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MVP's emergence and the imminent threat of The Hurt Syndicate has been a refreshing addition to All Elite Wrestling.
Mr. 305's tremendous promo work and the group's impending storyline with Swerve Strickland have been a highlight on AEW Dynamite. Their segment from WrestleDream effectively created anticipation for Bobby Lashley's arrival and helped build up Shelton Benjamin in the meantime.
Ever since The Hurt Business imploded three years ago in WWE, fans have campaigned for a reunion and return to glory.
Their short but dominant run made them a fan favorite because there aren't many memorable mainstream stables featuring Black wrestlers in pro wrestling.
So much so that the group dodged comparisons to The Nation of Domination because that's the only frame of reference many viewers had. Still, the four-man supergroup offered a unique presentation and positive representation in an industry that often relies on outdated tropes and stereotypes.
In a time when The Bloodline has also revolutionized the use of Samoan heritage, The Hurt Business was a much-needed step forward for African American men that could have developed into so much more.
As such, it's gratifying to see three of the founding members seemingly prepared to take on another venture together. Hopefully, they can achieve more and continue to inspire change with AEW.
A Booming Stretch Cut Short
"If it ain't broken, don't fix it." This famous adage perfectly describes Lashley's working relationship with his well-dressed manager. The two formerly teamed up with TNA to create the foundation for The Beat Down Clan.
However, most fans will always link them due to their partnership and triumph with WWE. In 2020, they formed The Hurt Business with Cedric Alexander and Benjamin, with whom MVP also worked with in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
The winning combination helped the four men attain renewed interest and championship gold, including Lashley's WWE title win on March 1, 2021. Surprisingly, though, the faction didn't last long.
In fact, Benjamin and Alexander lost the Raw tag team titles two weeks later and were unceremoniously kicked out of the group by the end of the month. That's right. WWE split them up at the height of Lashley's success as a heel in the lead-up to WrestleMania 37.
Although The CEO of The Hurt Business retained his title at the event, putting the kibosh on the act that got him there was a baffling decision. There was still so much they could have done together, but their prosperous run ended prematurely.
Breaking them up before the first show in front of a live audience seemed even more short-sighted because they rose to prominence in empty arenas and the ThunderDome.
WWE didn't even allow them to see the fruit of their labor during the pandemic because we didn't find out how the Raymond James Stadium crowd would have reacted to them.
Renewed Hope
The Hurt Business briefly teased a reunion in 2022 and again in January 2023, but neither attempt was successful.
WWE abruptly dropped the storyline last year following the Feb. 6 episode of Raw, and Lashley recruited The Street Profits to join The Pride in July.
Recently, MVP stated plans to reunite the faction fell apart without any explanation and he was upset that no one contacted him to let him know. Benjamin confirmed this and later said Vince McMahon told him, "We've gone as far as we can with The Hurt Business," during his interview with Chris Van Vliet.
The company ultimately released the 49-year-old last September. Lashley and his outspoken mouthpiece finished their contracts this fall, opening the door for a long-awaited return to form elsewhere.
WWE is currently facing criticism online about the lack of Black male wrestlers in its last three premium live events. Losing Ricochet to AEW and the prospect of The Hurt Business joining its biggest competitor isn't a great sign.
Yes, the industry leader has crowned three Black world champions over the last five years so it's hard to say it hasn't made progress. Still, pulling the rug out from under its members and eventually losing the faction was a major unforced error.
For the past two years, there have also been no African American men in the title picture on the main roster.
Conversely, AEW has also received its fair share of complaints because of its lack of diversity at times. Both companies and the industry as a whole still have some work to do in this area, but giving The Hurt Business an outlet to tell new stories is a step in the right direction.
We certainly don't want to give out kudos on this issue before the follow-through, but this is Tony Khan's chance to reaffirm his commitment to changing the narrative.
Lashley, MVP and Benjamin fill a void, and the top two purveyors of pro wrestling must give performers like them the platform to normalize positive examples of representation.
With Drew McIntyre in his rearview, CM Punk can move on to new opponents when he returns from his hiatus.
After The Scottish Warrior injured him in this year's men's Royal Rumble match, the two produced one of the best feuds of 2024. Their encounter in Hell in a Cell silenced many of Punk's detractors and proved the divisive star still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
Still, WWE has milked this matchup for all its worth. It's time for him to face some new challenges and create fresh stories. After all, this premise initially made his shocking return to the company appealing to many fans.
On the latest episode of Raw, The Second City Saint revealed he plans to take some time off to recuperate following his venture into the demonic structure.
It was refreshing to see a wrestler sell the mental and physical toll the match put on them, but it's just as exciting to speculate on when and where they will show up again.
The 45-year-old will be in high demand on the flagship series with a clean bill of health and an empty dance card.
As we inch closer to WrestleMania season, let's consider how WWE could capitalize on Punk ahead of Survivor Series: WarGames.
A Return to the World Title Picture
It may not seem like it, but it's been almost a year since Punk shocked the world by returning to WWE at Survivor Series last November. It took him about the same amount of time elsewhere to climb the power ranking and become the AEW world champion.
Yes, his aforementioned tricep injury meant he couldn't compete in nearly as many matches as in his debut year with the competition.
Nevertheless, the Chicago native has his sights on championship gold and hopes to achieve his dream of headlining WrestleMania before he ends his illustrious career.
Punk took his first steps toward that goal following his win at Bash in Berlin. During the Sept. 2 episode of Raw, he officially called out Gunther before McIntyre attacked him again and reinitiated their bitter rivalry.
Their clash at Hell in a Cell was a satisfying end to this storyline. Now, he can refocus on The Ring General and his pursuit of the title he had a wealth of history with during his original stint with WWE.
Of course, the six-time world champion didn't hold the newest version of the title, but the mantle contested from 2002 to 2013 was integral to his early run on SmackDown. His time with the belt isn't as celebrated as his 434-day reign with the company's top prize, but it's an important part of his rise to prominence.
The two-time Money in the Bank winner used his contract to claim the "big gold belt" twice, and he famously feuded over it with Jeff Hardy and The Undertaker in 2009. So, winning a title that's an homage to the iconic title he once held would be apropos and another way to reignite his rivalry with the inaugural champion, Seth Rollins.
Even more, a win over Gunther would offer him the chance to compete in the main event of The Showcase of the Immortals next year.
High-Risk, High-Reward
On the surface, it may seem risky to pit Gunther against a bigger star following his upcoming match with Cody Rhodes at Crown Jewel. It may be even more questionable to drop the title to The Best in the World due to his track record with injuries.
However, The Ring General could benefit from consecutive high-profile matchups, and Punk is presented as one of the main characters on Raw. They would inevitably have to cross paths due to their characters' current motivations, and this could elevate the brand's main title.
Some fans have dismissed the World Heavyweight Championship as a consolation prize since its inception. A major star like Punk could help to change that perception. In fact, a meaningful WrestleMania storyline centered around the significance of the title with Rollins would shift the narrative around it.
Speaking of The Visionary, it hardly seems like a coincidence that WWE is building up more heels on Raw. During this week's episode, the 38-year-old showed hints that he could revert to his old self, and The Miz recently turned on R-Truth.
They both have a history with Punk and a new babyface champion would need compelling antagonists. Bron Breakker also confirmed he didn't turn over a new leaf yet when he attacked Jey Uso, and The Second City Saint teased a future match with him on the Sept. 17 episode of NXT.
John Cena will also return soon to start his retirement tour. Wouldn't it be fitting if one of his greatest rivals is standing in the way of his attempts to break Ric Flair's record when he does? That is a perfect way to set up a rematch with his old foe.
All these developments suggest Punk could realistically be in line for a run as the brand's flagbearer, and there would be many directions to go with him. But it's also clear there are more options available even if he loses Gunther.
Regardless, Punk is undoubtedly on a collision course with The Ring General at Survivor Series on Nov. 30, and we can't wait to see how it turns out.
