The ongoing tensions between AEW and WWE resurfaced recently as an AEW star openly criticized the handling of the Brock Lesnar vs Kofi Kingston match, a moment that has remained controversial among wrestling fans. This critique focuses on the swiftness and outcome of the title change, especially given the high expectations surrounding Kofi Kingston’s championship reign, and highlights ongoing frustrations about WWE’s booking decisions within the wrestling industry.
MVP Calls Out WWE for Kofi Kingston’s Short-Lived Championship Reign
Kofi Kingston reached a major milestone in April 2019 by capturing the WWE Championship, marking the peak of the fan-driven Kofimania movement and fulfilling a long-awaited moment for supporters. However, his time at the top abruptly ended when Brock Lesnar defeated him in just seven seconds during an October SmackDown episode. This controversial moment ignited strong backlash from fans, but WWE Chairman Vince McMahon pressed forward, with Kingston quickly returning to tag team action rather than remaining in the singles spotlight.
During an appearance on the Marking Out podcast alongside co-host Dwayne Swayze, AEW’s MVP voiced his strong disapproval regarding the way Kingston lost the championship and the overall approach by WWE:
“It would seem that, to me, I thought that was just stupid killing Kofi off. I don’t know, I could be completely wrong, I feel there was some measure of disingenuousness with that. I can’t say exactly why. I thought there was no need to do that to Kofi. I thought that was ridiculous. A lot of people felt that way,”
said MVP. —MVP, Marking Out podcast
MVP Shares Additional Frustrations With WWE Leadership
MVP has been candid in sharing his perspectives on WWE management, making clear that his dissatisfaction does not end with Vince McMahon. In recent comments, he also questioned the decisions made by Triple H, now serving as WWE’s Chief Content Officer.
In an interview with BetIdeas, MVP addressed the booking of Bobby Lashley under Triple H’s leadership, expressing disappointment at how a top-tier talent was utilized after a change in creative direction:
“After he [Triple H] took over, Bobby Lashley was reduced to the mid-card. Bobby Lashley is a bankable, marketable guy. And a two-time WWE Champion just got reduced to mid-card, whatever,”
he said. —MVP, BetIdeas interview
Since departing WWE, MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin have found renewed momentum as a unit in AEW. Their transition suggests greater creative satisfaction under Tony Khan’s leadership, yet questions remain about how consistently the trio can sustain top status in the competitive AEW environment.
The Fallout and Ongoing Implications for Wrestling Promotions
The AEW star’s outspoken remarks about the Brock Lesnar vs Kofi Kingston match highlight persistent unrest over how major talents are sometimes managed in WWE. As discussions around these booking choices continue, the comments from MVP reflect the broader sentiment held by many fans and performers, particularly regarding the long-term impact on superstars like Kofi Kingston and Bobby Lashley.
With MVP, Lashley, and Benjamin now navigating the AEW landscape with Tony Khan at the helm, their journey will be watched closely by both AEW and WWE audiences. Whether their success in AEW signals a shift in how former WWE talents are utilized—or impacts booking philosophies on either side—remains to be seen as the rivalry and scrutiny between the companies intensifies.
