More Backstage News On Samoa Joe Signing A New WWE Contract, Ring Of Honor's Deal Playing A Factor

- We noted earlier via PWTorch.com that WWE officials were so impressed with Samoa Joe and his merchandise sales that Vince McMahon and Triple H personally pushed for him to sign a full-time WWE deal. PWInsider confirms that Joe has indeed been signed to a full-time deal and that's why he was at RAW last night, defeating Tyson Kidd in a match that took place before RAW went on the air.

Besides the success of Joe's t-shirt sales and his NXT performances, the fact that his appearances for Ring of Honor will now air on national cable TV also played into the decision to sign him to a full-time deal.

Joe's current NXT deal reportedly has a clause that would let WWE sign him to a full-time deal. WWE chose to execute that clause this past Thursday after ROH announced their deal with Destination America. Both Joe and WWE signed an addendum to the original deal, now making him a full-time WWE worker.