AEW star Shelton Benjamin, who was released from WWE in 2023, recently shared his disappointment over Vince McMahon’s decision. In 2020, Shelton Benjamin teamed up with MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Cedric Alexander to form The Hurt Business.
The Hurt Business quickly gained popularity during the pandemic era but disbanded in 2021. Although WWE attempted several reunions, The Hurt Business never regained its previous fan support. The decision was disappointing not only for the fans but also for the faction members.
Shelton Benjamin appeared on the Talk is Jericho podcast, where he opened up about Vince McMahon’s decision to split the group. Benjamin felt betrayed by the move, saying, “Vince, for whatever reason, he decided that the money was with Bobby and MVP as his manager and he was just done with it, the Hurt Business. We never gotten a straight answer as to why.”
He continued, “When I initially got the news, I went to Vince and was like — I’d been there for a few years with nothing happened and I was like, I finally have something that we can actually work with and elevate me that benefits the company, especially during the pandemic era because in my opinion, the Hurt Business and Roman Reigns carried WWE during the pandemic era. I felt a bit betrayed because I come here every week, I never complain, I risk my life just like everybody else. When other people wanted to stay home, you never had to question whether or not I’d come to work.” [H/T: Fightful]
Shelton Benjamin opens up about WWE’s decision to split The Hurt Business
On the same podcast, AEW star Shelton Benjamin revealed his frustration with the situation. He explained that although they were producing and always willing to give their best, Vince McMahon abruptly ended The Hurt Business.
Benjamin felt blindsided and disheartened, especially after McMahon told him they had reached their limit with the faction. He also expressed how he wanted to be a leader, to drive the momentum. However, he felt that McMahon would never allow it to happen.
While The Hurt Business never reached its full potential in WWE, the three key members of the faction Shelton Benjamin, MVP, and Bobby Lashley are now in AEW. Recently, on Dynamite, Benjamin and Lashley captured the AEW Tag Team Titles. It will be interesting to see how their run develops under Tony Khan’s leadership.