AEW’s Samoa Joe Talks Clockwork Carnage At ‘WrestleDream’ & ‘Twisted Metal’ Season 3

Samoa Joe brings a certain level of intimidation whenever he appears on All Elite Wrestling. This largely stems from respect and a reputation earned over the former world champion’s two decades in the business. The combination of his body of work and overall imposing aura made him the perfect vessel for the Sweet Tooth killer clown character on Twisted Metal. The real-life adaptation of the video game is set to return for Season 3 on Peacock. While Joe plays the actual iconic figure onscreen, Will Arnett voices the role.

Joe, real name Joe Seanoa, returned to AEW in September after filming and didn’t lose a step by defeating Jack Perry during the special Dynamite: Grand Slam France on TBS from Paris. The win qualified him for the Clockwork Carnage match at the WrestleDream pay-per-view from Orlando on October 17.

Will Ospreay puts the AEW World Championship on the line in a unique environment involving seven contenders with Joe among them. The bout begins with two randomly selected wrestles before the others join the fray every three minutes. Those eliminated by pinfall or submission during the opening round will not move on to the final phase. It’s then the remaining participants will have 15 minutes to earn as many points as possible with the most total falls leaving with the gold. 

Here Joe tells us how he is preparing for the big main event. The star also chats about what it was like on the Twisted Metal set with the addition of his onscreen dad Mark Hamill.

You came back to AEW at a time of mourning as the company lost Pac (Benjamin Satterley) and The Butcher (Andy Williams) in a matter of weeks. There seems to be such camaraderie in the locker room, but especially when these tragedies occur. The company really had a moving tribute. What has it been like to move forward, which I know isn’t easy? 

Samoa Joe: You know, the truth of it is there is no real established protocol beyond how anybody grieves amongst friends and loved ones. I think in times like this we try to be there  for each other and available for that late-night call if you need to talk about it or something like that. I think we’re just more sensitive to that around these times. Obviously, the loss of Ben and Andy was felt far and beyond even AEW. Almost every locker room in the world felt it because they made an impact in the many places that they worked. With the show must go on mentality, I think if anything, we’re grateful that we even have the opportunity to have the show go on. I think we’re just more cognizant of that, I think we’re a bit more grateful of that. I think the endeavor that kind of starts with gratitude usually ends up being pretty spectacular in the end.

Does it reinforce why you enjoy working for AEW? 

Tony [Khan] is very admirable in that he’s very sensitive to these types of situations and how much we as performers mean to each other, especially over the breadth of our career and the journey that is what we do. However, I think that is across the board. I think it’d be selfish to say it is just AEW. I think we all understand the great loss that we’ve had to endure these past months. I think in these times we band together. We definitely cherish and have a better understanding that our time on this earth is precious. We should tell the people that we care about them, and we love them when we get the opportunity. 

How would you describe the atmosphere in AEW today compared to other times since you’ve started there? 

It’s definitely an era of new faces. I think you’re seeing a lot of younger guys that maybe weren’t in the spotlight or indefinitely in the main event picture, kind of forcing themselves into the picture, and rightfully so. It’s an exciting time being a part of this company. For me, it’s very special and very fun because you’re getting to see the evolution of so many young, extremely awesome talents kind of coming into their own. 

What were your first thoughts about this Clockwork Carnage match when you heard about it?

At this point in my career, I’ve probably been a part of as many crazy stipulation-type matches as you can possibly put out there. Kind of hearing the format and the layout, it’s par for the course. It took me a good two minutes to sit down and wrap my head around the concept. Depending on where I’m drawn, we’ll work out a gameplan.

Is there anything you do to prepare for these kinds of matches because I know endurance plays a factor here? 

It’s just like preparation for anything else. I think with a thing like this where you have so many moving parts and cogs in the wheel, it’s really about being sharp and being at your best. I look forward to the opportunities and what this one presents. 

A video of a conversation you had where you spoke about leaning into your faith recently went viral. What do you make of the response you’ve received? 

Not really. If you make a statement about anything in this world, people are gonna feel strongly about it one way or another. I live in America, there’s free speech. So be it.

I always hear there is being in shape and then being in ring shape. How has it been juggling working on projects like Twisted Metal to coming back to wrestle?

I mean, there’s no real science to it. You do the work, and you go back, and you get ready to wrestle again. I don’t have a real magic formula for you. I don’t have any special juice or serum. It’s just do the work and get ready.

How is it finding that balance though, being able to pursue other projects while also being a part of AEW? 

It is tough. It’s obviously some new kind of uncharted territory, but the right adjustments on the other end of things have to be made to  balance things out. Even when I’m on set, I was kind of working with some local wrestling schools and getting reps in there and stuff like that in the Toronto area. It’s par for the course. If you’re going to be a pro wrestler, well, it requires you to stay ready to wrestle. You do your best no matter what project you’re involved in.

Have you looked at John Cena or even Chris Jericho for how they’ve managed? Do you feel the door has opened more in a lot of ways for high-profile roles thanks to past wrestlers succeeding? 

I would say so. I think it would be kind of foolish not to say that. Media has become very varied and kind of widespread, and niche, and all over the place. I think more opportunities have sprung up for pro wrestlers over this time. I think you see pro wrestlers involved in more outside of wrestling projects than I think ever before. It doesn’t come as a great surprise to me. I think the people that kind of came before us, the Dwayne [Johnson’s], the Dave [Bautista’s], the John [Cena’s]. Then there are the Roddy Piper’s and others even before them, I think they all kind of paved the way for more wrestlers to find their way in projects outside of wrestling.

Being a part of Twisted Metal, I know you built this rapport with your fellow cast members. Have you converted any into wrestling fans?

I think a few. Stephanie Beatriz has definitely become much more interested. She actually came to the screening of Dark Side of the Ring,in Toronto. I think that whet her appetite. So, she might be on her way. 

I know filming wrapped earlier this year, but what can you tease about the vibe of Twisted Metal going into Season 3?

It’s pretty chaotic, man. Obviously, Twisted Metal has always been a very kind of wild and out-there show, especially conceptually. I think we continue to push those boundaries this season. I don’t want to give too much away. I’m not really sure where we’re at or, or how that’s going to work out, but I will say that I’m excited to see what more of the world that is revealed in the season.

And then Mark Hamill as Sweet Tooth’s estranged dad. I mean, that’s going to be fun to see. How was it seeing him as part of the project?

Very cool. Yeah, yeah, Mark’s quite the dynamo in front of the camera, so it was fun to kind of be across from him and see him do his work.

What do you see for yourself in terms of your pro wrestling career these days? 

You always want to see new people develop and come to the forefront. As of right now, I just want to kind of go out there and entertain the fans. I want to give them a reason to tune in every week. I think it’s a simpler goal than many would probably think that it is. I think the truth of it is there’s some kind of nobility and consistency being reliable in varying times. 

Who is someone we need to look out for in AEW? Maybe someone we’re not paying attention to enough from your vantage point. 

I think Queen Aminata. There is a ton of potential that is kind of unrealized there. I would say the same thing with Trish Adora. I think those are two talents that I consistently see where maybe their best is still kind of in front of them. On the men’s side, there are also a lot. I’d say [Action] Andretti. I think, him being given more opportunity and given more spots could be quite the force to be reckoned with. 

How is it seeing the New Level’s Kofi and Austin Creed coming over?

It’s great. It’s fantastic. I think they’re definitely going to explore the space as far as what you’ve seen from them, and I’m enjoying what they’re putting forth thus far.

What are your thoughts on Will Ospreay as the champion and being able to represent the company in that top position?

I think Will’s done a pretty good job so far. He has risen to the occasion when he has been asked to. He has had a very hard, difficult rise to the top. I look forward to getting all that pressure off his shoulders here [at WrestleDream]. 

WrestleDream is happening in Orlando. Does it matter more knowing the event is in a city you’ve made so much history in? 

Orlando has been a place where many of my wrestling moments have gone down. The amount I’ve done in the city, there’s bound to be something great to happen in there. Orlando has always been very special to me. It has been kind of my home arena away from home. Any opportunity I get to be back in Orlando doing what I do best, I always relish it a little bit. It’s nice to be able to drive home and sleep in your own bed at night. It’s a rare treat. 

Are you going to have a lot of family there?

Usually, the guest list is out the door. I have to start compiling it probably today.

AEW Dynamite, Wednesday, 8/7c, TBS and HBO Max

AEW WrestleDream, Sundays, 8/7c, Pay-Per-View and HBO Max