During last Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite and Collision, former AEW World Champion Samoa Joe informed The Opps in a backstage segment that “Hollywood was calling.” As a result, he will be away from AEW television for the foreseeable future. Joe then asked HOOK, Katsuyori Shibata, and Anthony Bowens to keep things in order during his absence.
According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com, the likely reason for Joe’s latest hiatus from AEW TV is his commitment to the Peacock series “Twisted Metal”. The report also noted that filming for the third season of the series will begin shortly in Canada. Joe, who portrays Sweet Tooth in the series, has regularly taken breaks from AEW to fulfill 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 event at the sold-out Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York. He faced Will Ospreay in the opening round of the 2026 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. Despite his best efforts in what was a highly entertaining back-and-forth contest, Joe ultimately lost to Ospreay.