In a candid interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, the Hurt Syndicate’s MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin revealed that their current AEW run represents their “last ride” together as a faction, with a specific mission that goes beyond simply collecting championship gold.

“We knew that just realistically speaking, this is the last ride. You know, this is it. We’re, you know, this is our last run and then we’re going to ride off into the sunset,” MVP explained during the interview.

“You know, we’re we’re all in our even though we’re in tremendous shape, you know, we are still in our later years. And the whole idea with what we want to do on our way out the door is make some stars.”

The veteran trio has made it clear their strategy involves building up their own credibility in AEW before transferring that value to the next generation. MVP elaborated on their approach:

“We’re talking about trying to take some of the equity that we’ve built up through the years and now reestablish that equity at AEW and then when the time is right with the right young talent, transfer that equity and make somebody.”

Shelton Benjamin noted they have “a bit more control of our destiny this time” compared to their WWE run as the Hurt Business, which “ended way prematurely.” Benjamin added:

“None of us were happy about that. And by us, I mean everyone. So, the fact that we’re able to come here and give you the product that we want to give you and this everything’s going great and like I said, I’m we’re having the time of our lives.”

This creative freedom appears critical to executing their vision for elevating younger talent in AEW. Bobby Lashley mentioned specific tag teams they’ve already enjoyed working with:

“When we first got there, we went with Private Party and they shocked us at the beginning. Like, I like those guys. I truly like those guys. I think those guys are going to be stars. But then the guns, the guns also, they’re going to be stars also.”

Lashley emphasized their approach to elevating talent:

“It’s not just about us. It’s about making some of these guys. And we don’t know who we were going to make… so far, the teams that we’ve been against, they’ve they’ve actually really impressed us.”

While the group has made it clear they will eventually pursue singles gold (with MVP stating they will hold the tag titles “until we decide as a group that okay, we’re now ready to move on to that next level”), their current focus on tag team excellence and mentorship demonstrates a rare long-term vision in professional wrestling.

For AEW’s developing roster, having established veterans intentionally focused on elevating talent could significantly impact the company’s future stars – exactly as the Hurt Syndicate has planned for their final chapter together.

Despite a career spanning over two decades, Shelton Benjamin made it clear during his appearance on Chris Van Vliet’s “Insight” that his world championship aspirations remain very much alive in AEW.

When asked if he could see himself winning a world title in AEW, Benjamin responded emphatically:

“Um, I’m going to just say yes. Um, I definitely still won a world title. If you watch my performances, I’m not performing like a guy who wants to just, you know, retire right off into the sunset. I’m still working every day to make sure that dream stays alive.”

While acknowledging he was previously a world champion in Puerto Rico’s WWC promotion, Benjamin clarified his goal is to achieve the pinnacle of success in one of wrestling’s major companies:

“Being a world champion in a prominent company is definitely on top of that list. Now, I have been world champion for Puerto Rico WWC, but uh I don’t know if we want to count that one.” After the audience insisted it does count, Benjamin added, “So, but as far as WWE, AW, the big name companies, I won a world championship and I’m working every day to make sure that dream stays alive.”

Throughout his career, Benjamin has been widely regarded as one of wrestling’s most naturally gifted athletes and in-ring performers. This reputation was reinforced during the interview when Chris Van Vliet mentioned,

“You haven’t lost a step. None of you guys have lost a step,” noting the impressive physical condition all three Hurt Syndicate members maintain despite their veteran status.

Bobby Lashley even paid his stablemate the ultimate compliment later in the interview, stating,

“Shelton Benjamin has never had a bad match,” highlighting Benjamin’s consistent in-ring excellence that has defined his career.

Benjamin’s world championship pursuit represents an increasingly common narrative in modern wrestling, where veteran performers can still achieve major career milestones later in their careers, particularly in AEW where several wrestlers in their 40s and beyond have captured championships.

While the Hurt Syndicate’s current focus remains on their tag team championship run, MVP confirmed singles gold is in their future:

“We are going to hold these tag team titles until we’re done until we decide as a group that okay, we’re now ready to move on to that next level and then we are coming for singles tag team championship. I mean uh singles championship gold.”

For Benjamin, that opportunity to finally capture a world championship in a major promotion would serve as the crowning achievement in an already illustrious career – and based on his current performances in AEW, it’s clear he still has the skills to make that dream a reality.

In an era of sometimes hastily assembled wrestling factions, the Hurt Syndicate stands apart through an authentic connection that resonates with fans, as revealed in their recent appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet.

“This is real. And you guys feel it. And that’s why it gets over so well,” Bobby Lashley explained when asked about their reunion in AEW. The group emphasized repeatedly that their connection extends far beyond the camera, setting them apart from other wrestling stables.

“When we came together originally, it was so it was so natural. It was so it was so real,” Lashley added.

“And the crowd, you guys knew it. Like, this isn’t just a couple guys that got thrown together. And you see it all the time. You see in WWE, you see in AW, you see guys that get thrown together and you know the minute they leave the show, they all go their separate ways. That’s not how we were. Like we are really friends. We really do stuff together. We really argue. We really fight like brothers.”

This authentic brotherhood extends to their travel arrangements, with the group confirming they often travel together. As Shelton Benjamin noted, “We get it in” with the teasing and banter between venues, demonstrating their rapport continues offscreen.

The chemistry between the three veterans manifests in their in-ring dynamics as well. When asked about their tag team work, Lashley acknowledged Benjamin’s expertise: “Shelton’s brilliant in in the tag team world. So, um, I’ve had a bunch of matches, put together a bunch of matches, and I still do the same, but when it goes to tag team stuff, you have to defer to somebody that does know tag team wrestling.”

Benjamin elaborated on how they leverage each member’s strengths:

“We played to our strengths in whatever situation. Usually talking I’ll be quiet and let MVP do all the talking he wants cuz cuz in our dynamic unquestionably that’s that’s he he runs circles around us and pretty much most people in the industry. Uh wrestling wise, tech technically wise, I think I’m a more of a technician. Bobby clearly is the is the is the power and you know, he’s he’s he’s like a one-of-a-kind athlete. So, like I said, we all use our collective knowledge and put our best foot forward in whatever situation we’re presented with.”

The group’s comedic chemistry was on display throughout the interview, particularly when discussing who would win in a fight among them.

“Me,” MVP quickly claimed, leaving Lashley “speechless” before Benjamin interjected, “I’m the quiet one,” implying his dangerous nature, while MVP proudly declared himself “the loud one.”

This playful dynamic carries into their characters, with MVP noting, “MVP makes us do bad things, but we like it,” to which he clarified, “I don’t I don’t make them. I just kind of help persuade them to do what they like doing anyway.”

In professional wrestling, where chemistry can make or break a faction, the Hurt Syndicate demonstrates how authentic relationships translate to compelling television. As their AEW run continues, this genuine brotherhood provides a foundation that enhances both their in-ring performances and promo work, setting them apart from artificially constructed teams and connecting with audiences on a deeper level.