The end of MVP’s career in the ring is in sight for the former WWE U.S. Champion, but he’s going to give his all while he can.
On Instagram, MVP shared that the “clock is taking on my in-ring career” and aded that “I don’t have much time left.” Ending on a positive not, MVP vowed to “give you everything I’ve got until I finally reach the final match.”
MVP made his AEW in-ring debut during this week’s Dynamite: Maximum Carnage, where he, Shelton Benjamin, and Bobby Lashley defeated Mark Briscoe and Private Party. This wasn’t just MVP’s first match for AEW, but his first wrestling match on a major televised promotion since competing on WWE Raw in July 2022.
There’s no word on when MVP will wrestle again for AEW, if at all, but the veteran has certainly proven himself as a manager in recent years. Recently, the Hurt Syndicate expressed their desire to hold the AEW World Tag Team Titles, currently held by Private Party. Lashley has also expressed a desire to become AEW World Champion, and after MVP led him to the WWE title in 2021, such a win remains a genuine possibility.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on MVP, as the AEW star is giving his all in the ring before he hangs up his boots for good.
Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XII took place at the White Eagle Hall in Jersey City last weekend, and proved to be another epic show of violence and wrestling. The show saw ten matches take place featuring stars of WWE, AEW, TNA Wrestling and beyond.
Jon Moxley Appears
In women’s action, AEW’s Marina Shafir fought TNA Wrestling’s Jody Threat. Jon Moxley appeared in the corner of Shafir as the pair are part of the Death Riders faction in AEW. Shafir got the win and posed with Moxley after the match.
MVP had teased a match with Barnett himself shortly after his departure from WWE earlier this year. Unfortunately for the Hurt Syndicate leader, he came up short and lost via submission in the main event.
MVP made his BLOODSPORT debut in the main event against Josh Barnett… using his rad AEW Hurt Syndicate theme.
After the match, MVP and Barnett hugged in the ring and the AEW star cut a promo putting Barnett over as the spirit of Bloodsport. Barnett then issued a challenge for GCW Bloodsport in the Hammerstein Ballroom.
TNA Wrestling Represented
Josh Alexander showed his toughness by defeating ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey, who is reportedly set to join AEW soon. TNA Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich put her title on the line against Lei Ying Lee (formerly Xia Li in WWE) and was able to retain the gold.
WWE continued to show its willingness to work with others by allowing several NXT Superstars to compete at Bloodsport XII. Myles Borne made his Bloodsport debut at the event but came up short against Bloodsport veteran Royce Isaaacs.
Charlie Dempsey fared better than his No Quarter Catch Crew ally as the NXT Heritage Cup Champion defeated Matt Makowski. The win extends Dempsey’s Bloodsport record to 2-1.
Charlie Dempsey and Tracy Williams brought it!! Best match so far. ????
Karmen Petrovic made her Bloodsport debut to show what the women of WWE NXT are capable of. Petrovic, who has been shining on the silver brand defeated Sumie Sakai via TKO thanks toa strong kick to the head of her legendary opponent.
In WWE’s Pandemic Era, the Hurt Business was a highlight of programming, but MVP had to fight to stop it from turning into a revamped Nation of Domination. On X, MVP said that WWE not only intended to turn the group into ‘NOD 2.0’ but planned to bring in Nation alum Mark Henry and Ron ‘Farooq’ Simmons.
MVP’s post spawned several responses. When one fan asked why Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque was reportedly against bringing the group back, MVP admitted he hadn’t spoken with WWE’s CCO.
Though the Hurt Business only featured African-American talent, the topic of race never played a factor in their role on-screen. The Nation of Domination often made reference to race, including in 1997 when Farooq claimed Vince McMahon did not want a black man to be a World Champion.
The next year, D-Generation X would parody the Nation in a segment that saw several members of DX use blackface to mock the Nation. While the segment has often been presented by WWE as a highlight of Raw’s Attitude Era, the segment has stopped being shared in recent years as tastes have changed. In 2021, WWE scrubbed the segment from its media library as part of its move to Peacock.
Now, MVP has revitalized the Hurt Business as the Hurt Syndicate alongside Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin. Once again, the topic of race has not come up in AEW and fans are eagerly awaiting Lashley’s in-ring debut with Swerve Strickland at Full Gear this weekend. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on MVP and his efforts to define the Hurt Syndicate in All Elite Wrestling.
MVP says he knew it was time to leave WWE when “new management” took over following Vince McMahon’s departure in January 2024.
The leader of AEW’s Hurt Syndicate faction chose not to renew his WWE contract earlier this year. MVP noticed a significant shift in leadership under Triple H and quickly realized the company’s new direction did not align with his own vision. A major point of contention was Triple H’s reported lack of interest in reviving The Hurt Business.
“This time, I didn’t want to re-sign and I let it be known that I wasn’t going to re-sign because the new management in place.
anytime, I don’t care where you work, when new management comes in, it’s good for some people and not for other people. New people come in, old people go. So I just felt that it was definitely time to go because the new management just wasn’t for me and I ain’t for him.”
MVP on his decision to leave WWE (Drop The Heat)
The Hurt Business currently has their sights set on former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland. Lashley is scheduled to make his AEW in-ring debut against Swerve later this month at Full Gear.
In the main event of the October 30, edition of Dynamite, Swerve Strickland took on Shelton Benjamin, another name brought in by MVP. In the climax of the match, Swerve nailed a Liger Bomb and a Swerve Stomp to get the win, his first in over two months.
After the match was over, MVP got his phone out and he made a call. Then the lights went out and Bobby Lashley made his way to the ring. Fans chanted “holy s**t” as Lashley arrived and with MVP holding back Prince Nana, Lashley and Benjamin double-teamed Swerve Strickland.
MVP grabbed the microphone after everything was over, and yelled, “Guess who’s back in business?!” Lashley’s arrival is a huge coup for AEW as Tony Khan now has one of WWE’s biggest stars in recent years.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Bobby Lashley now that the All Mighty former World Champion is now All Elite.
The former WWE Champion Bobby Lashley has shared his thoughts on MVP and Shelton Benjamin joining All Elite Wrestling. The free agent appeared on the Lame Guys Podcast and touted what they bring to AEW.
Wrestling fans complaining about AEW signing ‘ex-WWE guys’ are missing the big picture. MVP and Shelton Benjamin bring a ton of life experience, still have gas left in the tank, and have the ability to elevate others.
“The fans need to understand… You need established guys to help elevate others.”
Bryan Danielson, Adam Copeland, Samoa Joe and Christian are among the former World Champions who have done just that.
Lashley does not plan on accumulating ring rust following his WWE exit. The Dominator has teased that fans can expect something big from him over the next few weeks. As for wether or not he’ll follow MVP and Shelton Benjamin to AEW, he’s keeping his options open.
MVP has made his presence felt in AEW in recent weeks. An impressive in-ring debut for Shelton Benjamin only further reinforced their collective potential as individual talents and, all the more so, as a unit.
All too often, though, fans have seen acts start out hot in AEW, only to get lost in the shuffle. While the easy critiques on MVP, Benjamin, and other talents who may or may not joint them—particularly Bobby Lashley—is that they’re WWE alumni and that they’re relatively old, there’s still plenty of potential for them to change the game in AEW.
The Hurt Is Back In Business
The Hurt Business will be in action at Crown Jewel
WWE’s Hurt Business was a landmark faction. They were one of the coolest parts of WWE programming in the pandemic era and the group succeeded in finally getting Bobby Lashley all the way over as a WWE Champion after stop-start pushes and never quite reaching the mountain top throughout either of his WWE tenures prior to that point.
The Hurt Business experiment fizzled, though, with Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander fading further and further into the background and MVP on the outs. Lashley enjoyed some successes, including fans seeing a lot of potential in him teaming up with The Street Profits, but it never went anywhere and The All Mighty’s final months in WWE were conspicuously quiet.
Now, MVP and Benjamin have shown up in AEW, launching The Hurt Syndicate. WWE has done a nice job of slow-playing this act, including creating initial intrigue between MVP and Swerve Strickland, before rolling out Benjamin and immediately establishing him as far more of an in-ring threat than he got to play for most of his WWE career.
AEW Can Push Black Talent To The Moon
While WWE has been on fire under Triple H’s creative leadership, one critique that’s only gaining momentum is that The Game hasn’t done enough to push black talent. Fans have noticed an absence of black men in particular from PLE cards. Moreover, Helmsley’s attempt at quieting the haters in the Bad Blood post-show press conference came across as uncharacteristically tone deaf and outdated as he claimed not to see color.
It doesn’t seem fair to actually think of The Cerebral Assassin as actively racist, but he has nonetheless left an opening for AEW to distinguish itself by more overtly pushing black stars. Swerve Strickland’s celebrated run as AEW Champion laid some strong groundwork. MVP and The Hurt Syndicate have the tools to take things to the next level.
A Swerve Strickland Vs. Bobby Lashley Feud
Swerve Strickland and Shelton Benjamin look as though they’re on a collision course right now in AEW, but between Benjamin’s age and the damage his credibility took in WWE, this wouldn’t feel like a satisfying end game for the story AEW has been rolling out. Rather, things really feel as though they ought to be building toward Strickland vs. Bobby Lashley.
Lashley is an awesome physical specimen and with WWE world title credentials under his belt (not to mention a history as the world champ in TNA), he’s a suitably credible opponent for Strickland. Moreover, The All Mighty represents a worthy mountain to climb. Though Strickland should ultimately have his sights set on reclaiming the AEW Championship, winning a feud over Lashley and The Hurt Syndicate could do a great deal to further solidify Strickland as a bona fide main event fixture.
The Hurt Syndicate Vs. The Blackpool Combat Club
The Blackpool Combat Club has been one of the most compelling parts of AEW programming for much of the last two and a half years. The recent tonal shift, with Jon Moxley turning heel and recapturing the AEW Championship, intrigue around their mission to fundamentally change AEW, and the additions of PAC and Marina Shafir have brought the group right back to the spotlight as one of the most buzzworthy acts in the promotion, if not all of wrestling.
Feuding with The Blackpool Combat Club would be a great place for The Hurt Syndicate to land, offering a formidable, fresh challenge and series of matchups, up to and including the possibility of an AEW Championship reign for Bobby Lashley. At minimum, one of the most important parts of a modern faction’s success is having other credible factions to feud with, and this is where these two groups could help one another significantly.
In the end, only time will tell what AEW has planned for MVP and his Hurt Syndicate. Early signs have been promising, though, and there’s a real chance for the creative to follow to end the mainstream careers of MVP, Shelton Benjamin, and Bobby Lashley on a high note, while also bettering AEW and the careers of several of its other stars.
Lio Rush debuted for All Elite Wrestling in 2021, and would remain an active part of the company’s roster until his exit in February the next year. Now the ‘Man of the Hour’ is back under contract, and his return may lead to the debut of a man Rush knows very well.
In a segment filmed at AEW WrestleDream, Rush confirmed to Alicia Atout that he is once again under an AEW contract. The former NXT Cruiserweight Champion was then confronted by MVP and Shelton Benjamin. As tensions mounted between the two sides, MVP asked if Rush is free on Wednesday, teasing something for Rush for this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite.
Rush may not have much of a history with MVP or Benjamin, but he does have history with a man that both are familiar with: Bobby Lashley. Rush managed Lashley in WWE before MVP took on the All Mighty in 2020 as part of The Hurt Business. It’s been reported that Lashley is set to join MVP and Benjamin soon in AEW, with some speculating ahead of WrestleDream that his debut would come at the pay-per-view.
Time will tell if the All Mighty’s AEW debut will come this Wednesday, but for now, Lio Rush is preparing for something with the Hurt Syndicate on Dynamite. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from Lio Rush and all the signing news out of All Elite Wrestling.
The situation between Chris Jericho and MVP has already been hashed out since the latter joined All Elite Wrestling a couple weeks ago.
The most recent AEW signee has had a rocky relationship with Y2J in the last few years. There have been reports of the two having a physical altercation at a past edition of Jericho Cruise. An argument between the two at an AEW hotel had also been reported.
That’s why a lot of people wondered how things will play out when MVP made his debut for Tony Khan’s promotion during the Grand Slam special of Dynamite.
Fightful Select is reporting that the tensions have already been relieved after an initiative from the Hurt Syndicate Manager. According to them, MVP went directly to Jericho’s locker room on his very first day on the job.
While specific details of how the meeting went down are not provided, the belief in AEW is that things have been hashed out and there won’t be an issue between the two moving forward.
The two AEW stars have been seen interacting with each other backstage since then and MVP has been praised by people backstage for taking the initiative and addressing the issues up front.
While the backstage issues have been resolved, MVP’s debut is a matter of concern for the roster on screen. The former WWE star has teased the arrival of The Hurt Syndicate since his first appearance for the company.
With Shelton Benjamin having already joined the promotion, it’s only a matter of time before we see Bobby Lashley reuniting with the two. The arrival of this formidable trio that dominated Raw during the pandemic era is certainly a matter of concern for anyone finding themselves in a prominent position on AEW programming.
Last night’s AEW Dynamite celebrated its 5-year anniversary and it featured a segment where Renee Paquette interviewed MVP backstage ahead of his announcement. Prince Nana interrupted him and MVP said that he was not the one who handled complaints. He then introduced Shelton Benjamin as his business partner and ‘President of the Complaint Department.’
Following the show, MVP dropped a video clip on social media in which he and Benjamin could be seen leaving the arena together. He said that business had just picked up. The former Hurt Business teammates bumped fists as MVP laughed while walking away.
This marked Shelton Benjamin’s first appearance in the promotion. He was let go from WWE back in September 2023. After being a free agent for over a year, he has finally signed with AEW. There is a huge possibility that Bobby Lashley could be next to show up. This will complete their reunion but under the new stable name, ‘The Hurt Syndicate’, judging by a trademark filing last month.
The former WWE star had been expected to make his debut for Tony Khan’s promotion ever since MVP made his first appearance for the company last week.
This week’s 5-year anniversary special of Dynamite then saw Renee Paquette interviewing MVP backstage where he was getting ready to make an announcement.
Before he could do so, however, Prince Nana interrupted and reminded everyone that he once was a wrestler. In response, MVP said that he was not the one who handled complaints like that and then the camera panned out to the one who does deal with complaints – Shelton Benjamin.
Benjamin got a huge pop from the crowd as MVP introduced him as his business partner and ‘President of the Complaint Department.’
Shelton was released from his WWE contract back in September 2023. While a lot of people expected him to go to AEW straight away, it took over a year for the wrestling veteran to arrive.
Now that he has arrived, however, the 49-year-old is expected to make a big impact along with his Hurt Business partner.
The group is still one member short as Bobby Lashley is yet to be introduced on AEW TV. Though after the arrival of MVP and Benjamin, it seems only a matter of time before the former WWE Champion makes his way to the company as well.
MVP says the newest chapter of his wrestling career is quite possibly the final chapter of his illustrious run in the sports entertainment world.
The former WWE star made his highly anticipated AEW debut during the Dynamite: Grand Slam special this Wednesday. He interrupted a segment with Prince Nana and looked to make acquaintence with the former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland.
The newest AEW signee commented on his arrival in a new video on Instagram. He claimed that he is the same MVP, just conducting business in a new place:
“Cat’s out of the bag. By now I’m sure many of you know – and if you don’t, you’re about to find out – that I’ve embarked on an exciting new chapter for my professional wrestling career.
And I’m excited because this new chapter is quite possibly the final chapter. And I’ve got some really cool things in store. So if you’ve been a fan of mine for this long, come hang out for just a little bit longer. Same MVP, just conducting business in a new location. MVP is AEW. See you next week.”
Managing the Hurt Business was the highlight of MVP’s second WWE run from 2020 to 2024. The group consisting of Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and Cedric Alexander ruled the Raw brand during the pandemic era.
While the group disbanded in early 2022, the fans believed that there was a lot more the company could have done with them. WWE even teased a reunion for the faction in early 2023 but the idea was quickly dropped.
Three of the four members of the Hurt Business have since left WWE with MVP himself departing in August this year after his contract expired. Cedric Alexander is the only star who is still with the company, having signed a new contract recently.
MVP has been talking about the reunion of the faction in recent months. Fans who paid close attention to his AEW debut will know that it also teased the arrival of the group on Tony Khan’s promotion.
MVP could be AEW’s literal MVP soon enough if his new business card indicates anything.
The former proprietor of The Hurt Business made his All Elite Wrestling debut at AEW Grand Slam to confront Prince Nana about the injured Swerve Strickland. Nana, a hometown New Yorker, received a warm recepetion from Arthur Ashe Stadium, but he wasn’t warmly received by MVP.
MVP praised the AEW World Title reign of Swerve and the legacy he’s already carved in the company, but went on to question the focus and intention of Nana. MVP thinks Nana was just their to dance and sell coffee, but MVP has bigger plans for Swerve. Nana then is handed MVP’s business card who wants Swerve to get a hold of him for his services.
Could Swerve Strickland be MVP’s latest client and could he be joining the ranks of some very familiar faces? Reports have been that MVP had plans to join AEW and now that we’ve seen him in the mix, it certainly opens up possibilites of Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin joining alongside MVP in AEW. Both talents are notoriously free agents as Lashley uncerimoniously left WWE and Benjamin was released from the company back in September of 2023.
Lashley has expressed after the fact that he has no plans to hang up the boots and it would only make sense from a storyline standpoint that he reunites with MVP.
AEW Grand Slam: Dynamite saw some of the very top names of the All-Elite promotion in action, including Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, The Young Bucks, and Mariah May. The show also saw a huge debut unfold in New York City as MVP has arrived in AEW.
An interview segment began with Tony Schiavone asking Prince Nana for an update on Swerve Strickland’s medical status following the brutality of All Out 2024. Nana confirmed that Strickland is not currently cleared to compete but is working toward his return.
It was then that MVP interrupted things, making his AEW debut after parting ways with WWE earlier this year. MVP criticized Nana’s management of Strickland, accusing him of focusing more on dancing and selling coffee than on advancing Strickland’s career. MVP handed Nana a business card, instructing him to pass it on to Strickland whenever the former AEW World Champion wants to “get serious” and “talk business.”
Just when we started to hear about Swerve Strickland, we got a surprise appearance and OFFER from MVP!
MVP has arrived in AEW, but the question is whether he’ll bring in some more WWE alum. MVP reportedly intends to reunite with Bobby Lashley and there had been talk of both men coming to AEW before MVP’s debut this week. Lashley and MVP reportedly intend to revive the Hurt Business alongside Shelton Benjamin, who was released from WWE last September.
With the Hurt Business name under the ownership of WWE, MVP has filed a trademark for ‘The Hurt Syndicate’ and recently told a fan that the Hurt Business is “dead” but he is still in business. Now, MVP’s business has brought him to AEW. Stay tuned to see what’s to come for MVP and whether he will be able to coax Swerve Strickland into taking on his managerial services.
Former Hurt Business member MVP has confirmed that the faction that also comprised of Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and Cedric Alexander, is no more.
The former Hurt Business faction has had a remarkable run in WWE and the members won several championships. However, it appears that they won’t be going by that name anymore. MVP recently made it clear in the comment section of one of his Instagram posts that The Hurt Business is ‘Dead.’
He replied to one of the fans claiming that Hurt Business is still in business. The former WWE United States Champion said while the name is ‘dead,’ the business continues to live on. MVP let him know, “The Hurt Business is dead. BUT, our BUSINESS lives on.”
The Hurt Syndicate
Bobby Lashley, MVP and Shelton Benjamin could be back together. However, that could be outside WWE. It is being speculated that they will now go by ‘The Hurt Syndicate’, judging by a trademark filing last month.
A trademark filing was made for the term The Hurt Syndicate for use in pro wrestling and entertainment services. Totally Harmless Concept LLC filed to trademark “The Hurt Syndicate” a few weeks ago. it comes following the filing for trademarks on other MVP-related phrases and names.
At WWE Armageddon 2006, MVP, one of the hottest rising stars on SmackDown, got too hot for his own good when he met Kane in an Inferno match. The fourth and final Inferno match (to date) saw Kane finally win in the fiery stipulation as he set MVP’s back aflame to open the SmackDown pay-per-view.
18 years on, MVP still has vivid memories of being burned by the Devil’s Favorite Demon. Speaking during a virtual signing for K & S WrestleFest, MVP revealed how WWE was able to pull off the dangerous stunt.
“I had a flannel suit that was dumped in this like freezing cold gel, and on top of that I had a dry one, and then the seamstress had to sew the top and bottom together.”
Ironically, the unique outfit left MVP so cold that his prostrate retracted, the former WWE U.S. Champion joked during the signing. MVP added that the match was “terrifying” to be a part of and not just because of the fire. After selling one move, MVP inhaled the gas that was being used for the flames and couldn’t breathe for a few seconds, which left the young Superstar even more scared.
What’s To Come?
MVP has wisely kept away from competing in fiery matches ever since and recently made clear that he’s not finished in the ring just yet. After parting ways with WWE earlier this year, MVP’s return to the ring will come this November when he takes on Josh Barnett at Bloodsport XII. The 50-year-old confronted MVP at Bloodsport XI earlier this year, setting up a fight between the two.
Posted September 15th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: Kane, MVP.
MVP’s tenure with WWE came to an end earlier this year and the Hurt Business alum has made clear he doesn’t plan on going back. While the former United States Champion is no longer a part of WWE’s roster, he is not ready to retire just yet.
On Instagram, MVP shared a video of his first bump in “a long time” with Shelton Benjamin giving feedback from behind the camera. In the caption, MVP admitted that his days in the ring are numbered but he’s not finished wrestling.
The Ronin of professional wrestling has returned! I literally hit the ring yesterday!!! 1st bump in a while. A few more weeks of training and a bit of @justformen and I’ll be ready!!! My official in ring retirement is near. But, it’s not here yet!!!!
MVP returned to WWE in 2020, originally as a producer, but transitioned into an on-screen managerial role shortly after. Though he remained at ringside for the vast majority of his four-year run with the company, MVP competed 44 times and rocked up a 16-28 win/loss record. Earlier this year, MVP underwent Stem Cell Therapy which he hopes will extend his in-ring career.
What’s To Come?
MVP’s first post-WWE match will come this November when he takes on Josh Barnett at Bloodsport XII at the White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, New Jersey. The 50-year-old confronted MVP at Bloodsport XI earlier this year, setting up a fight between the two.
In June of this year, MVP responded to a handful of social media posts about Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque and his decision not to reunite the Hurt Business when he had the chance. Some fans believed MVP was implying that WWE’s Chief Content Officer was racist, but now MVP has made his views crystal clear on the matter.
Speaking to K&S WrestleFest, MVP addressed his previous comments regarding Triple H and his decision not to bring back the popular group of black Superstars. While some may have believed MVP was implying Triple H is a racist, that was a term MVP never used.
“I never said that word [Racist.] I never said that. You show me the quote or the caption where I said that. Somebody made a comment on my social media about how he books black talent. I just said, ‘Ah, you see it.’ I never said he is racist.”
MVP added that his opinion on how Levesque books black wrestlers is a “different conversation” but reiterated that he never called WWE’s CCO a racist. The former WWE U.S. Champion then acknowledged a different legend of WWE who he does believe to be a racist.
“Hulk Hogan is racist. He said it himself, ‘I’m a little bit racist.’ He said that. As far as Triple H, I don’t know that he is.”
Bobby Lashley & MVP could soon be reunited as The Hurt Syndicate, judging by a trademark filing made earlier this week. On August 16, Bobby Lashley and MVP were both moved to the alumni section of WWE’s official website, signaling their departure from the company.
Just two days earlier, on August 14, a trademark filing was made for the term The Hurt Syndicate for use in professional wrestling and entertainment services. The filing was submitted by a company named “Totally Harmless Concept, LLC.”
This isn’t the first time this company has been linked to MVP. In 2013, “Totally Harmless Concept, LLC” also filed to trademark “MVP” when the former United States Champion began his stint with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Additionally, the company filed to trademark “Ghetto Strong Style” in 2013, a song that MVP used as his entrance theme during his time in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
On social media, MVP didn’t directly address reports of The Hurt Syndicate but did share a gif of Lashley, suggesting that the two will be working again soon.
What’s to Come?
With MVP sharing that he won’t be going back to WWE at a Bloodsport event, anticipation continues to grow as to what he and Bobby Lashley have planned next. It’s been reported that Lashley and MVP are hoping to reunite in AEW in a move that could possibly see Shelton Benjamin brought into the All-Elite promotion.
Those close to Lashley believe he will make at least an appearance in AEW and stated that he’s ready to return to TV. Lashley reportedly has interest from the fighting world, as well as from promotions in Japan. The All Mighty boasts an impressive 15-2 record in the world of MMA with six KOs victories to his name.
Lashley has been one of WWE’s top Superstars for years but now those in the company are reportedly expecting him to leave this weekend. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on the future of the All Mighty.
Bobby Lashley’s time as a WWE Superstar will be over as soon as this week unless a new deal with the company is reached, it has been reported. Fightful Select states that Lashley’s contract will expire this weekend, and those in WWE are under the impression he is leaving the company. No creative plans have been made for the two-time former WWE World Champion who hasn’t competed on WWE TV since April of this year. Lashley and MVP were removed from WWE’s internal roster earlier this year, which fuelled speculation that they were finishing with the company.
Bobby Lashley’s Future Outside WWE
With Lashley seemingly finished with WWE, all attention turns to what’s next for the All Mighty Superstar. Fightful notes that Lashley’s name has been discussed within AEW ever since news of his contract status emerged. Given that Lashley is still under a WWE contract, no offer has been made to the Superstar.
It’s been reported that Lashley and MVP are hoping to reunite in AEW in a move that could possibly see Shelton Benjamin brought into the All-Elite promotion. MVP’s contract with WWE is said to have already expired and he told those at Bloodsport XI that he wouldn’t be going back. Those close to Lashley believe he will make at least an appearance in AEW and stated that he’s ready to return to TV.
Lashley reportedly has interest from the fighting world, as well as from promotions in Japan. After his first WWE run ended in 2008, Lashley transitioned to MMA and joined Strikeforce in 2010. The All Mighty currently boasts an impressive 15-2 record in MMA, with six knockouts and six submission victories to his name.
Lashley has been one of WWE’s top Superstars for years but now those in the company are reportedly expecting him to leave this weekend. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on the future of the All Mighty.
MVP surprised fans with his appearance at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XI where he spoke about his plans for WWE and outside the company. At the show, MVP, a former U.S. Champion made a surprise appearance following Barnett’s fight with Bad Dude Tito.
MVP spoke of his friendship with Barnett and how his start in submission wrestling training began with Josh eleven years ago. MVP then confirmed that the contract “with the company who I won’t mention” [WWE] is about to expire and shared that “I’m not going back.”
Though his WWE career is ending, MVP isn’t ready to retire and challenged Barnett to a fight at a future Bloodsport event. Barnett was in favor of the idea and shared that Bloodsport is “the land where the Hurt Business cashes the most checks.”
MVP wasn’t the only WWE name at Bloodsport XI. Both Creed Brothers were victorious in their Bloodsport debuts with Brutus and Julius defeating Tom Lawlor and Matt Makowski respectively. Charlie Dempsey came up short against Royce Isaacs while Shayna Baszelr defeated Miyu Yamashita in the show’s main event.
Now, fans can expect MVP at a future event against Barnett, and his comment about the Hurt Business shouldn’t be ignored. In addition to MVP, it’s been reported that Bobby Lashley’s WWE deal is set to expire soon. WWE is reportedly under the belief that both men are gone with speculation regarding a potential move to AEW.
MVP has appreciated the “ride” he’s been on since returning to WWE, even though many believe it could come to an end very soon. On Instagram, MVP shared a photo of the night he returned to WWE as part of the 2020 Men’s Royal Rumble match.
In the caption, the Hurt Business alum spoke of being brought back as a producer, which didn’t work out as the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of live events left WWE not needing him in the role. MVP also addressed his time as a commentator, an in-ring talent, and working with ‘Roberto’ Bobby Lashley in WWE.
MVP’s WWE Status
MVP’s reflections on his time in WWE since his 2020 return come amid reports that he and Bobby Lashley could soon be out of the company. It’s been reported that both men (alongside Tamina Snuka) have been removed from the promotion’s internal roster, signifying that there are no plans for them on TV. Lashley hasn’t competed on WWE TV since April of this year and MVP, the manager of Omos, has similarly vanished from shows.
Following reports that he had been removed from WWE’s internal roster, MVP shared a salute emoji online. Another report has claimed that MVP and Lashley are both considered to be ‘gone’ by those in WWE as both men’s contracts are said to expire soon. While an offer was reportedly made to Lashley, it’s said that this deal was one the All Mighty would be in no hurry to sign.
MVP has certainly done plenty since returning to WWE though a title reign has continued to allude the manager/commentator/Superstar/producer. Keep tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on this ongoing situation.
MVP has suggested that his days in the ring are not over yet, amid rumors that his time with WWE will soon be coming to an end. On Instagram, the former United States Champion shared a photo of his wrestling boots with the caption “Dusted these off.” When a fan said that MVP’s boots “don’t look hung up to me” MVP responded by saying “They are NOT!!!”
MVP hasn’t competed in over two years, with his most recent match seeing himself and Omos lose via DQ to the Street Profits on the July 18, edition of Monday Night RAW. Since returning to WWE in January 2020, MVP has had 44 matches for the company, and boasts a win/loss/draw record of 16-27-1.
The wrestling world is buzzing at the news that Bobby Lashley and MVP may be on their way out of WWE. Over the weekend, word broke on social media that the former WWE and TNA World Champion’s contract is expiring soon. It’s also become known that Lashley’s former Hurt Business mentor MVP’s deal is also up this summer.
Lashley has been featured as a main eventer during his most recent run, but Mike Johnson at PWInsider reveals insider information about WWE and Lashley’s contractual negotiations.
Although Lashley was interested to remain with WWE, and still might, the financial offer ‘didn’t exactly make Bobby eager to sign.’
Bobby Lashley, MVP, WWE & The Hurt Business
The Hurt Business in WWE (Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander and MVP)
The belief within WWE is that Lashley and MVP will leave when their deals expire. Considering that Shelton Benjamin is also a free agent, the speculation is that the duo may try to reform The Hurt Business outside of WWE. They wouldn’t be able to use the Hurt Business name, since WWE owns that trademark, but
Lashley’s last big match with WWE was at WrestleMania XL in the Philadelphia Street Fight involving The Pride and The Final Testament. MVP last appeared on the SmackDown before WrestleMania, managing Omos for The Andre The Giant Battle Royal.
We’ll be following this story closely and will provide our readers with updates as soon as they become available. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Bobby Lashley, MVP, and all your wrestling news.
More has come to light regarding the fate of Bobby Lashley and MVP after the two Hurt Business alum were pulled from WWE’s internal roster. Lashley hasn’t competed for WWE since a May 2024 live event, while MVP, the manager of Omos, has similarly vanished from TV. Tamina Snuka’s name was also removed from the internal roster, and her most recent match came in February 2023.
Latest On Bobby Lashley & MVP
There is talk of Lashley and MVP heading to AEW, Dave Meltzer reported on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio. It was added that AEW and MVP/Lashley cannot enter direct talks at this time as both men are still under contract with WWE. The contracts of both men will expire “relatively soon” and WWE is under the assumption that a new deal won’t be reached.
“Their contracts are going to expire…as things stand right now, WWE is under the assumption that they are gone.”
The Hurt Business
WWE believes there will be an attempt to revive the Hurt Business should Lashley and MVP leave. Lashley and MVP want to revamp the group alongside Shelton Benjamin, who was released from WWE in September 2023. The group’s fourth member, Cedric Alexander, has been teaming with Ashante Thee Adonis as of late.
It would ultimately be Tony Khan’s call as to whether the Hurt Business reunites in AEW but the idea is “under consideration.” Meltzer made clear that things are not a “done deal” yet, but are currently “alive.” MVP has tried to register the Hurt Business name, but the USPTO states that the term is a WWE-owned trademark.
Bringing Lashley and MVP (as well as possibly Shelton) would be a huge coup for Tony Khan, one that WWE is currently under the assumption could very much happen. Keep tuned in to SE Scoops for the latest on this developing situation.
