In November 2007, Samoa Joe found himself in an intense real-life altercation with wrestling veteran Kevin Nash after publicly calling out Nash’s longtime friend, Scott Hall, for no-showing their TNA Turning Point pay-per-view match. What began as a fiery promo quickly spiraled into a heated backstage confrontation, blurring the lines between performance and personal loyalty in a way both men would never forget.
Samoa Joe and Kevin Nash’s heated backstage altercation became a memorable moment in TNA’s history, revealing the raw emotions that existed behind the scenes. Photo Credit: TNA.
Scott Hall’s TNA Return: A Risky Gamble
Despite his ongoing struggles, Scott Hall’s return to TNA in 2007 sparked intrigue and delivered high ratings. Photo Credit: TNA.
On September 13th, 2007, TNA made a bold move by bringing Scott Hall back to professional wrestling.
Scott Hall’s return to TNA marked a strategic move during a complex period in the company’s leadership structure. While Dixie Carter held the position of TNA President since Panda Energy International’s 2002 acquisition, Jeff Jarrett remained influential in creative decisions despite no longer being the majority owner.
Speaking on his “My World” podcast in 2023, Jarrett revealed the business rationale behind bringing in established stars like Hall.
“When I’m looking at an AJ Styles or a Chris Daniels, or a Chris Harris, or a James Storm or Eric Young or Bobby Roode — when I’m looking these guys in the face… I wanted them to succeed. But I also knew very well they’re all frustrated. ‘Wait a minute, you’re bringing Hall and Nash in here, and they ain’t taking that many bumps? And I know they’re getting paid more than me.'”
Despite backstage resistance, Hall’s September 13th return segment on the weekly Impact! television show became an instant success, drawing the highest viewership since TNA expanded to a two-hour format. Specifically, it captured the highest-rated segment in the crucial 18-49 male demographic at the time.
Backstage Dynamics and Potential Resistance to Hall’s TNA Return
Scott Hall, seen here as his iconic Razor Ramon character in WWE, brought renewed intrigue and high ratings with his return to TNA in 2007, despite his well-known struggles. Photo Credit: WWE.
Despite the success of the initial ratings, Jeff Jarrett acknowledged the potential backstage resistance.
“I’m sure there were guys saying, ‘He’s taking my money, he’s taking my spot, he’s gonna screw up—look at his track record, why are you guys doing this?'”
The management team, including Jarrett and Carter, was fully aware of Hall’s personal struggles but saw value in his star power. Given their long-standing friendship, they hoped Kevin Nash’s presence would provide needed stability.
Kevin Nash’s Influence on Scott Hall’s TNA Comeback
Kevin Nash’s longstanding friendship and influence played a key role in Scott Hall’s TNA comeback—a decision rooted in loyalty as much as business. Photo Credit: WWE.
Kevin Nash’s influence played a crucial role in bringing Scott Hall to TNA. Jeff Jarrett explained their long history.”It goes without saying. Kevin was probably the guy that brought up [Hall coming to the company]. Scott had always had a soft spot in my heart.”
Jarrett elaborated on his personal connection to both men, dating back to their WWE days.
“Kevin got to the WWF, I think, ’93. I got there at the end of ’93, but in ’94, me and Kevin traveled a lot together. We traveled the roads and roomed together, and worked out together. Kevin was a mentor to me in the gym. He, along with obviously Scott, they mentored me in so many ways.”
As Jarrett later admitted, the decision to bring Hall in was ultimately driven more by emotion than business sense. “We probably made the decision with our heart and not our head.”
Crisis at Turning Point: Scott Hall’s No-Show
Scott Hall’s unexpected no-show at TNA’s Turning Point pay-per-view created a backstage crisis, triggering frustration and setting the stage for one of TNA’s most intense backstage confrontations. Photo Credit: TNA.
Soon after Scott Hall’s successful return to TNA, the promotion faced a significant crisis at their December 2nd, 2007, Turning Point pay-per-view. Hall, scheduled for a high-profile six-man tag team match, failed to appear.
According to backstage sources at the time, Hall claimed “food poisoning” as the reason for his absence, though this explanation was met with skepticism from many within TNA.
Jeff Jarrett, speaking on his “My World” podcast, revealed the management’s perspective.
“Delusional optimism. I just thought, ‘He’ll be here.’ I was trying to wrap my brain and think things through.”
He continued, “Who did he deliver that food poisoning message to? Was it Terry Taylor? Was it my voicemail? I don’t recall either one of those. Did he call Kevin, and Kevin delivered that message?I do remember thinking, ‘Man, I hope he gets here.’ I do recall there being a chance he makes it because he lives so close. There were no airports involved. Get in your car and come over here.”
The situation created immediate tension backstage, particularly given the investment TNA had made in building up the six-man main event.
According to reports from that night, Samoa Joe was particularly frustrated with the situation. The creative team, led by Vince Russo and under Jarrett’s guidance, made the decision to address the situation live on pay-per-view.
“The direction I gave is reality-based,” Jarrett explained. “Russo is going to produce it. So Russo and Samoa Joe got together on that. I remember saying, ‘Keep it short and keep it open-ended.’
“There wasn’t a lot of meat on the bone. You start burying the guy who those people in the crowd paid to see in the main event, and you kind of are spitting in the wind. You had to say that Scott wasn’t here but then build Eric Young up.”
This decision would lead to one of TNA’s most memorable and controversial moments, setting the stage for the confrontation between Joe and Nash that would follow.
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Samoa Joe’s Unfiltered Promo on Scott Hall’s No-Show
Samoa Joe, known for his fierce mic skills, didn’t hold back in his promo, delivering a brutal message about Scott Hall’s no-show at TNA Turning Point 2007. Photo Credit: WWE.
With Kevin Nash standing across the ring, Samoa Joe addressed Scott Hall’s absence with raw emotion and unflinching honesty.
The promo began with Joe revealing the backstage directive he’d received:
“You know what? I’ll tell you what. Backstage, I was told to come out here, and they said, ‘Joe, the fans love ya, and if there’s one thing they trust, it’s you… And we want you to go out there, and we want you to tell these people something that’ll make them satisfied with the fact that Scott Hall no-showed this event tonight.'”
His voice rising with intensity, Joe continued.
“I would LOVE to tell you people that he’d be coming down that ramp a little bit later on, but the fact of the matter is he punked out on me, and he punked out on every single fan in this building tonight.”
As Nash watched with visible frustration, Joe seized the moment.
“I was back there, and I said, ‘Well, you know what? I could walk out there. I could go two on three with Kevin and make the best of it.’ But you know what else? I realized another thing: they just gave me a live mic on pay-per-view.”
Joe then launched into a passionate defense of TNA’s dedicated performers.
“In TNA, we have two types of wrestlers. We have TNA die-hards who come here and entertain and bust their *** for these fans every night of the week! And we got superstars who think they can come and do whatever they want, however they feel like.
“We have superstars who come out here and not only screw us, the hard-working wrestlers of TNA, but they screw each and every fan who paid to see them, no matter how old they are.
“TNA is The Motor City Machine Guns coming out here and busting their *** and trying to make a break in this business.
“TNA is Black Machismo doing his [best] to entertain every single fan in this building.
“TNA is Samoa Joe coming in here and doing what he does best, wrestling and being the best professional wrestler in the world.
“TNA is a bunch of hard-working young athletes who are looking to change the wrestling world, guys who held down this while others profiteer from it.
“TNA is the men who come in here, risk their lives on scaffoldings on wires while others show up and pass their pensions.”
The promo reached its crescendo as Joe directly addressed the absent Hall.
“So, I’ll tell you what, Scott Hall. Chico, kiss my ***. You punked out, and you’re a punk.”
He concluded defiantly, “Are you mad? No, go ahead and fire me; I don’t care.”
Joe then announced Eric Young as his replacement partner, adding a final barb that even when Young became an old man, he would still be ready to fight – unlike Nash’s best friend, Scott Hall.
Backstage Showdown: Samoa Joe and Kevin Nash Clash
Kevin Nash was visibly frustrated by Samoa Joe’s words and felt the need to stand up for his close friend, Scott Hall. Photo Credit: WWE.
The tension that had built during Samoa Joe’s live promo erupted backstage. Kevin Nash was not only upset about the disrespect shown to his friend Scott Hall by Samoa Joe on live television, but he also felt disrespected himself.
After the segment ended and the wrestlers returned to the backstage area, Nash’s anger escalated when he learned that the promo had not been scripted. Speaking on his “Kliq This” podcast, Nash detailed the encounter.
“I walked up to him and asked him, ‘What the **** was that? Was that from Russo or yours?’ He smirked and said, ‘That was mine.’ So I ******* open-hand smacked him.”
According to Nash, when Joe attempted to stand up, Nash delivered a second slap, after which Joe backed away from the confrontation.
Kevin Nash Reflects on the 2007 TNA Confrontation
Kevin Nash, years later, expressed understanding for Samoa Joe’s perspective, noting the friendship they had built since the incident. Photo Credit: WWE.
In a YouShoot interview, Kevin Nash responded to a fan who suggested he had a “hissy fit” that night.
He stated, "Was it a hissy fit? I smacked someone in the face twice. I said, ‘Don’t disrespect me, and don’t disrespect Scott.’ When [Samoa] Joe got up, I thought he was going to come at me, so I smacked him in the head again, and he didn’t do anything."
Kevin Nash continued, "The next day, Joe apologized in front of the whole crew. That’s a hissy fit on my part? I mean, Joe and I are friends, but you’re not going to be disrespectful to me."
Samoa Joe Reflects on His Actions
Samoa Joe, with time and hindsight, recognized the deeper meaning behind Nash’s reaction and reflected on his own role. Photo Credit: WWE.
In an interview with AllWrestling.com’s Dan The Cannon, Samoa Joe provided his perspective.
“There was an incident where Scott Hall no-showed. They handed me the mic and said, ‘Get him!’ That’s what I was told. I went out there and got him.”
He continued, “I ruffled a lot of feathers that day, in particular, Kevin Nash. Kevin knew about the demons Scott was facing. But none of us knew the extent of Hall’s issues.”
“Kevin Nash was upset, and Kevin’s a friend of mine. I know Kevin at the time was really struggling with Scott, you know, just caring about him, putting him in rehab, pulling him out. He went through it at the time with Scott, you know, as his friend, as his brother.”
Joe acknowledged the communication breakdown that led to the confrontation.
“I apologized to Kevin because I felt terrible about it. Nobody had clued him up. Nobody had communicated in the back, which was a huge problem in TNA. Which is part of why I inevitably left the company was just people not talking to each other.”
Scott Hall’s Final Years: A Battle Beyond the Ring
In his final years, Scott Hall faced serious health challenges, but with the help of friends like Diamond Dallas Page, he made a remarkable recovery. His life and legacy were honored by close friends and fans alike before his passing on March 14, 2022, at age 63. Photo Credit: WWE. Artwork by Pro Wrestling Stories.
Scott Hall’s health declined significantly after leaving TNA in 2010. Following WWE’s intervention, he entered rehabilitation and received medical treatment, including the implantation of a pacemaker and defibrillator. The year proved particularly challenging as Hall battled double pneumonia twice, with seizures following in 2011.
Jeff Jarrett reflected on Hall’s TNA period on his podcast, stating, “The identity of Scott Hall at this stage of his life was complicated. He couldn’t repair his relationship with his ex-wife and kids, so Scott’s purpose became about hanging out with his buddies.”
Diamond Dallas Page extended a lifeline through his DDP Yoga program, documented in “The Resurrection of Jake the Snake.” The footage showed a wheelchair-bound Hall being picked up at the airport by DDP and Jake Roberts, himself recovering from addiction. Through their combined efforts, Hall made remarkable progress, eventually regaining his mobility and being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
In early March 2022, Hall suffered a fall at home, breaking his hip. According to his longtime friend Sean Waltman, he lay unable to move or reach his phone for several days until Diamond Dallas Page discovered him. Following hip replacement surgery, Hall developed a blood clot, which led to three heart attacks, placing him on life support.
In Hall’s final moments, the wrestling camaraderie that defined his life came together one last time. Kevin Nash shared on his “Kliq This” podcast:
"All the Kliq guys got on speakerphone, and we all talked to him. All we did was cry. Seven hours later, Scott was still alive."
Scott Hall passed away on March 14, 2022, at age 63.
Camaraderie in Wrestling: Bonds That Outlast the Ring
The 2007 backstage altercation between Samoa Joe and Kevin Nash exposed raw emotions and tested loyalties in TNA, ultimately forging a bond of respect that has endured beyond the ring. Photo Credit: TNA.
The infamous 2007 altercation between Samoa Joe and Kevin Nash has become a defining moment in TNA’s history, highlighting the powerful connections and complex loyalties within wrestling. Raw emotions flared, leading to a heated confrontation that ultimately forged a lasting bond of respect between Joe and Nash.
Today, both wrestlers reflect on that time with mutual understanding, acknowledging the friendship and loyalty that emerged from such conflict. The shared experiences of wrestlers like Joe, Nash, and Hall underscore a simple truth: behind the intense rivalries and hard-hitting promos, the wrestling ring is a place where true camaraderie is built.
Pro Wrestling Stories is committed to accurate, unbiased wrestling content rigorously fact-checked and verified by our team of researchers and editors. Any inaccuracies are quickly corrected, with updates timestamped in the article's byline header.
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Braeden Farrell is a senior writer for Pro Wrestling Stories. He is a long-time fan of wrestling based out of Adelaide, Australia. He can be reached on Twitter @braedenfazza.
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