Bobby Lashley. Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Matt Hardy's take on 'The Hurt Syndicate' is spot on

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Nov 2, 2024 1:33 PM ET

Bobby Lashley made his AEW debut on Wednesday. The former WWE, TNA and ECW champion is the final piece of the "The Hurt Syndicate" with his stablemates, MVP and Shelton Benjamin, having been part of the company for the past few weeks.

Lashley immediately made his presence felt, appearing after Swerve Strickland handed Benjamin his first loss in AEW. According to Matt Hardy, who was speaking on a recent episode of his "The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy" podcast, "The Hurt Syndicate" could play a pivotal role within AEW programming moving forward.

“It’s going to be interesting. I think there can definitely be some equity in MVP, Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin together," Hardy said. (h/t to Fightful) "I think those three can be a force and I think they can be a very important part of AEW television, they can be a cornerstone or a building block towards helping build the future.”

The trio brings something new to AEW. All three are experienced in cutting promos, producing high-level in-ring performances and developing storylines. And all three can shoulder some pressure when either opening a card or working as the main event. AEW could potentially use the trio as its answer to WWE's "Bloodline."

AEW's roster has been praised for its depth this year. However, there's no denying it's been short on main-event talent. Not all of its signings have worked out the way many would have hoped. Lashley is a genuine main-event talent. Benjamin is trustworthy in that position due to his athleticism and power.

As AEW continues to near full health after almost two years of dealing with significant injuries, Tony Khan will have plenty of avenues to explore at the top of the card. Hardy believes that Lashley and Benjamin will play critical roles there.

Of course, the Swerve storyline will undoubtedly continue to develop, especially as he's on his own against a new powerhouse within the company. How that plays out will dictate what's next. For now, it's clear that some exceptional matches lie ahead.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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