Bobby Lashley’s AEW chapter is still being written, and if his comments are any indication, it may soon include a familiar face
Whether as allies, rivals, or something in between, a reunion with Lio Rush would add a compelling layer to Lashley’s ongoing evolution in the wrestling world.
In a business where “never say never” is more a rule than an exception, the prospect of Lashley and Rush crossing paths once again feels not just possible — but inevitable.
It didn’t ruin his character or compromise his mystique—instead, it humanized him in a way that fans will remember.
In a world where promos are often rigid and personalities carefully constructed, an unexpected laugh can be a breath of fresh air.
Lashley’s smile was a simple, authentic response to a well-timed joke—and sometimes, that’s all it takes to create a viral moment.
Also Read: Exploring Bobby Lashley’s Unseen Family Bonds with His Brothers and Sisters
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Bobby Lashley Opens the Door for AEW Reunion
In the ever-evolving landscape of professional wrestling, surprise alliances and long-awaited reunions fuel fan excitement.1
One such possibility has stirred interest after Bobby Lashley recently hinted at a potential reunion with a former WWE ally, Lio Rush, during an interview with WFAA.
Currently one-half of the AEW World Tag Team Champions, Lashley is thriving in his AEW run, leading a dominant faction known as the Hurt Syndicate.
However, the door may not be closed on past alliances — especially the one that helped reintroduce Lashley to a new generation of fans in WWE.
What’s up everybody! I’m excited for the amazing card on UFC 317 this
weekend. Get in on the action with my partners @draftkings. Download the@dksportsbook app now! #DKPartner pic.twitter.com/yNmEphu1yB— Bobby Lashley (@fightbobby) June 28, 2025
AEW’s Opportunity to Honor the Past
AEW has built its reputation by honoring wrestling history while pushing the industry forward.
From Sting’s farewell tour to showcasing legends like Christian Cage and Jeff Jarrett, AEW knows how to balance nostalgia with innovation.
Bringing Lashley and Rush back together — even briefly — would be another way for AEW to tap into the emotional investment fans have in long-term storytelling. It’s a chance to revisit a pairing that never got its full due in WWE and explore what could have been.
AEW’s Stacked Roster: Timing Is Everything
With AEW’s loaded roster, timing is crucial for any reunion or storyline. The company often rotates talent on and off TV due to limited weekly hours. However, fan demand and backstage chemistry often dictate creative direction.
A Lashley–Rush storyline wouldn’t need a long build to captivate viewers. Even a brief interaction or teaser segment could generate buzz and trend across wrestling social media — especially given their history and unique dynamic.
Bobby Lashley’s Evolving Legacy
From WWE to AEW
Bobby Lashley’s wrestling journey spans decades and promotions. After an impressive run in WWE, which included reigns as Intercontinental Champion, United States Champion, and WWE Champion, Lashley transitioned to AEW in 2024.2
His arrival added instant star power to Tony Khan’s roster, and his presence helped shape a new era in AEW’s tag team division.
In AEW, Lashley hasn’t come alone. He’s brought with him key allies from his WWE days — MVP and Shelton Benjamin — forming a rebranded stable called the Hurt Syndicate.
The group has grown to include AEW homegrown star MJF, adding both prestige and unpredictability to the stable.
The Hurt Business to Hurt Syndicate: A Legacy Reimagined
Lashley, MVP, and Shelton Benjamin were once the core of WWE’s “Hurt Business,” a faction formed during the pandemic era that quickly became a fan favorite.
The group was praised for its chemistry, character work, and strong in-ring performances. Fans were dismayed when WWE disbanded the Hurt Business prematurely, viewing it as a missed opportunity to capitalize on a red-hot act.
In AEW, the trio found new life. Lashley and MVP reunited with Benjamin and brought a fresh identity to their group — now called the Hurt Syndicate.
The inclusion of MJF was surprising, but effective, blending Lashley’s brute strength with MJF’s cunning charisma.
This new faction has become a powerhouse in AEW, dominating weekly programming and shaping title storylines.
The Forgotten Architect of Lashley’s WWE Reinvention
Before there was a Hurt Business, there was Lio Rush.
When Bobby Lashley returned to WWE in 2018, his initial babyface run lacked momentum. That changed when Lio Rush joined as his hypeman and manager.
With a microphone in hand and endless energy at ringside, Rush added flair to Lashley’s persona. His catchphrases — like referring to Lashley as “The All Mighty” — quickly caught on with fans.
Though their partnership lasted just under a year, it helped reposition Lashley as a heel and laid the foundation for his later success. The chemistry between Lashley and Rush felt natural, and many believed their act ended too soon.
Bobby Lashley Reflects: “We’re Definitely Gonna Do Something”
During a candid conversation with WFAA, Lashley addressed the idea of reuniting with Lio Rush in AEW.3
“Am I gonna do something with Lio? I don’t know. I really don’t know,” Lashley said. “I’m sure down the road, if I spend some time with AEW, we are definitely gonna cross paths.”
While Lashley stopped short of confirming anything concrete, his tone suggested that he’s open to the idea. He acknowledged that Rush is currently in a tag team, which might explain the lack of interaction so far, but added: “I think we’re definitely gonna do something while I’m here in AEW for sure.”
For fans of their WWE pairing, this was enough to rekindle hopes of a reunion.
Lio Rush’s AEW Journey: A Rollercoaster of Returns
Lio Rush has had a turbulent relationship with AEW. After short-lived runs due to injuries and personal decisions, he returned to AEW in 2024 with renewed purpose.
Now a full-time competitor, Rush has impressed fans with his fast-paced in-ring style and has formed a respected tag team within the company.
Despite his ups and downs, Rush’s talent has never been in doubt. His ability to blend high-flying athleticism with verbal charisma makes him a unique performer — and one who could bring added value to any storyline with Lashley.
Creative Possibilities: How a Lashley–Rush Reunion Could Unfold
If AEW chooses to explore a Lashley–Rush reunion or rivalry, the creative opportunities are vast.
Here are a few potential directions:
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Managerial Reunion: Rush could return to Lashley’s side as a manager, rekindling their original WWE dynamic. This pairing could dominate the AEW tag division or even venture into a run at the AEW World Championship.
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In-Ring Tag Team: With Rush more active as a wrestler, the two could form a hybrid power-speed team — reminiscent of teams like Shawn Michaels & Diesel or Rey Mysterio & Batista.
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Faction Conflict: Rush could form his own faction or join a rival stable, setting up a storyline clash with the Hurt Syndicate. The narrative could touch on their shared past and unresolved tensions.
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Mentorship Arc: Lashley could take on a veteran mentor role to a solo Rush, helping elevate him into AEW’s mid-card or main event scene — similar to what Christian Cage has done for younger stars.
Fan Reactions: A Reunion Worth Watching
Online forums and social media erupted after Lashley’s interview made the rounds. Fans expressed excitement about a potential reunion, praising the original WWE pairing and calling it “underrated” and “ahead of its time.”
Many believe that AEW’s more flexible creative environment could allow Lashley and Rush to take their partnership to new heights.
Without the constraints of WWE scripting, the duo could explore deeper emotional storytelling and more creative promos.
Also Read: Bobby Lashley’s Reaction to MJF’s 3-Word Message After Shocking Alliance Reveal
Bobby Lashley and the Hurt Syndicate
Lashley’s presence in AEW as the head of the Hurt Syndicate has been met with enthusiasm from fans who followed his dominant WWE run.
The faction, a spiritual continuation of WWE’s Hurt Business, is built on intimidation, control, and brute strength.
Lashley, alongside fellow bruisers like Powerhouse Hobbs and potentially others, brings an old-school, no-nonsense vibe to AEW programming.
What makes Lashley’s recent smile so surprising is that his character rarely—if ever—breaks. Even in the face of trash talk or comedic jabs from other wrestlers, Lashley maintains his cool, silently letting his physical dominance do the talking. This consistency has elevated him as a legitimate threat and figure of respect across the wrestling world.
So to see Lashley laugh—genuinely and unexpectedly—was a moment of human vulnerability that stood out starkly against his normally steel exterior.
Why This Moment Resonated With Fans
In the world of professional wrestling, “breaking character” is a sacred and risky thing. Kayfabe—the practice of maintaining character in and out of the ring—has become looser in the modern era, but there’s still something thrilling about seeing a character slip, even momentarily.
It reminds fans that underneath the layers of gimmicks, rivalries, and scripted lines, these are real people who can still be caught off guard.
Lashley’s smile was brief, but it was real. Fans noticed. Clips of the moment quickly circulated online, with social media users laughing about Lashley “losing it” thanks to Briscoe’s offbeat humor.
In a business that often leans into heavy drama and intense promos, a lighthearted moment like this adds texture and authenticity to the product.
Bobby Lashley: MJF’s Reputation as a Lightning Rod for Controversy
Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) has made a career out of saying the unsayable. As AEW’s provocateur-in-chief, MJF thrives on pushing buttons, drawing heat, and living dangerously on the microphone.
Whether he’s insulting fans, taking personal jabs at other wrestlers, or walking the tightrope between edgy and offensive, MJF is always toeing the line.
So it’s not surprising that a joke involving MJF would lead to a character break from someone else. What is surprising is that it happened to Bobby Lashley.
MJF’s mere presence in a promo segment often encourages others to elevate their performance, and in this case, Mark Briscoe went the comedic route with surgical precision.
While MJF himself remained composed, the damage was done — not to his character, but to Lashley’s carefully constructed wall of intensity.
AEW Dynamite: A Show Full of Unscripted Energy
AEW Dynamite has carved out a unique identity in the world of pro wrestling. Unlike WWE, which often leans into rigid scripts and production-heavy promos, AEW allows for more spontaneity and creative freedom.
That atmosphere often results in moments that feel raw, real, and occasionally chaotic.
The June 25 episode was a perfect example of this. While the show featured typical match-ups, storyline progression, and drama, it also gave room for personality to shine.
Briscoe’s joke wasn’t necessarily planned for Lashley to laugh—but that’s the beauty of AEW’s live format. It allows for genuine interactions, which can end up being just as memorable as any title change or betrayal.
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Breaking Character: A Double-Edged Sword in Wrestling
While fans often enjoy seeing wrestlers break character, the practice isn’t without its risks. In some cases, it can undercut a storyline or weaken a character’s perceived strength.
For Lashley, a man whose entire gimmick is based around dominance and intimidation, smiling at a joke—especially a crude one—could be seen as undermining that aura.
However, in this case, it worked in Lashley’s favor. Rather than appearing weak, he appeared human. Fans are more connected to superstars who occasionally show a crack in the armor. As long as it doesn’t become a habit, moments like these only add depth to a performer’s image.
The Locker Room Response and Backstage Vibes
According to backstage reports, Lashley’s moment of laughter didn’t draw any negative feedback from AEW management. On the contrary, it was viewed as a refreshing and organic reaction.
Several AEW talents reportedly joked with Lashley about it afterward, with some surprised he didn’t break sooner.
In a locker room full of intense competitors, moments like these break the monotony and remind everyone of the fun side of the business.
With Tony Khan allowing a more relaxed environment than WWE’s historically stricter backstage culture, these unscripted beats are becoming part of AEW’s charm.
Also Read: Where is Bobby Lashley Now? Exploring His Mysterious Absence
