Behind the curtain of WWE’s entertainment spectacle, interactions between wrestlers and top figures often yield memorable moments. Just Joe, a former WWE talent from the early 2000s, recently shared a backstage encounter he had with Triple H that left a lasting impression.
Back in 2000 and 2001, Just Joe, whose real name is Joe E. Legend, entered WWE after gaining recognition on the independent circuit alongside fellow Canadians Edge and Christian. During his brief tenure in the company, he found himself in an amusing exchange with Triple H.
Speaking on the Cheap Heat Productions Podcast, Joe recounted a conversation he had with The Game in the catering area. Frustrated by his lack of storyline direction, he decided to vent his feelings and showcase his mixed martial arts background to Triple H. What transpired next was a humorous misunderstanding:
“He goes, ‘Think you could kick my a**?'” Joe quoted Triple H. In response, Joe jokingly patted Triple H on the shoulder and replied, “Paul [Levesque], you’d be dead before you hit the ground,” before walking away laughing, expecting a lighthearted response. However, the outcome was unexpected, as Triple H never spoke to him again.
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At that time, Triple H was a mainstay in WWE’s main events, while Joe primarily appeared on syndicated shows like Jakked and Sunday Night Heat.
Triple H’s Advice and Joe’s WWE Journey
Triple H, known for his cerebral approach to wrestling and character development, had some advice for Just Joe during their conversation. He suggested that Joe needed to develop a character in WWE that reflected his real-life persona. However, Joe had a different perspective on his “Just Joe” character:
“He’s like, ‘Well, you’ve gotta have a gimmick that’s kinda like your real life,'” Joe recalled. “I’m like, ‘Yeah, but this Just Joe character, he’s scared to fight everybody. I have four black belts. I’ll fight anybody! I’m not saying I’ll win every fight, but I can handle myself.'”
Joe’s stint in WWE was relatively short-lived, with his last televised match taking place on the December 2, 2000, episode of Jakked, where he teamed up with Funaki in a losing effort against The Dudley Boyz.
