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With Twisted Metal Season 2 now streaming on Peacock, Samoa Joe has once again stepped into the role of Sweet Tooth — the sadistic, larger-than-life clown who has become one of the most iconic and twisted figures in video game history. In a conversation for PWInsiderElite.com, Joe opened up about bringing the character back to life, the physical demands of the show, his personal connection to the franchise, and how this Hollywood chapter fits alongside his in-ring career.
“I’m doing great, Mike,” Joe began. “Season one was fun in the fact that Twisted Metal’s a property that I’m very familiar with. I grew up playing the games, spent hours on the couch blowing up all my friends for days at a time when the game first came out. It was definitely a deep understanding of the games and the lore, throughout the series through Black and beyond. Sitting down with our showrunner, Michael Jonathan Smith, and figuring out what characteristics we wanted to pick from each iteration of Sweet Tooth to create this one for the television show — going back through the games, watching cut scenes, getting a vibe for Sweet Tooth at his most violent and Sweet Tooth at his silliest — and bringing that together, that really was the initial. Getting together with Will Arnett and figuring out how this guy acts, his mannerisms, his quirks, that was also a fun process. Coming into second season, we had the system down pretty well, and it was much smoother and a lot easier to slip into.”
The transition from the ring to the set wasn’t without its challenges.
“Normally I would say the ring is always a much more precarious place to be in, but halfway through the season, I fractured my ankle,” Joe revealed. “Nothing crazy — we had done a series of pretty crazy driving stunts and some dangerous things here and there. Then it was just parking, and I had to hop out the back on some really rocky, busted-up asphalt. I turned my ankle and spent the rest of the season taping it up and limping through it. Twisted Metal is incredibly physical — fighting scenes, driving scenes. Anytime that car is driving, you see me in it, it’s me. It’s a demanding role, but spending enough time in the ring as I have, it’s no new territory.”
Joe’s history with gaming runs deep, making the offer to play Sweet Tooth a surreal moment.
“Honestly, I was pretty taken aback initially,” he said. “It was very much out of the blue. I wasn’t expecting it, I wasn’t fostering it, I wasn’t even thinking about it. A good friend of mine, Carter Swan, contacted me after probably eight years — just being busy — and wanted to bring me in to do Sweet Tooth. I was all in from the get-go. I couldn’t think of a cooler character to do right now. It really was a meshing of my favorite things all culminating into this, and here we are in season two, and I’m really enjoying it.”
Part of what makes Twisted Metal’s action so memorable is the stunt work, much of which has been practical, which Joe says reminded him of his wrestling roots.
“It definitely gives you a greater respect for the craft,” Joe said. “Some of these guys really went above and beyond pushing the limits of those cars and creating incredible catastrophic stunts. The stuntmen are the cousins of the pro wrestlers — our lingo is the same, the way we think about things is the same. It’s easy to match with those guys and appreciate their efforts even more.”
This season, Sweet Tooth embarks on a quest to become the “greatest murderer in the entire world,” leading to some bizarre and violent encounters.
“I remember getting the initial scripts and reading the Big Baby fight. At this point, you learn who your showrunners are, and it didn’t seem farfetched — it seemed par for the course,” Joe laughed. “It was a reaffirmation that we were all the way back in and we were gonna make it wild as possible. I’m always devilishly surprised at what’s there.”
Visually, the authenticity of Sweet Tooth’s mask and costume was a major production point.
“Credit to our production team,” Joe praised. “They manifested this version of Sweet Tooth and especially the mask. It’s definitely Twisted Metal: Black-based, but with nods to other versions. The painting, the weathering, the blood staining — all meticulously hand done. My hat’s off to them.”
Joe addressed working with Anthony Mackie (“John Doe”) and Stephanie Beatriz (“Quiet”).
“Anthony’s a wiry fellow, scrappy. Don’t let the Juilliard education fool you. He’s a New Orleans boy, a leader on set, very much his baby as much as anybody else’s, and he does his best to support the team. I’m lucky to work with someone like that. Stephanie’s a force of nature — incredibly talented, great comedic timing, magnetic on screen. Her daughter’s a big fan of me; most of my time is spent entertaining her with the Sweet Tooth mask.”
Joe also spoke highly of his co-star Mike Mitchell, who plays Sweet Tooth’s right-hand man, Stu.
“With a guy like Mike, it’s very easy,” Joe said. “Very talented actor, very funny, great comedic timing. Anytime we’re in the car together, we’re having a good time. We have a great rapport outside of the show. It’s a rare opportunity, and he’s one of the best I’ve had the opportunity to work with.”
The Toronto shoot for season two provided some unforgettable Twisted Metal backdrops.
“They really have some unique set pieces you can’t find anywhere else,” Joe said. “Diesel City in Episode 4 was filmed in a massive old decommissioned power plant — a massive dystopian framework of steel and metal. Later in the season, we filmed in beautiful old brick factory locations and even a high school. The people who dress the sets have a blast with it.”
As for how this acting role fits into his pro wrestling future:
“It doesn’t really alter, it just adds to what I do,” Joe explained. “I’ve had a fantastic opportunity to be a part of the wrestling industry for over 25 years and to entertain fans the world over. I’d like to continue to do that for a short while longer, but I’m not one that wants to overstay my welcome. Obviously there are new opportunities that open up with things like this, but I’m taking it one year at a time and seeing what opportunities come my way. I like to let things cosmically unfold as they will.”
Joe compared AEW’s growth to other promotions he’s helped build.
“Obviously the time and scale is vastly different, but I’ve been able to come into companies in their infancy and contribute to making them bigger and better brands,” he said. “As long as I’m contributing and fans are enjoying what I’m doing, I’ll continue to do so.”
When asked what his own “Calypso wish” would be if he won the series’ ultimate race:
“For pro wrestling to be loved the world over.”
And as for when he’ll be seen again in AEW?
“Definitely sooner than later,” Joe promised. “We’re clearing our various medical protocols, and as soon as we’re done with that, we’ll be back to business.”
Twisted Metal Season 2 is streaming now on Peacock, with Samoa Joe delivering a performance that’s equal parts chaotic, violent, and unforgettable — much like his wrestling career.
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