Bobby Lashley AEW return stands to dramatically impact the company’s landscape when it happens, with new creative opportunities emerging after his recent absence. Lashley, a decorated veteran in professional wrestling, could steer major shifts in All Elite Wrestling’s divisions upon his comeback.
Lashley’s Journey in AEW and Recent Setbacks
All Elite Wrestling’s roster is filled with experienced competitors and promising newcomers, but the arrival of Bobby Lashley in late 2024 added even more prestige. Lashley, disillusioned with his WWE run, left the Stamford-based organization and joined forces with MVP and Shelton Benjamin in Jacksonville to revive their classic group, now operating as the Hurt Syndicate. The group quickly found success, with Lashley and Benjamin winning the AEW World Tag Team Titles in January 2025 and maintaining their championship reign for more than 200 days.
After dominating the tag team scene, AEW began positioning Lashley for a significant singles run, recognizing his years of excellence as an individual competitor. However, following his high-profile injury during the Casino Gauntlet Match at Full Gear 2025, which had been set to crown the inaugural National Champion, Lashley was sidelined, creating an opening for the company to rethink his storyline upon recovery.
Making Lashley a Long-Term Singles Powerhouse
Lashley’s performance at Full Gear 2025 reaffirmed his talent in singles competition, despite losing the Casino Gauntlet Match and sustaining an injury. AEW now has an opportunity to double down on Lashley as a dominant singles star once he is cleared to compete again. Given the ongoing feud between the Hurt Syndicate and the Demand—featuring Ricochet and Gates of Agony—a returning Lashley could immediately be thrust into the National Championship picture, reigniting faction rivalries and positioning himself as a central figure in AEW’s title scene.
Such a direction would allow Lashley to reassert his status by first targeting mid-card championships, then progressively building towards a world title run. His established reputation and past success as a singles competitor make him a natural contender for the promotion’s top prizes.
The Tag Team Route: Keeping Factions Relevant
Another possibility for Lashley’s reintroduction involves leveraging the existing chemistry alongside his Hurt Syndicate allies, specifically MVP and Shelton Benjamin. Since Lashley’s injury at Full Gear, these faction mates have also been absent from AEW programming, with no clear explanation from the promotion regarding their status. The absence of distinct storylines for each member suggests that keeping them together, at least temporarily, would ensure that no top talent is neglected.
When Lashley returns, AEW might restore the tag team dominance of Lashley and Benjamin, potentially aiming to reclaim the tag titles. Alternatively, the Hurt Syndicate could focus on securing the Trios Titles, allowing all faction members to remain prominent while the creative direction for each develops further. This strategy would help sustain the faction’s momentum and maintain their presence as a cohesive threat within AEW.
A Shock Turn: Lashley Betrays Benjamin
As the Hurt Syndicate has evolved from formidable villains to beloved fan favorites in AEW over the past year, the time may be ripe for a major shakeup. A dramatic twist could see Lashley, historically more successful as a heel, turn against Shelton Benjamin to dissolve the faction. This move would serve as a catalyst for his return to singles prominence, with Lashley bitterly claiming that Benjamin’s influence has kept him from achieving the ultimate goal—capturing the AEW World Championship. Such a betrayal would resonate emotionally with fans and inject unpredictable energy into the ongoing storylines.
The Broader Impact of Lashley’s Return on AEW
Bobby Lashley’s comeback offers AEW multiple avenues to energize its programming, whether through solo pursuits, renewed tag team competition, or a storyline-altering betrayal. His established legacy ensures that any direction he takes will carry weight within the promotion. The choices made upon Lashley’s return could shape future rivalries, reinforce faction wars, and keep fans invested as AEW navigates its evolving roster landscape. Whatever path is chosen, the anticipation surrounding the Bobby Lashley AEW return is set to heighten excitement and unpredictability for both long-time followers and new viewers alike.
Bobby Lashley is legitimately injured.
It was said he's going to miss quite a bit of time.
– @FightfulSelect pic.twitter.com/OHfFvx773o
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) December 14, 2025
