NJPW Star Makes AEW Return To Attack Samoa Joe

Things didn’t quite go to plan for Samoa Joe on Dynamite.

In recent months, Samoa Joe and The Opps have been fighting the good fight against the Death Riders. This saw the faction called into “Team AEW” at Double or Nothing to face the group, but since then, the war has continued.

After another multi-man match at Grand Slam Mexico, Joe was back in singles action on the July 9 episode of Dynamite against Wheeler Yuta.

Although Yuta got in more offence than some might have expected, as he was serenaded by “get a haircut” chants from the crowd, he ultimately came up short after Joe trapped him in the Coquina Clutch.

Samoa Joe Attacked On Dynamite

Despite victory being secured, Joe was quickly attacked from behind by Gabe Kidd. Yuta rallied and joined in the assault before Powerhouse Hobbs and Katsuyori Shibata ran in to make the save.

In recent days, Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta have challenged The Opps to a match for the World Trios Titles, as they look to regain the titles they lost to the Samoa Joe-led group back in April. But with Jon Moxley defending the World Championship against “Hangman” Adam Page at All In, there’s an open spot for a third man, a spot that could well be filled by Kidd.

The appearance was Kidd’s first in AEW since attempting to help the Death Riders to victory in Anarchy in the Arena at Double or Nothing on May 25.

He was most recently in action on July 4, where he defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi at NJPW New Japan Soul 2025 to retain the IWGP Global Heavyweight Title.

Elsewhere on Dynamite, MJF got very personal with Mark Briscoe, making several references to his late brother Jay in a fiery promo battle.