BREAKING: 5-Time WWE Champion Announces He Is Stepping Away From AEW

A top AEW star will not be seen in the company for a while.

The Opps are one of the most dominant factions in All Elite Wrestling. The current members include Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata, HOOK, and Anthony Bowens.

Sadly, things didn’t go according to plan for The Opps at Double or Nothing 2026. The Death Riders defeated Shibata, HOOK, and Bowens in a trios match during the pre-show.

Samoa Joe also suffered a loss at the pay-per-view, against Will Ospreay, in a Men’s Owen Hart Cup quarterfinal bout.

Huge announcement on AEW Collision

During the latest edition of Collision, The Opps were seen in a backstage segment. Samoa Joe addressed the faction’s disappointing results this past week, but still hyped every member up.

The Samoan Submission Machine then announced that he will be stepping away from AEW for a few months because “Hollywood’s ringing.”

Check out Samoa Joe’s full statement below:

It hasn’t been the best week for the organization. That does not mean the mission changes. You see, when I founded The Opps, this was an organization about position. But more importantly, opportunity. We stand in opposition of any who stand in our way. And we provide opportunities for men who deserve them.

Hook just finished his latest movie. Shibata owns the hottest chain of pachinko parlors across Nara. And soon, Bowens, you’ll get the standing ovation that you deserve.

But once again, opportunity calls and Hollywood’s ringing. Gentlemen, I’ll be stepping away for a few months. You know how all this works. I expect you to hold it down.

A tough week won’t stop The Opps!

The mission remains the same as opportunity continues to call!

Watch #AEWCollision LIVE on TBS + HBO Max pic.twitter.com/F6mmwgH9TA

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 28, 2026

It looks like Joe is taking a hiatus to film Season 3 of Twisted Metal, where he portrays the role of Sweet Tooth.

Give H/T to TJR Wrestling if you use the quotes in the article.