Samoa Joe to leave ROH in March

Legend and icon are words that get used far too often these days to refer to someone who is of merely above average importance. However when referring to Samoa Joe and his importance to Ring of Honor, then these terms seem to hardly do justice to a man who has been the heart of soul of the company for the past 3 years. It's fair to say that without Joe there might not have been a Ring of Honor in 2007. His near 2 year title reign in 2003/4 gave the company stability at a time when it was going through the kind of internal upheavals that have seen other company's fold. His 60 minute matches with CM Punk gave the company an identity and helped elevate it from being 'just another indie', while his 5 star match against Kenta Kobashi in 2004 helped establish ROH on the world stage and secured his position as one of the best wrestlers in the world today.

Despite a lacklustre 2006, where his role in TNA was becoming a constant bone of contention for ROH fans, Joe was gearing up for a much more significant 2007 as he began a feud with Pro Wrestling NOAH ahead of ROH's Japanese debut in July. However, just as that began to get going Joe has announced he is leaving ROH and the moment that all ROH fans dreaded has come to pass - Joe is leaving ROH.

Many will blame TNA and their drive to become a genuine number 2 company in America, and seeing as he is a contracted member of their roster then you cannot blame them for wanting to protect one of their most valuable commodities. However at the end of the day Joe has done everything and beaten everyone of any consequence in ROH, so perhaps it is time for him to move on before the fans get bored of him? If it is one thing that ROH prides itself on is stopping the product from getting stale and so perhaps now it is time for them to make the ultimate sacrifice and cut loose their biggest star before he becomes a liability rather than an asset.

For whatever reason Joe has made this decision he will leave behind him a body of work that is unparalleld in the company and he leaves a roster with too many superstar to name that have been made by working with him (Homicide, Austin Aries, the Briscoes, Bryan Danielson and more). Whatever happens in TNA he will always be an ROH legend and this will be Joe's legacy. Whatever happens to him down the road then he will always have the adoration of the ROH faitful to fall back on, because unlike any other member of that roster Joe is not just pro-wrestling, Joe is Ring of Honor.

We will miss you Joe!