On the same day his interview with Sports Illustrated runs (in which, among other grown-ass man-isms, he says, “I really want to make a focus of getting the fans’ attention back on the conflict in the ring, and a lot of the petty stuff needs to melt away”) AEW World Champion Samoa Joe hit the ring, looking as dapper as can be, and showed that he and this title run is all business. If you’re gonna be the championship-level representative of a company, it’s not just an on-screen responsibility and in a time of sustained turmoil, you couldn’t ask for a better candidate than Joe.

Joe referenced Adam Cole, still on the shelf with injury, calling him “a devil who made a bad business deal.” That’s fine. A great matchup to look forward to down the road. He also squared off against Swerve Strickland, who was interrupted by “Hangman” Adam Page, both of whom expressed their desire to challenge for the title as well. Also fine. Two more game contenders for Joe to smash (well, until Swerve smashes back, but that’s just fine too). And before it was all over, he’d have to look HOOK in the eyes as well, who went nose-to-nose with the champ ahead of their match next week (yes, still taking place, on account of HOOK’s 28-1 career record making it a logical challenge, despite online outrage that should have gone toward WWE’s Jinder Mahal, as per the boss via TwitX). And that’s all fine too. Jokes aside, HOOK is an up-and-coming popular talent that can only benefit from time in the ring with Joe.

But more than fine is this: Samoa Joe as AEW World Champion, for everything it represents. Professionalism and business that should resonate on screen and throughout the back. Surely, sans current injury/”Does he even still work here?” stuff with MJF, he’d still be the champion, and that’s just fine too. But given the context and the climate, Joe’s the man. As well he should be.

Written by Jon Jordan