AEW Star Samoa Joe Names His Hardest-Hitting Opponent

Throughout his lengthy career spanning many promotions, from Ring of Honor, to TNA, to WWE, and now, AEW, Samoa Joe has faced off against many hard-hitting opponents. The star, recently returned to AEW with his sights set on Will Ospreay's AEW World Championship, sat down with "SHAK Wrestling" and played a game to determine just who hit him hardest in the ring.

He was given two names to start with, and the winner stayed on. Joe was first tasked with choosing between Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle.

"Kurt, I think it's the battle of technique vs. raw, unbridled power," Joe said. "I think they both, they have great technique. They both have their own kind of reserved power, but I think when you talk about the balance, I think Brock hits a little bit harder. Kurt, maybe a little bit more technical prowess."

Lesnar beat out Shinsuke Nakamura, Bryan Danielson, and Claudio Castagnoli for Joe, though he had to think a bit when comparing Lesnar to Castagnoli. He said "The Beast Incarnate" also hit harder than Nigel McGuiness and Necro Butcher, though Butcher was another name Joe to think about for a moment. Minoru Suzuki was also beaten out by Lesnar, as well as Low Ki, with some further contemplation that Joe called "the choice of a generation."

"We're going to go destructive potential, but extreme enthusiasm, and effort and a very, very close call, but we're going to stick with Brock," Joe said.

Finally, when Lesnar was compared to Kenta Kobashi, Joe once again choose Lesnar. He said he faced off against an older Kobashi, who was a touch less explosive, and named "The Beast" his hardest-hitting opponent.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit "SHAK Wrestling" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.