Bobby Lashley talks the Hurt Syndicate's opportunity in AEW

[Chris]

Bobby Lashley on why he signed with AEW: ‘The reason is The Hurt Syndicate’

“We didn’t get the opportunity to show what we really wanted to do before. Now we do.”

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Bobby Lashley arrived in AEW for one specific reason.

“The reason is The Hurt Syndicate,” said Lashley, referring to his faction with MVP and Shelton Benjamin. “We wanted an opportunity to run with the group, and Tony Khan gave us that opportunity in AEW.”

Lashley’s arrival in AEW this fall is an unexpected coup for the company. There is a different aura when Lashley is on-screen, which was unmistakably evident at Full Gear when he battled former AEW world champion Swerve Strickland. Lashley is an action figure come to life, an agile and versatile powerhouse who doubles as a legitimate force in the ring.

When creative issues arose between Lashley and Paul Levesque in WWE, an expiring contract allowed him to explore other options. He had been performing for WWE since 2018, and delivered some of the best work of his career during this past run. But it isn’t the first time Lashley gambled on himself; he left WWE and signed with TNA in 2009. He had two successful runs with the company and made a lasting impression. He is now prepared to do the same in AEW, especially considering he is once again aligned with MVP and Benjamin.

“We didn’t get the opportunity to show what we really wanted to do before,” said Lashley, who had immense success with The Hurt Business in WWE from 2020 through 2022 before the group was broken up prematurely. “Now we do. The possibilities and ideas about what we can do in AEW, that keeps me up at night.”

Lashley spoke at AEW’s All In Texas event earlier this week, which showcased much of the roster while highlighting that tickets are now on sale for next summer’s event held at Globe Life Field in Arlington. He also had a stare down with Swerve, re-emphasizing that their feud has only just begun.

“Swerve, Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Okada, there are so many guys here to get in the ring with,” said Lashley. “That’s good for us. That’s good for them, too.”

But Lashley has even bigger aspirations for next summer at All In. By then, he intends to be prominently involved in the world title picture.

“I just moved to Texas, so I can win the belt–or defend it–only miles from my home,” said Lashley. “Headlining the event, it’s not written in the books. I’m still new here, but that’s what I’m working toward achieving.”

Lashley firmly believes that The Hurt Syndicate can power AEW. Given that the group just began to scratch the surface of their potential in WWE, it is an exciting proposition to think that Lashley, MVP, and Benjamin will have more screen time together in AEW.

His partnership with MVP dates back to their time together in TNA. Paired together somewhat abruptly, the two realized they shared a lot in common–and complemented each other in ways that neither had envisioned.

“When we got thrown together in Impact, we didn’t know what to expect–but it just worked,” said Lashley. “There is a synergy. He’s a natural bad guy. He’s the voice, I’m the power. Handling yourself against MVP on the mic and against me in the ring, that’s a challenge for everyone in AEW.

“We are exactly who we say we are. I’m a nice guy but I can hurt people. MVP does not hold his tongue. At all. That gets him in trouble sometimes, but he’s real. He means what he says, and you need to respect that. If you don’t, you’ve got to deal with me.”

Part of the reason Lashley and MVP are no longer employed in WWE is that their Hurt Business vision was not embraced. They were all adamant that it would work, leading to the birth of The Hurt Syndicate. There is now a new canvas for the three of them to explore in AEW, and Lashley is even more confident with both MVP and Benjamin by his side.

Perpetually underrated, Benjamin has aged like a fine wine. Defying Father Time at the age of 49 (and Lashley is redefining what it means to be a 48-year-old professional athlete), Benjamin has dazzled since his AEW debut this fall, proving to be another valuable free agent signing.

“Shelton came from a world where he was taught to be humble,” said Lashley, who marveled at Benjamin’s success in North America and Asia. “In the pro wrestling business, it’s unfortunate, but that’s used against you. Shelton shows you what he can do.

“One of my favorite quotes is ‘Sometimes you have to believe in someone else’s belief in you.’ We all believe in each other, and look what’s happened so far. Tony put Shelton in a couple matches right away, and both of those matches opened people’s eyes. Maybe someone didn’t see that in him before. Tony sees it, he sees how impressive Shelton is. And we all believe in each other. I believe in MVP, I believe in Shelton, and they believe in me.”

Lashley did not come to AEW to open the show or add to the middle of the card. He arrived with clear intentions, and that is to become the face of the company as world champ.

“I’m not asking for anything more than an opportunity, and that’s what Tony Khan gave me,” said Lashley. “I’m definitely not asking to be world champ. Of course, that’s where I want to be, but that’s not how I approach it. I don’t go around telling people I am going to be champ. I make it so I am undeniable.”

The AEW title would mark a new milestone for Lashley. He has already been world champ in WWE, Impact, and ECW, and the AEW belt is next on his list.

“I’m going to give people a reason to chase me,” said Lashley. “I did that in WWE, I did it in Impact, and I’m going to do it here in AEW.”