Less than a month after winning the title for the third time at NXT TakeOver 36, Samoa Joe has been forced to vacate the NXT Championship due to injury.The former main roster star announced in a video on social media on Sunday evening that WWE doctors have asked him to take a brief, albeit indefinite, break from in-ring competition. This comes at an incredibly unfortunate time for Samoa Joe. The former United States Champion only returned to the ring last month after roughly 18 months away from active competition.Thankfully, Joe seemed to suggest that he's going to be returning to the ring before too long in his video statement, but we wish him nothing but the best at this time with his recovery.

WWE then confirmed the news with a statement on its official website shortly afterwards, noting that the NXT Champion had unfortunately been vacated.

The company posted the following statement onto its official website, writing:

NXT Champion Samoa Joe revealed Sunday night on Twitter that he has sustained an injury, and is not able to compete at this time. As a result, he is relinquishing the NXT Championship Stick with WWE Digital for more on this story as it develops, and be sure to tune into NXT, live this Tuesday at 8/7 C for more on the future of the NXT Championship

On what was already set to be a big show, with NXT getting a new look and feel this week following a "rebrand", this week's show will also likely see the future of the NXT Championship addressed, making it even more must-see.

You can watch this week's episode of WWE NXT TV, and every other show for that matter, live here in the UK on BT Sport.