Change is coming to AEW, and it’s all down to an indomitable star returning and realizing that leadership may have been the issue.
Back in May, Samoa Joe revealed that he was taking a leave of absence from AEW, transferring leadership of The Opps to HOOK.
With Joe now firmly fixed on the future in AEW, despite a crowded landscape, the star took a shot at leadership decisions:
Trouble at the top
When Samoa Joe took his leave of absence to film season three of Twisted Metal, he left HOOK in charge of The Opps, with a less-than-stellar record in matches between late May and his return in September.
While The Opps would see success at ROH Global Wars Cincinnati, defeating BEEF & The Premiere Athletes (Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese) on June 24, their most recent outing as a faction was The Buy In show for AEW All In: London on August 30, losing to Lio Rush & The Rascalz.
Under HOOK’s leadership, Action Andretti would be added to the faction after they provided interference that saw him capture the ROH World Television Championship from Rush at Death Before Dishonor.
Samoa Joe made a proclamation on AEW Collision, making it clear that things were going to change when it comes to how The Opps are perceived, stating:
“You know, I wanna to take some time to extoll on the importance of perception.
“You see, a while ago, The Opps were perceived as an entity who should not be approached and, if so, with all caution.
“It seems as of late maybe that perception has changed just a little bit. It seems that people are barking a little bit louder in our presence.
“Now, I have to admit, if that’s anything, it’s a failure in leadership. Or, maybe it’s a failure in who we let lead.
“But, the bottom line is this, the man who came back and immediately choked out your TNT Champion is here. The man who came back and made your AEW World Champion tap out is here. And, I guarantee you that the perception of The Opps will change, or maybe we change the nature of the beast.”
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So many dogs barking
Formed in February 2025, The Opps are no stranger to the factions in AEW, although Samoa Joe has returned at a time that sees new threats emerge.
Jay White has brought together members of The Dogs and Bang Bang Gang to form The Cut, currently tied in a feud with Death Riders, while Don Callis has recently sought to take the AEW championships and seems intent on adding Ilja Dragunov to the mix. In addition, Will Ospreay, the World Champion Samoa Joe made tap, has formed United Empire and will no doubt expand that membership.
For The Opps to show dominance with so many challengers would be a bold move, but Samoa Joe may have other things mind.
The nature of the beast
Samoa Joe suggesting that those “who we let lead” may have been responsible for the perception of The Opps and later suggesting that changing “the nature of the beast” may be an option could place HOOK in a precarious position.
The star was all but, and perhaps not surprisingly, silent during Samoa Joe’s proclamation, but being targeted by the powerhouse is something that shouldn’t sit well with him.
Whether this marks the end of HOOK’s time as a founding member of the faction or not remains to be seen. The pair haven’t faced each other in singles action since January 2024, with Samoa Joe retaining the AEW World Championship.
New direction
The Opps could be a force to be reckoned with, though their tenure in AEW has seen just two title reigns: Samoa Joe as World Champion, along with his time as World Trios Champion with Powerhouse Hobbs and Shibata. The latter was lost to Jet Set Rodeo (‘Hangman’ Adam Page, Kevin Knight & ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey), who have now all gone in their own directions.
It’s not impossible for The Opps to be a dominant force in AEW, but there’s a lot of competition in that very narrow space.
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