5 former NXT Champions released by WWE - Where are they now?

#1 Former NXT Champion Samoa Joe did not compete for over a year before his WWE release

Be well. pic.twitter.com/AvRsVYYmup

— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) April 15, 2021

Samoa Joe joined WWE in 2015 after enjoying great stints with Ring of Honor (ROH), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), and other promotions. Joe joined the WWE NXT brand following his signing.

Joe teamed up with Finn Bálor during his time in NXT, but the two soon entered into a rivalry. Joe defeated Bálor to win the NXT Championship on April 21, 2016, at an NXT live event.

Joe lost the title to Shinsuke Nakamura after a 121-day reign, but won it back from Nakamura for another short reign. The Samoan Submission Machine moved to the main roster in January 2017.

Even though Joe was part of several World Championship rivalries in WWE, he failed to win the top titles. Instead, he won the United States Championship twice during his main roster career.

The star suffered multiple injuries that have kept him out of the ring since early 2020. He took over a commentary position on RAW, but did not make it back to the ring for any more matches with the company.

They really should of never gave me money.

— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) April 15, 2021

WWE released Joe on April 15, 2021, soon after his appearance as a commentator at WrestleMania 37. Backstage reports suggested that Joe wanted to return to the ring soon, but WWE did not medically clear him.

It is currently not known whether Joe will be taking to the ring again or whether he will join another promotion.