Honor in 2004 and 2005. Their 60-minute time-limit draw at ROH Joe vs. Punk II was awarded a five-star rating by our own Dave Meltzer. Joe would defeat Punk two months later at ROH All Star Extravaganza II in a match Meltzer would rate four and one-quarter stars.
The last time Punk and Joe wrestled each other was on August 12, 2005, at ROH Redemption. James Gibson won the ROH Championship in a four-way match that night against Punk, Joe, and Christopher Daniels.
“When you look at the breadth of our careers, there was a large span of time when we didn’t touch,” says Joe. “Now we’re back together, doing what we do best. I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s picked up, I’m down to show him what I’ve picked up, and we’ll see how it all hashes out in the ring.”
