WWE Rumor Roundup - Veteran from SmackDown fired, Vince McMahon unhappy, Champion to lose title before SummerSlam? - 29th May 2020

#2. Samoa Joe's WWE status and future

Samoa Joe has been doing a fine job as an announcer on RAW and many fans have been wondering about the Samoan Submission Machine's in-ring future.

Dave Meltzer revealed in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the company now considers Samoa Joe to be the permanent replacement for Jerry Lawler as an announcer.

As of this writing, Joe has not been cleared to wrestle but that could change soon. Meltzer noted that WWE could use his role as a commentator to book in-ring angles, if or when he is cleared to return to action.

Meltzer stated that if the WWE feels that their roster lacks depth then Joe could be pushed as a full-time in-ring performer. If not, there is a chance that Joe mixes up his in-ring and announcing duties in the future.

Meltzer noted the following in the Newsletter:

Regarding Samoa Joe, he is still not cleared to return, however he is also now considered the permanent replacement for Lawler as an announcer. What that means if/when he is cleared is that he may have the role where he announces and they can shoot angles for him to wrestle using that (since those kind of angles usually do well). Things could also change if later there are depth issues and they feel the need to have him as a full-time wrestler. Or he could mix the two.