Samoa Joe will be taking time away from All Elite Wrestling, with the former AEW World Champion confirming he is “stepping away” for the next few months.

The announcement came during the third hour of Wednesday’s combined Dynamite and Collision broadcast in a backstage segment. Joe appeared alongside fellow Opps members Hook, Katsuyori Shibata, and Anthony Bowens before revealing the reason for his absence.

“Opportunity calls…and Hollywood’s ringing,” Joe said.

Joe briefly addressed the group, noting they understood how these situations work, before shaking hands and exiting. Following his departure, Hook stepped forward between Bowens and Shibata, reasserting himself as the group’s leader, a role he previously held during Joe’s last absence.

The “Hollywood” reference is tied to Joe’s involvement in the Twisted Metal series, where he portrays the physical role of Sweet Tooth, with Will Arnett providing the character’s voice. Joe is expected to film the upcoming third season of the show, which has been a strong performer for the Peacock streaming platform.

Joe’s latest AEW run has been limited in terms of in-ring appearances. The 47-year-old recently returned from a concussion and has wrestled only a handful of matches in 2026. His most recent bout took place at Double or Nothing, where he was defeated by Will Ospreay in an Owen Hart Foundation Tournament match.

With Joe now stepping away again, AEW programming will shift focus to the remaining members of the Opps faction, particularly Hook, who appears set to take on a more prominent leadership role in the group moving forward.

Samoa Joe Stepping Away From AEW for Hollywood Project

AdvertisementAdvertisement