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In regard to rumors that Samoa Joe is working without a TNA deal or with a TNA deal that is set to expire in a few months, both are incorrect. Similar rumors came up a few months back, including one that claimed Joe was going to sign a WWE developmental deal.
On 10/13/07, during TNA Bound for Glory weekend in Atlanta, I interviewed Joe for the PWInsider.com Elite section. The interview, which is still available, featured Joe commenting on his contractual status and his reaction to the rumors of his departure at that time:
"It's not so much frustration, but it's funny. I first heard [the rumors] when I came to work, to TNA. I came to the taping and I think BG James threw a comment at me, something like, 'Hey look, there's the 50 thousand dollar man' or something. Someone laughed and I kind of looked at him and said, 'What does that mean' and he said that the big rumor on the Internet was that you wanted to leave TNA to sign a $50,000 WWE developmental deal. I kind of looked around and said, 'What!'
Honestly, that's pretty stupid. I don't know why I'd work three times as hard for a fraction of what I'm making now. It definitely was an unfounded rumor. I guess it was a slow news week day and someone said, 'Oh, let's make something up.'
As far as there being any truth to the rumors, none at all. I'm still signed to TNA for a few more years now and last time I checked, contracts are still legally binding, so I'm good to go."
So, there you have it.
PWInsider.com has confirmed with TNA sources that Joe is "locked up, long term" with sources indicating he is signed through 2010 or 2011.
Similar status rumors plagued the TNA status of Team 3D in recent months with reports indicating they were leaving the company, when they are actually signed through September 2008.
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