Bobby Lashley & MVP would have a major impact in any promotion

Fans have kept a close eye on developments involving MVP and Bobby Lashley. Rumors continued to boil about what was next for the two superstars. A development came on Friday as both men were moved to the Alumni section of the website. Lashley and MVP are two stalwarts of professional wrestling and losing them hurts at a time when fans want to see more for Black performers in the company.

There’s been a lot of talk about Triple H’s booking practices when it comes to Black men on the main roster. SummerSlam is a staple among the annual PLEs and this year’s event did not feature any Black men in those matches. Nia Jax was the only Black person on the seven-match show. Our own research has shown that Black performers make up 15 percent of the in-ring talent on Monday Night Raw and 20 percent of the talent on WWE SmackDown. And that doesn’t reflect how often those stars are losing.

That brings the conversation back to Bobby Lashley and MVP. These are two individuals who have Hall of Fame-worthy credentials in their back pocket. Yet, WWE could not find anything worthwhile for them to do in the last few years. As the foundation of The Hurt Business, they were one of the focal points during WWE’s time struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with Shelton Benjamin (who is also no longer with WWE), and Cedric Alexander, they were one of the best acts in the company. That act was unceremoniously disbanded and wide agreement is that they weren’t utilized in the best way.

So now what? Both are seemingly no longer with WWE. What’s next? Hopefully, MVP and Lashley can stay connected in their next steps. While many are hoping to see them and Benjamin reform in All Elite Wrestling, that doesn’t jump off the page as well. Not because of the performers, but more so because AEW has its own issues with its roster being exceptionally stacked with the best stars in the game. Lashley, MVP, and Benjamin would be massive signings, but where would they fit in a show that struggles to get everyone time? Would it be fun to see them battling the Blackpool Combat Club? Yes, it certainly would, but what’s the long-term endgame?

This is where TNA and NJPW come into the equation. TNA is riding the wave of its partnership with WWE, which has led to improved engagement with the product. NJPW needs some type of injection of excitement and that’s exactly what this trio would bring. Imagine a long-term run where each of those three men held champions in Japan. That would not only be something different for that company but also bring over new fans from the Black community which tends to not follow New Japan as closely. Mercedes Mone showed there’s interest there when the stars from that group were booked by Japanese companies. Perhaps Benjamin, Lashley, and MVP can do the same.

There will be discourse around whether letting Lashley and MVP go was the right move for WWE. As that debate rages, fans will watch closely to see what they do next. Here’s to hoping that they, and Shelton Benjamin, get a strong run wherever they turn up next.