Brian Damage
During the Covid era, Bobby Lashley was pushed as a top star within WWE. When he was paired with MVP, Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander and formed the faction known as ‘The Hurt Business’ the group was pushed to the top. Sadly and inexplicably, Vince McMahon split the Hurt Business up at the top of their game. The groups manager/mouthpiece MVP tried to keep the group together behind the scenes, but to no avail. Eventually, McMahon “retired” and Triple H was put in charge. According to MVP, the two egos clashed with each other and the hopes of a full Hurt Business reunion never came to be.
MVP would later sign with AEW and he convinced both Shelton Benjamin and Lashley to join him. The group minus Cedric Alexander reunited in AEW as ‘The Hurt Syndicate.’ I have to admit; I expected big things from the faction in their brand new surroundings. At first, that’s exactly what happened. Lashley and Benjamin won the AEW world tag team titles and looked poised to do big things within the company.
That never really materialized. The Hurt Syndicate have been barely used and when they have been showcased on television, it certainly hasn’t been in the main event or something similar. So, what exactly happened to this once formidable faction? Well, reports have surfaced that the Hurt Syndicate have refused to put over a bevy of talents. Because of this, Tony Khan has used them very sparingly.
It seems to be a very sad situation especially for Bobby Lashley who could easily slot into the main event picture. Unfortunately, that doesn’t appear to be happening anytime soon or ever for that matter. As the old saying goes…”sometimes the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.” Sure, they are probably making great money, but at what cost? Let’s be honest, both Lashley and Benjamin aren’t getting any younger. They are both in their 50’s now. Could they go back to WWE? Maybe, but it definitely wouldn’t be with MVP who has continually burned bridges with WWE by badmouthing Triple H.
Would Lashley and Benjamin jump ship and return to WWE without their buddy MVP by t6heir side. Could they return to WWE despite all the negative comments made? How about TNA or is that a small pond for a big fish like Lashley at this point? Whatever the case is, The Hurt Syndicate are pretty much done in AEW whether they realize it or not.
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The Rock in a new movie role.
Nattie
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A Chunky Soup commercial featuring WWF stars Roddy Piper, Paul Orndorff and Jesse Ventura from 1986!
Luke
This is what happens when men try to play with children. I’ll bet my dick it wasn’t about “doing jobs” but about not wanting to do stupid and nonsensical crap. Can you really see them doing a “Young Bucks match”? (I feel so stupid just typing those words…)
MVP has an amazing mind for the business. If Tony Khan had an ounce of brain, he’d put him in creative and then AEW could actually grow. Thing is, he wouldn’t book for the children. He’d never let a referee count a pinfall on a pair of fucking pants…
Kyle Prescott
No AEW or Tony Khan fan here but I’ll take his side over MVP. He’s writing the checks, so you are the employee and you do the job. As you stated they are all near or in their 50’s and are at the point in the careers where building up younger talent is the JOB. Keeping paid well for it is the bonus. They made the choice to make the move so you live with the consequences. I seriously doubt Tony is asking them to wearing polka dots but they could learn something from Dusty.
As for MVP, it’s another lesson in keeping your mouth shut when it could hurt your wallet.
PY GOD
Indeed, MVP should enjoy the ride $$$ and shut the fuck up! But, right now, it’s probably too late. MVP burned all bridges.
Luke
Sure, but I wasn’t talking about who’s right or wrong, I was talking from the perspective of fans of actual wrestling (as in the kind that makes sense). Since there is none, wrestlers like them and fans like me are basically screwed.
Thing is, while I consider Tony Khan horrible for the wrestling business as a whole, I’d love to work for him…
Iron Realms
The Hurt Business to Hurt Syndicate arc is the saddest part of this for me: they won the AEW tag titles and looked set for a real run, then just faded into sporadic, non-main-event use. I agree Lashley could still slot into a main-event picture, but at this stage in his and Benjamin’s careers the clock is the real opponent, as you say. I work on Iron Realms, a free browser strategy MMO in alpha, and debates like this are why we built a Workrate GOAT Top 100 to argue over all-time greats