Shelton Benjamin has explained how the end of Hurt Business in WWE was mentally challenging for him.
The former WWE star was the most recent guest on Talk is Jericho. He discussed things such as his first WWE run, his experience working for NJPW in Japan, his tag team with Chad Gable, and more.
Benjamin also detailed his feelings about The Hurt Business' time in the company. The Gold Standard first discussed how he had only been used in odd spots since his return to the promotion in 2017 and never given a proper chance to showcase his talents. The formation of the Hurt Business in 2020 was finally a storyline that could have elevated him so it was a big blow when the group was disbanded:
In my opinion, Hurt Business and Roman Reigns carried the WWE during the pandemic era. And I felt a bit betrayed because I come here every week. I've never complained. I risked my life, just like everybody else. When other people wanted to stay home, you never had to question whether or not I will come to work.
So for us to, bear that burden....and mind you, obviously, we're not the only ones. We're not the only people, but the fact that we were always willing and we were actually producing for you, to just immediately turn around and just kill it....like what the fuck man.
Nothing's Good Enough: Shelton Benjamin
Shelton Benjamin also revealed that he approached Vince McMahon directly when he first got the news of The Hurt Business' end, and to this date he has gotten no clear answer on why their run was cut short:
His comment to me was, 'We've gone as far as we can with Hurt Business.' The Hurt business was around for eight months before he pulled the plug. When he said that, it was almost like you want to cry inside.
Because it's like, nothing I can do for this person seems to help, nothing's good enough. I was really just insulted, I knew then, like, I don't really have a future here. At this point this is just a job where I'm just collecting a check.
The current AEW star noted that he's always wanted to be the guy that helps build the momentum for the place he's working in instead of taking advantage of other people's work. The abrupt ending of the Hurt Business however, made it clear to him that he'll never be afforded that chance in WWE.
