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.

Another commenter suggested that the Hurt Business’ inspiration did not come from race, but seemed to be akin to Def Jam: Fight for New York.

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.

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.

MVP previously announced that he will not return to WWE during a Bloodsport event. MVP and Bobby Lashley have kept the fans wondering what they have in store. There have been reports that Lashley and MVP hope to reunite in AEW. Former Hurt Business member Shelton Benjamin, who is a free agent could also join them. However, Cedric Alexander is unlikely to join them after recently re-signing with WWE. It has been reported that he has inked a new multi-year deal with the company.

A recent interview with Bobby Lashley shed light on his future plans and his mentality during free agency.

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.

The Hurt Business proved immensely popular with fans during their tenure and many, including the group’s members, felt splitting in early 2021 was the wrong call. The group did have a brief reunion and there were plans for a more substantial comeback though they didn’t go anywhere.

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.

Former WWE star Shelton Benjamin has confirmed that WWE scrapped plans for a Hurt Business reunion last year.

The Bobby Lashley-led faction was one of the highlights of the WWE programming during the pandemic era. With Lashley being presented as a dominant heel, the storyline quickly became a fan favorite. The decision to disband the group in early 2022 left fans puzzled and many people to this day believe that the whole thing had a lot of untapped potential.

During a recent interview with Metro, Benjamin said that he considers the faction to be one of his ‘defining contributions’ to the business and claimed that it was cut too short. He then revealed that there was talk of reviving the group last year but it never came to fruition:

“There was definitely conversation and planning for the Hurt Business to make a return. And then things just changed. They set dates, the dates changed and things changed. And then suddenly it was like, ‘Nope, we’re just not doing it.’ And that was… that was a kick in the balls. [laughs]”

• Shelton Benjamin Disgusted By Involvement Of Racist Angle In WWE

One Of The Biggest Mishaps: Shelton Benjamin

Shelton Benjamin admitted that the decision was not in their hands and whatever the call maybe they have to live with it and move on. Though he still mentioned how the faction had the potential to elevate all its members:

“I love being a part of helping people succeed. But in the case of the Hurt Business, I felt like there was so much more for every individual in that to really elevate themselves within the company. And I think the fact that there was no Hurt Business versus Bloodline war is one of the biggest mishaps in pro wrestling”

WWE had teased a Hurt Business reunion in early 2023 when Benjamin reunited with Cedric Alexander with MVP taking credit for it. MVP even accompanied the duo at the ringside for a match but the angle was then quietly dropped. Shelton Benjamin was later released from the company in September 2023.

MVP has been working for some time to try and reunite the Hurt Business, but the veteran Superstar could soon be introducing a new faction.

Upon his return to WWE in 2020, it wasn’t long until MVP rallied his own group of Superstars, including Bobby Lashley, Cedric Alexander, and Shelton Benjamin.

MVP would manage every member of the group to championship gold, with the Hurt Business having won the WWE Championship, United States Championship, Raw Tag Team Titles, and 24/7 Championship.

New Faction

While MVP has been able to win over Alexander and Benjamin with a Hurt Business reunion, Lashley has proven to be unresponsive, given that MVP betrayed him on the Raw after WrestleMania 38.

Taking to Instagram this week, MVP teased that he has been speaking business with some names backstage, including his current client Omos, and the Street Profits, and NXT’s Carmelo Hayes.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The 305 MVP (@the305mvp)

Called Up?

Of all the names in the photo above, perhaps the most interesting is Hayes, who is yet to be called up to WWE’s main roster.

That’s not for lack of trying, as Hayes has in the past suggested that his time with NXT is coming to an end, and he is said to be well-liked by WWE management.

Hayes was at RAW last night for a match against Akira Tozawa during the pre-Raw WWE Main Event tapings.

During this week’s WWE NXT, it was confirmed that Hayes will challenge NXT Champion Bron Breakker at the Stand and Deliver event on April 1.

MVP, who is currently out of action following a knee surgery, has responded to fan criticism over the Hurt Business reunion seen on this week’s episode of Raw.

A fan tweeted at the former US champion saying that Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander’s reunion with Bobby Lashley did not make sense.

MVP responded to this complaint of the fan with a tweet of his own. As seen below, he posted an emoji and wrote: “You didn’t grow up with brothers obviously”:

The team of Benjamin and Alexander lost a 2 on 1 handicap match against Drew McIntyre. This barred them from the ringside for Bobby Lashley’s WWE championship match against the Scottish Warrior at WrestleMania 37.

As a result of this loss, Bobby Lashley attacked the duo on the March 29 episode of Raw this year, effectively kicking them out of the Hurt Business and ending the faction.

However, MVP had recently teased a Hurt Business reunion prior to taking time off. This week’s episode of Raw then saw Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin interfering in the opening match of the night between Lashley and Big E.

It’s unknown if the reunion was a one-night thing or if we are going to see the Hurt Business competing together once again in the coming future.

WWE Champion Big E (that has a nice ring to it) is itching for a feud with The Hurt Business. Following his big win on Monday’s Raw, Cedric Alexander posted a message on Twitter about how things would have unfolded had The Hurt Business been in Lashley’s corner.

The Hurt Business was a group led by Lashley and MVP. The two added Shelton Benjamin and Alexander to the faction. Despite widespread praise for the group, Lashley turned on Shelton and Cedric just before WrestleMania 37.

During an interview with Complex, Big E said he’s hoping that The Hurt Business makes a comeback so they can mix it up with The New Day.

“I want to see them back. I want to see them together. Man, just the opportunity to go out there. The story is already there. The history is there, but I beat Bobby, and now Bobby needs to back up and [get] his two cast-off brothers back again. I got two brothers of my own. There are so many opportunities.”

Big E said the prospect of feuding with Roman Reigns & The Bloodline is also appealing. However, his real interest appears to be a feud with MVP’s crew.

“Imagine The Hurt Business coming back together to do battle with The New Day. All kinds of incarnations; singles matches, tag matches. Man, there’s so much that we can do there.

“So that’s the first order of business. I saw Cedric’s tweet, too, and I sent him the ‘mount up.’ Let him know: bring your boys, get the troop together, because that’s what I want. And I don’t think Bobby is ready to go quietly into that good night. I think he’s got some more fighting. So I want to see him with his troop, and let’s get this thing cracking again.”

MVP took to his Instagram page to hint at a reunion for The Hurt Business. He was seen traveling with Benjamin and alluded to “discussing business with an old acquaintance.” More on that below:

MVP may have something planned involving a Hurt Business reunion.

Back in May 2020, MVP aligned himself with Bobby Lashley. In July of that same year, Shelton Benjamin joined MVP and Lashley to form The Hurt Business. Eventually, Cedric Alexander joined the group.

While the faction garnered praise from fans, it came to an abrupt end on the March 29, 2021 episode of Monday Night Raw. Lashley attacked both Benjamin and Alexander, kicking them out of the group.

After Lashley lost the WWE Championship to Big E this past Monday (Sept. 13), he may be in need of some backup again. MVP recently met up with Shelton Benjamin, potentially to discuss that matter.

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A post shared by The 305 MVP (@the305mvp)

“Discussing business with an old acquaintance…”

Cedric Alexander reacted to Lashley’s title loss with the following.

“If only you had some backup.”

Before Lashley lost the WWE Title, he discussed his initial reaction when the decision was made to split Hurt Business up. Here’s what he told Metro.

“I’m comfortable with staying in my lane. In the wrestling business, I think too many people start worrying about so many other things and then they don’t focus on their career. Ultimately, we have to make sure our career is great before trying to do anybody else’s stuff.

“There’s lots of guys on the roster that I look and I’m like, man, he looks good – he’s tough, he’s that and he’s that. Once we have that opportunity, we might open up the Hurt Business and bring some people in and help fuel their career. But it’s one of those things where I have to focus on me for a little while, and I gotta make sure I’m defending the world title.”

Do you think The Hurt Business will reunite?

Bobby Lashley has spoken out on whether or not he was vocal about WWE’s decision to split The Hurt Business.

Lashley aligned himself with MVP and soon, the two linked with Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander to form The Hurt Business. While the team had success, capturing gold and gaining some steam, the group abruptly broke up when Lashley attacked Benjamin and Alexander. Lashley remains with MVP on television, while Benjamin and Alexander have mainly been reduced to WWE Main Event.

During an interview with Metro, Lashley said he chose to stay in his lane once the decision was made.

“I’m comfortable with staying in my lane. In the wrestling business, I think too many people start worrying about so many other things and then they don’t focus on their career. Ultimately, we have to make sure our career is great before trying to do anybody else’s stuff.

“There’s lots of guys on the roster that I look and I’m like, man, he looks good – he’s tough, he’s that and he’s that. Once we have that opportunity, we might open up the Hurt Business and bring some people in and help fuel their career. But it’s one of those things where I have to focus on me for a little while, and I gotta make sure I’m defending the world title.”

Bobby Lashley went on to praise Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander for their in-ring talent. He said he felt The Hurt Business gave fans an opportunity to see just how good Cedric is and gave others a refresher on the ability that Benjamin possesses.

Do you think The Hurt Business broke up too soon?

The breakup of the Hurt Business came as a surprise to many and a number of fans and wrestling personalities expressed their unhappiness over the decision.

Fightful select provided some information on this move from the company and the site reports that Vince McMahon made the decision himself “much to the chagrin of those in the group.”

Members of the group including Bobby Lashley and MVP were vocal about their unhappiness with the call. They even had a meeting with the boss before Raw to try and persuade him to change his mind about the future of The Hurt Business.

However, Mr. McMahon “was set in his choice to fracture the group” and the WWE chairman “dug his heels in even more” at the meeting with the members of The Hurt Business.

The latest Raw episode then saw what appears to be the end of the group. This decision and McMahon’s insistence to continue with the plan was said to be a blow to the morale of the affecting stars.

• Bobby Lashley On Who Came Up With The Name For The Hurt Business

Shelton Benjamin even took on his Twitter to apparently voice his displeasure with these developments and he wrote that the events of the past week have been frustrating but they come as no surprise:

For those who don’t know, this week’s episode of Raw saw the WWE champion Bobby Lashley kicking Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander out of The Hurt Business after their loss to Drew McIntyre on last week’s episode of the show.

What do you think about WWE’s decision to break up The Hurt Business? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

While Bobby Lashley made his return to WWE in 2018, his career really turned around after the formation of the Hurt Business which has since led to the All Mighty winning the WWE championship for the first time in his career.

The current champion recently had an interview with The Wrap where he talked about his time in the company since his return in detail including his storyline with Lana and more.

During the interview, Lashley discussed the origin of the Hurt Business. The Raw star revealed that he was the one who came up with the name for their group and explained where he got the idea from:

“It was me. I was thinking about this before, I was thinking about the whole thing before, Originally, a boxing coach that I had down in Coconut Creek at American Top Team. He used to always wear this T-shirt and I was like, man, that is incredible man, that needs to be in WWE because that’s my character.”

The former TNA star then talked about the formation of the group. He remembered how MVP’s return was originally going to be a one night thing and he explained how they chose the other members of their group:

“And then when MVP had that Royal Rumble, he was only going to do that, but when he was there, we had worked before and I told him, ‘you are kind of a mix between Suge Knight, and Don King.’ I said, ‘If you mix all those up that is you.’ And I told him about this and then me and him got together and he was like, ‘We can make a real little faction out of this.’

And of course we thought about Shelton (Benjamin), because Shelton wasn’t really doing anything, everybody knows how good Shelton is. I was like, man we got to bring Shelton, because Shelton gets it. And then we needed a young boy to come up, and Cedric (Alexander) is phenomenal.”

• Bobby Lashley: Hurt Business Wants Specific Female Wrestler To Join Stable

Lashley aligned himself with MVP in May last year. They were joined by Shelton Benjamin a month later in June to create the Hurt Business. The three fueded with Apollo Crews, Cedric Alexander and Ricochet for a while before Alexander joined the trio as well.

Apart from this, Bobby Lashley discussed how his current WWE run is different than his previous runs with the company and more. You can check out his full interview at this link.

Bobby Lashley, who is the CEO of his faction The Hurt Business, have become a formidable force in WWE since their formation last year. The group has found championship success in that the United States Championship as well as the Raw Tag Team Championships are under The Hurt Business’ hold.

The Hurt Business gets often compared to the Nation of Domination, but Bobby Lashley does not share the same opinion. He dismissed any comparisons between the two factions in a recent interview with Sporting News. Lashley explained that they wanted to represent African-American men in a way that hasn’t been done before:

“My first thought was ‘Thank you!’ But that’s not who we were. Because you see a group of Black guys, some people immediately associate them with another group of Black guys,” Bobby Lashley said. “I love what The Nation did, but that’s not what we’re about at all. But we are totally different. It’s not about black and white; we are about green and gold. We are thugs in suits because we have a hardcore style, but want to look good doing it. We wanted to show a different representation of Black men because we haven’t seen that. We are four professional Black men who can mess you up. That’s what we’re all about.”

With leader MVP and CEO Bobby Lashley, along with members Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin, The Hurt Business does not seem like they’re looking to advance. Back in October, Titus O’Neil requested to join the group, but was rejected and brutally assaulted by the group. Since then, however, Bobby Lashley has shown interest in a member of the roster that according to him could make a good addition to the group.

Bobby Lashley has said that Keith Lee is a star who is ready to breakout and the Hurt Business would propel him to the next level. Lashley stated, “He has been going out there and doing everything he has to do. I think he’s the kind of person who might need a little Hurt Business in his life to take him to that next level. He is ready to breakout, as are others.”

Bobby Lashley says he wants Keith Lee in his Hurt Business faction. Lashley thinks Lee is a star who is ready to breakout and the Hurt Business would propel him to the next level.

While speaking to TV Insider, WWE’s reigning United States Champion was asked if he sees any similarities between himself and Keith Lee.

“Now that you say that, I kind of do,” Lashley said about seeing some of his own characteristics in Keith Lee. “When I first came in, I was a major player. Then I hovered. At certain times I faced John Cena, Booker T. and JBL, but I never broke through to get that world title. Keith has earned respect from a lot of people.”

Lashley added, “He has been going out there and doing everything he has to do. I think he’s the kind of person who might need a little Hurt Business in his life to take him to that next level. He is ready to breakout, as are others.”

Keith Lee was added to the main roster in 2020 after a great stint in NXT, where he won the NXT Championship and also the North American Championship.

Since The Hurt Business has seen some tension amongst the members, Bobby Lashley was asked if there is a possibility the group might disband.

“No. Sometimes when we disagree, it’s just being brothers — you have little spats. There’s no chance we’re breaking up.”

Meanwhile, Bobby Lashley will defend his United States title against Keith Lee himself and Matt Riddle in a triple-threat match at the Elimination Chamber event this Sunday. He defeated Apollo Crews at Payback last year to win the title for the second time in his career.

The Hurt Business have fulfilled their goal of becoming the WWE RAW Tag Team Champions.

At Sunday’s (December 20, 2020) WWE TLC pay-per-view event in St. Petersburg, Florida at the Tropicana Field on the WWE Network, Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin did so when they dethroned The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) to win the titles. 

The Finish saw Alexander hit the lumbar check to Kingston for the win. Time will tell whether WWE continues this feud or goes into a different direction heading into the Royal Rumble pay-per-view event next month. It’s possible a rematch could come as soon as Monday’s episode of RAW. 

The New Day was drafted to RAW while The Street Profits were drafted to SmackDown during this year’s Draft. At the time, WWE official Adam Pearce had the two teams trade championships.

Thus, there was never an official title change, but rather the titles were renamed and the champions followed suit. 

WWE posted this photo of the Hurt Business backstage at TLC with their gold:

Backstage News On Who Is Writing Roman Reigns’ Promos

What are your thoughts on The Hurt Business winning the RAW Tag Team Titles? Was this the right call by WWE officials? Sound off in the comment section.

Bobby Lashley walked away as the new WWE United States Champion following his Payback matchup with Apollo Crews. This win marks the second time Lashley has held the title. In a WWE.com exclusive, Lashley and his Hurt Business stablemates addressed the victory and shared what people can expect next.

When asked what this title win meant to him, Lashley deferred the mic to MVP, who stated:

“Satisfaction. Ask Apollo about satisfaction because obviously he is another satisfied client of The Hurt Business. Our business is hurt, and I think if you talk to Apollo Crews right now, his neck is hurt, his ribs are hurt, and his feelings are hurt.”

Bobby Lashley then stressed how The Hurt Business isn’t a brand, clique, or a group. He urged people to remember that they are, simply, The Hurt Business. He promised how “This is just the first to come.”

MVP added how he had told everybody in the past that he knew what The Hurt Business could do in WWE. He explained how, “I told you when I first started talking to my man Lashley, when I first started talking to Shelton, I knew what we were capable of. This is step one. I promise you step two is coming.”

Bobby Lashley and MVP also celebrated the title win on their respective social media accounts. Lashley noted how his first and current United States Championship reign were 14 years apart. He first won the belt from JBL on the May 26, 2006, episode of SmackDown.

If you use any quotes from this article, please provide a H/T to SEScoops.