Note on Potential Reason Behind Samoa Joe Taking Break From AEW

Former AEW World Champion Samoa Joe is set to be away from weekly programming for some time. On last night’s episode of AEW Collision, Joe informed The Opps during a backstage segment that “Hollywood was calling,” and hence, he’d be away from AEW television for the foreseeable period. The Samoan Submission Machine asked HOOK, Katsuyori Shibata, and Anthony Bowens to keep things in order in his absence.

According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, the likely reason behind his latest hiatus is his commitment to the Peacock series Twisted Metal. The report notes that filming for the third season of the series will start shortly in Canada.

Joe, who plays Sweet Tooth in the series, has regularly taken breaks from All Elite Wrestling to honor his filming commitments. The third season is expected to premiere in 2027.

Joe was in action at last weekend’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view at a sold-out Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York. He went one-on-one with the former International Champion in the opening round of the 2026 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.

Despite his best efforts in what was a hugely entertaining back-and-forth contest, the former AEW World Champion eventually succumbed to the Hidden Blade from The Aerial Assassin.