Samoa Joe, a prominent figure in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), has been absent from recent programming, leading to speculation about his status. His hiatus is attributed to filming commitments for the second season of Peacock’s “Twisted Metal,” where he portrays the character Sweet Tooth. This filming schedule necessitated a temporary departure from AEW events.

During the July 10 episode of AEW Dynamite, Joe faced Chris Jericho in a Canadian Stampede Street Fight. The match concluded dramatically when Jericho used a forklift to drive Joe through a wall, resulting in Joe being stretchered out and taken to a hospital.

This storyline was crafted to explain Joe’s impending absence due to his filming obligations.

As of early November 2024, reports indicate that Joe has completed his filming commitments and is available to return to AEW. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio noted that Joe’s return is now at AEW’s discretion, suggesting that fans can anticipate his reappearance in the near future.

In addition to his wrestling and acting endeavors, Joe is set to feature in the upcoming video game “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii,” scheduled for release on February 28, 2025. This project marks another expansion of Joe’s presence in the entertainment industry.