WRESTLING NEWS
The Best Samoa Joe Matches
By BENJAMIN FALBO
Ring Of Honor 2004
Self-proclaimed 'Best in the World,' CM Punk has been part of an epic saga with Samoa Joe over the years. With Joe's streak of dominance and Punk's resilience, their first encounter at the ROH World Title Classic in 2004 didn't have a definite winner, with both men outlasting each other until the 60-minute time limit had elapsed.
Joe vs. Punk II 2004
With their first encounter ending in a time-limit draw, their rematch was eagerly anticipated, and ROH went all in, naming the event Joe Vs. Punk II. Both wrestlers were more prepared for each other this time around, but after an hour of vicious exchanges and near-pinfalls with neither man relenting, the clock expired — again.
All Star Extravaganza II
After two draws, ROH opted to have no time limit for the 2004 All Star Extravaganza II. After 30 minutes of brutal back-and-forth combat, Joe decimated Punk with a series of different suplexes before cinching in the choke, beating Punk and putting an end to their now-legendary trilogy.
ROH At Our Best 2004
Inside a daunting steel cage, this brutal one-on-one match against Jay Briscoe had viewers watching in awe of the unnerving violence as Joe appears to be on the verge of losing. Briscoe's never-say-die attitude and Joe's super muscle buster — which closes out the match — is a visual that will stand the test of time.
ROH Generation Next 2004
At the peak of this match's violence, Homicide busted out his fork to horrifically jab at Joe's cranium. In an impressive exchange, Joe was able to break out of Homicide's Cop Killa and deck him with a devastating lariat. One muscle buster later and Joe secured the win, successfully holding onto his ROH Championship title.