Editing Samoa Joe (section)

=== Early career (1999–2001) ===
Seanoa became involved in professional wrestling after attending a [[Jiu-Jitsu]] class and being encouraged by instructors to attend a [[professional wrestling school]] taking place afterwards, whereupon he "fell in love with it" and began training regularly.<ref name="WWEInterview"/> Seanoa attended the United Independent Wrestling Alliance (UIWA) West Coast Dojo, where he trained under [[Cincinnati Red]], Johnny Hemp and, occasionally, John Delayo. He debuted in December 1999 in a match against "Uncle" Jess Hansen three months after beginning his training, adopting the ring name "Samoa Joe".<ref name="MilnerKamchen2005"/> In 2000, Joe began appearing with the California-based [[Ultimate Pro Wrestling]] (UPW) promotion, then a developmental affiliate of the [[World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF), after being scouted by Brett Wagner.<ref name="WWEInterview"/> While in UPW, Joe [[feud (professional wrestling)|feuded]] with [[John Cena]]<ref name="Markazi2015"/><ref name="Kreikenbohm2000"/> and held the [[UPW No Holds Barred Championship]] from March to April 2001.<ref name="UPWNoHoldsBarred"/> He was named [[Southern California]]'s Rookie of the Year for 2000.<ref name="Bryant2001"/> In February 2001, he appeared on an episode of ''[[WWF Jakked]]'', losing to [[Essa Rios]]; he was subsequently told by WWF personnel that he "didn't have a future in [the WWF]".<ref name="WWEInterview"/><ref name="Markazi2015"/><ref name="Kreikenbohm2001"/> In March 2001, Joe defeated [[Christopher Daniels]] to win the [[UPW Heavyweight Championship]]; he held the title for a record 258 days before losing to Mikey Henderson in November 2001.<ref name="Kreikenbohm2001"/><ref name="UPWtitle"/> In October 2001, Joe competed in [[All Pro Wrestling]]'s "King of Indies" tournament that was won by [[Bryan Danielson|American Dragon]].<ref name="Bryant2001"/><ref name="KreikenbohmKing"/><ref name="Wonsover2018"/>