Folks, the AEW Dynamite 5-year anniversary show just became a whole lot more elite, as the one and only Shelton Benjamin made his long-awaited return to a major wrestling promotion. After what felt like an eternity off our screens, Benjamin strutted into All Elite Wrestling and, in true Shelton fashion, made an instant impact. And according to the rumor mill—well, Fightful Select—he’s not alone. That’s right, folks, Bobby Lashley is reportedly on his way to AEW, and things are about to get hurt.
Now, let’s talk about how this all went down. During a backstage segment on AEW Dynamite’s anniversary edition, MVP introduced Benjamin as the “President of the Complaints Division,” a title that screams, “I’m here to stir the pot.” And stir the pot, he did! Poor Prince Nana tried to voice his grievances, but Shelton had no time for that nonsense. Instead of offering any help, Benjamin snatched Nana’s cup of coffee and sauntered off alongside MVP like the boss he is. Folks, this was less about solving problems and more about establishing dominance—Hurt Syndicate style.
And speaking of the Hurt Syndicate, let’s get to the big news: Bobby Lashley—former WWE Champion, destroyer of worlds, and walking muscle fortress—is reportedly All Elite as well. He wasn’t there in person, but word is his AEW debut is “impending.” That’s wrestling speak for “brace yourselves,” folks. With Lashley and Benjamin joining forces under the guidance of MVP, the once-feared Hurt Business looks ready to reemerge as the Hurt Syndicate, but this time on AEW soil. We’re talking about an all-star lineup of in-ring powerhouses and MVP pulling the strings as manager extraordinaire.
But that’s not all MVP’s been up to. Since his own AEW debut on the September 25 episode of Dynamite, MVP has been recruiting some of AEW’s biggest stars like he’s running a wrestling draft. Among his top targets are none other than former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland and current TBS Champion and NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Moné. If MVP manages to bring in these heavy hitters, the Hurt Syndicate could become the most dominant faction in wrestling faster than you can say “VIP Lounge.”
Let’s not forget that Benjamin has been keeping himself sharp on the indie circuit, showing up everywhere from PROGRESS Wrestling in the UK to Deadlock Pro Wrestling. Meanwhile, Lashley has been laying low since his WWE contract expired in August 2024, which probably means he’s been doing nothing but lifting, eating, and plotting his return to the ring. No word yet on the fine details of their AEW contracts—like exclusivity or length—but one thing’s for sure: the Hurt Syndicate is about to shake up AEW in a major way.