MVP Reveals WWE’s Treatment of Shelton Benjamin Pushed Him to AEW

Shelton Benjamin’s WWE run came to an abrupt end in September 2023, and for MVP, it didn’t sit right.

After celebrating 20 years in the business in December 2022, Benjamin found himself on the sidelines for most of 2023 before WWE decided to release him without even offering a backstage role. That move didn’t sit well with MVP, and it played a huge part in his own decision to leave WWE and reunite with Benjamin and Bobby Lashley in AEW.

Speaking on Huge Pop! with Donnie DaSilva and Jimmy Korderas, MVP was asked if he would have still made the move to AEW without Lashley and Benjamin being involved. He didn’t hold back on his answer.

“There wouldn’t have been a conversation. Bobby and I came to the conclusion that it was time to move on. I made it very clear that I was ready to go. I was able to convince Bobby to come with me. Shelton, at that point, had already been released, unceremoniously. I thought it was… it left a bad taste in my mouth, how Shelton was just cut after all these years. Not even offered to be a trainer or a producer. Just, ‘See ya.’ I was like, ‘Bobby, let’s get the team back together and let’s go to AEW. We got one last ride.’ Fortunately, everything worked out and we were able to do this,” said MVP.

Now, Benjamin and Lashley have more than just a fresh start. They’re holding gold as the reigning AEW Tag Team Champions, proving that their legacy isn’t finished just yet. With the Hurt Syndicate running strong in AEW, the group is showing exactly why WWE’s loss is AEW’s gain.

Was WWE wrong for how they handled Shelton Benjamin’s release? Do you think the Hurt Syndicate will dominate AEW for years to come? Drop your thoughts in the comments!