January 1, Samoa Joe Earns Spot in AEW’s Brutal New Endurance Test

Wyatt’s Take

• Samoa Joe proved once again that toughness and skill still matter in the ring.
• AEW is giving fans a real endurance battle instead of flash and gimmicks.
• Real men still settle scores the old-fashioned way with hard work and grit.

Samoa Joe punched his ticket to the Clockwork Carnage match at AEW WrestleDream. The veteran star earned his spot by defeating Jack Perry in a qualifying match at Grand Slam France on Tuesday night.

Perry fought hard and tried to take the fight to the top rope late in the contest. Joe stopped him cold with a kick to the head, locked in the Muscle Buster, and slammed him down for the pin.

“It’s the ultimate endurance test for any pro wrestler,” Will Ospreay told AEW’s Renee Paquette during Grand Slam France. “It’s going to give seven opportunities to seven worthy contenders.”

Ospreay already secured his place as champion by beating Kazuchika Okada on the same night. That victory locked him into the Clockwork Carnage match at WrestleDream next weekend.

AEW announced the new match format over the weekend. Eight wrestlers will enter one by one, and the last man standing after a 15-minute scoring period will be crowned the winner.

“Speedball” Mike Bailey will face Lee Moriarty on Saturday’s Collision for another spot in the match. The winner will join Joe and Ospreay in the brutal endurance test.

WrestleDream is set for October 17 at the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida.

Wyatt Matters

Hard work, toughness, and respect for the craft are values that still matter in Middle America. When men like Samoa Joe earn their place through grit instead of shortcuts, it reminds us that real success comes from discipline and heart.