AEW: Samoa Joe on AEW Career, Former WWE VP of Global TV Production Hired, Dark Elevation Results

Samoa Joe Comments on His Current Career in AEW

DAZN held a recent interview with Samoa Joe. One of the topics discussed included Joe’s thoughts on his current career in AEW.

“Just getting started [is how I would characterize my run in AEW so far]. I mean, really I came in, initially I was gone for three months filming and now I’m back and we’re just getting started. Really, when you think about my run and how long I’ve actually been in AEW as far as days on the job, we’re still very much in the beginning of this so I’m excited to see where it goes.”

Joe also gave his thoughts on what were his plans for his career had he not signed a deal with AEW.

“I don’t wanna… because I’m still working on some of this stuff. It’s still kind of out there but, needless to say, I had a few other projects and a few other shows that showed a lot of interest and I was very, very thankful that they approached me immediately and yeah, I mean, I would have been working in television in some facet [if I was not in AEW]. I’ll say that much… It is [always good to be wanted] and I’m very thankful for it. I don’t ever take that for granted because, you know, it’s been a recurring theme in my career that you get the oddest phone calls at the oddest times and they work out great so, just gotta be ready for when they come.”

Joe also gave his thoughts on Juice Robinson, who he faced off against for the ROH World Television Championship at ROH’s Final Battle 2022 event this past Saturday in Arlington, Texas.

“I think he [Juice Robinson] is probably one of the more slept on talents in wrestling. It’s funny, me and Juice just kind of missed each other in NXT. He had decided he wanted to go out and kind of do his own thing and I was coming in at the time and I heard tons of great things from everybody there who would work with him and knew him personally and stuff and you know, I think I met him a few times. I think actually we met up one time when we were in Japan and we just happened to be touring at the same time as New Japan and we had dinner and then I saw some of his work and what he’s doing in New Japan. An incredible athlete, very, very skilled grappler.”

Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com

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AEW Hires Former WWE VP of Global TV Production

AEW reportedly recently hired former WWE Vice President of Global Television Production Michael Mansury to an executive position in the company, according to PWInsider.

Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that Mansury was backstage during AEW’s Full Gear 2022 event this past November but will officially begin his duties for the company starting with this week’s AEW Dynamite tapings. Johnson reported that Mansury’s official title in AEW will be as their new Senior Vice President & Co-Executive Producer.

Mansury commented on Twitter about his recent hiring in AEW.

Hello wrestling, my old friend… pic.twitter.com/JqN08WDNzp

— Mike Mansury (@mr_mansury) December 12, 2022

Prior to his hiring, Mansury had worked in WWE from March of 2009 to May of 2020. Johnson reported that during his time in WWE, Mansury had been viewed by some within the company as the successor of Kevin Dunn and as a big part of the Paul “Triple H” Levesque regime.

Mansury also worked for MMA promotion ONE and The Pat McAfee Show following his departure from WWE.

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AEW Dark Elevation Results – Dec. 12, 2022

Dec. 12, 2022
Cedar Park, TX – HEB Center
Commentary: Tony Schiavone, Paul Wight, and “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard

AEW Dark Elevation Quick Match Results:

1. Emi Sakura defeated Danni Bee via Dragon Sleeper (submission)
2. Jericho Appreciation Society (Matt Menard & Angelo Parker) defeated Warren Johnson & Zach Mason via Double Team Inverted DDT (pinfall)
3. Willow Nightingale defeated Vertvixen via Spinebuster (pinfall)
4. Best Friends (Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor) defeated Zane Valero & Zack Clayton via Strong Zero (pinfall)
5. Ari Daivari & The Varsity Athletes (Josh Woods & Tony Nese) defeated Brandon Cutler & Chaos Project (Serpentico & Luther) via Frog Splash (pinfall)