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AEW presented its second annual WrestleDream event on Saturday. Bobby Lashley has been rumored to debut in the Jacksonville-based promotion, but that did not happen at the pay-per-view. However, backstage sources have revealed new details on major happenings in the works for Lashley.
The All Mighty and MVP left WWE in mid-August when their contracts expired. MVP debuted at AEW Grand Slam, offering to replace Prince Nana as Swerve Strickland's manager. Shelton Benjamin debuted as MVP's associate the following week at Dynamite's Fifth Anniversary show. The Hurt Syndicate duo then interrupted Swerve's WrestleDream hometown comeback.
The Realest teased dropping Nana for MVP but said he'd never turn on family before disrespectfully denying Porter. Benjamin warned Strickland as MVP held him back, and referees stopped Swerve. This was where many believed Lashley would debut, but the moment never came.
Lashley's debut speculation continued to pick up after the WrestleDream pay-per-view. However, backstage sources have now revealed to Fightful Select that AEW has Lashley under contract, and the veteran has inked his deal.
The All Mighty will appear on AEW programming in the coming weeks. As expected, the former WWE Champion will be aligned with MVP and Shelton as The Hurt Syndicate. Lashley has not been backstage for any recent All Elite events, including WrestleDream, but was considered for the pay-per-view at one point.
AEW officials reportedly discussed a WrestleDream debut for Lashley, but the idea was nixed. When a source was asked why he didn't debut, it was noted that going in this direction would have resulted in Lashley's debut consisting of Swerve being laid out or attacked, and it was not likely two hometown beat-downs would have worked out well.
This was a reference to the WrestleDream ending with Swerve's fellow Washingtonian Bryan Danielson getting destroyed by new World Champion Jon Moxley and his crew.
New champions crowned at AEW WrestleDream
All Elite Wrestling presented its second annual WrestleDream PPV on Saturday at the Tacoma Dome in Washington. The 12-match card featured seven championship bouts.
The Zero Hour pre-show opened with Brian Cage beginning his first ROH World Television Championship reign by defeating Atlantis Jr. Cage needed just eleven minutes to end Atlantis' first reign at 106 days.
Konosuke Takeshita dethroned Will Ospreay of the International Championship in a 21-minute Triple Threat match that included Ricochet. The Don Callis Family's interference allowed Takeshita to pin Ospreay. Jon Moxley dethroned Bryan Danielson of the World Championship in the 27-minute main event. Per the stipulation, Danielson can no longer compete full-time.
WrestleDream also saw four championship matches with no title changes. Women's World Champion Mariah May retained over Willow Nightingale, TNT Champion Jack Perry overcame Katsuyori Shibata, World Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks defeated Private Party, and ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe retained over Chris Jericho.
