'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
For quite some time now, AEW viewers have been awaiting the arrival of Bobby Lashley in the Tony Khan-led company. This transpired after rumors that had been circulating about a potential Hurt Business reunion in the company. With The All Mighty's former WWE stablemates, MVP and Shelton Benjamin, already having appeared on All Elite programming over the past few weeks, it seems like Lashley's debut could simply be a matter of time.
With that being said, there are arguably a few reasons why the former WWE Champion should not make his debut on AEW programming on Dynamite this week. Let's explore three such reasons.
#1. Dynamite should focus on new AEW World Champion Jon Moxley
AEW fans are still reeling from the aftermath of the WrestleDream 2024 Pay-Per-View, which witnessed the end of Bryan Danielson's full-time wrestling career as he lost his AEW World Championship to Jon Moxley. The Purveyor of Violence, who has been waging a war on All Elite Wrestling since his recent return, seems intent on building a new status quo in the promotion with him and the new iteration of the Blackpool Combat Club on top.
The closing sequence of WrestleDream 2024 saw Wheeler Yuta turn against Danielson before Claudio Castagnoli wrapped a chair around The American Dragon's injured neck and then delivered a vicious stomp on it. Several babyfaces would soon arrive to rescue Bryan and a restrained Darby Allin, including Orange Cassidy, Daniel Garcia, and Hook.
Moxley has already been announced to appear on this week's AEW Dynamite. Considering the gravity of the angle that the Blackpool Combat Club launched at the pay-per-view last Saturday, their storyline should arguably be the core focus of the episode. This suggests that Bobby Lashley's debut on the show could be ill-timed and it might also take away Moxley's momentum.
#2. Shelton Benjamin should enjoy the limelight for his All Elite in-ring debut on Dynamite
MVP and Shelton Benjamin recently had a tense backstage interaction with Lio Rush. The 29-year-old star refused to back down from The Hurt Syndicate members, which eventually led to Tony Khan announcing that Benjamin will make his AEW in-ring debut this week on the October 16, 2024, edition of Dynamite against Rush.
The Gold Standard has competed in several matches in the independent scene this year after WWE released him in 2023.
Given how excited fans undoubtedly are to watch the 49-year-old wrestle in an All Elite ring, one can argue that this week's Dynamite should allow Benjamin to shine in his performance against a worthy opponent like Rush instead of introducing Bobby Lashley to AEW programming without adequate build-up.
#1. AEW should build Swerve vs. Lashley for Full Gear 2024
Since arriving in the Jacksonville-based company, MVP and Shelton Benjamin have been targeting Swerve Strickland, attempting to recruit the Washington native within the ranks of The Hurt Syndicate by breaking him away from Prince Nana.
However, at WrestleDream 2024, The New Flavor emphatically declared his loyalty to his manager, and rejected The Hurt Syndicate's offer. This culminated in Strickland and Benjamin exchanging words and then shoves, though MVP, Nana, and officials would promptly break up the brawl.
On his way to the back, MVP ominously tapped on his watch, sending a message to Swerve, which has been read as the former teasing the debut of Bobby Lashley. However, prior to pitting The All Mighty against the former AEW World Champion, All Elite Wrestling should invest sufficient time to properly build up the rivalry.
To that end, the promotion could first book Strickland to go against and perhaps defeat Shelton Benjamin. Lashley could make his programming debut afterwards to confront or lay out Swerve, kickstarting a feud that would lead to Strickland vs. Lashley at Full Gear 2024.
It remains to be seen what All Elite Wrestling is planning for Bobby Lashley and whether we will see him this week on Dynamite.
