Samoa Joe has announced he has relinquished the WWE NXT Championship due to injury.
Joe had won the title at NXT TakeOver 36 on August 22, beating Karrion Kross to become a three-time NXT Champion.
He had made his return to the brand, first as an enforcer to General Manager William Regal, in June, two months after he had been released by WWE during their latest round of talent cuts.
In a video posted to Twitter, Joe explained: "Upon my recent return my goals were very simple, I sought to ensure the respect and integrity due to both NXT and its championship.
"I sought to ensure that everybody understood that the needs of one individual will never outstrip the sum of the brand. Today I find myself having to stand on those principles.
"Recently, WWE Medical informed me that due to certain injuries they would like to have me step away from the ring for a brief, but still indeterminate amount of time," he continued.
"This week we are on the cusp of a new NXT, we are on the brink of a new era in our history and I realise that era deserves a fighting champion."
Related: WWE confirms Triple H is recovering from a "cardiac event"
NXT is currently going through a revamp, with its show this Tuesday (September 14) serving as a relaunch for the product.
It has been reported that NXT is to transition back to focusing more on developing talent, rather than being WWE's third brand.
Last month, a new, colourful NXT logo was revealed, along with a new theme song from rapper Wale.
The change comes not long after NXT moved from being live head-to-head with AEW Dynamite on Wednesday nights to airing on Tuesday nights in the US.
Catch up on Raw, Smackdown, NXT and all the big WWE action via the WWE Network or BT Sport. US viewers can access the WWE Network via Peacock.
BT Sport Watch WWE with BT Sport Monthly Pass
![WWE: Undertaker - The Last Ride [Blu-ray]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1606221392-41TwUv7nM5L.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "WWE: Undertaker - The Last Ride [Blu-ray]")
WWE/Fremantle WWE: Undertaker - The Last Ride [Blu-ray]
![WWE: WrestleMania 36 [DVD]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1593768224-51tV0j3hBSL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "WWE: WrestleMania 36 [DVD]")
WWE: WrestleMania 36 [DVD]
![WWE: Finn Bálor - For Everyone (Hand Signed Alternative Sleeve) [DVD]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1593767922-51iAp6CNiNL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "WWE: Finn Bálor - For Everyone (Hand Signed Alternative Sleeve) [DVD]")
WWE: Finn Bálor - For Everyone (Hand Signed Alternative Sleeve) [DVD]
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stephanie is a writer who specialises in pro wrestling, covering everything from AEW and WWE to NJPW.
After graduating with a degree in history from Queen Mary University, London, she went on to study journalism at Birbeck University.
Outside of her journalism work Stephanie is also a YouTube content creator focusing on AEW and interviewing talent from AEW, WWE, and across the indie wrestling scene. She has also worked for Revolution Pro Wrestling as a backstage interviewer and commentator.
