MVP Convinced This Star, Who Beat Brock Lesnar, to Not Re-Sign with WWE and Join AEW

MVP persuaded Bobby Lashley not to renew his WWE contract, stating how he could join AEW to complete their story of The Hurt Syndicate.

Image Credit: WWE.

Did MVP persuade Bobby Lashley to join AEW after WWE dropped the ball on The Hurt Business? On September 11, 2025, the two-time US Champion appeared as a guest on the INSIGHT podcast and talked about making it “clear” that he no longer wants to be around “anymore.”

Porter continued about how he disliked someone from the management and how personal interests start to shift when certain people become authoritative figures.

However, he was not going to leave alone and even convinced Bobby Lashley not to re-sign with WWE and sign with AEW instead.

He said,

When management changes, some people are out, other people are in, and I knew it was time to go.

I wasn’t gonna re-sign.

I was in Bobby’s ear constantly, like don’t re-sign.

Shelton got released.

Don’t re-sign.

Let’s you, me, and Shelton get back together.

Let’s go to AEW.

I know we can go to AEW, and we can pick this thing back up.

He additionally stated in the interview how WWE shut down The Hurt Business without giving them an explanation.

Lashley and he begged Vince McMahon, but their creative differences around the faction led them to go their separate ways.

Initially, Bobby Lashley was paired with The Street Profits, but failed to resonate the same excitement from the fans.

MVP Criticizes Triple H’s Ability To Book Talents in WWE Properly

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Montel Vontavious Porter, popularly known by his in-ring name MVP, has often been vocal about the WWE management and their creative and managerial decisions.

He has often felt that his opportunities in the wrestling promotion brand have been limited, creating feelings of injustice.

But more importantly, how Triple H’s business strategies have made it more evident.

During an exclusive interview with BetIdeas, MVP explained that his perception of Paul Levesque changed because of his ability to book talent in the show.

He took the example of Bobby Lashley, who was demoted to a mid-card, which was insulting because he is a “bankable” and a “marketable” name.

He said,

Let’s just say this, Bobby Lashley was a two-time WWE Champion, and after he took over, Bobby Lashley was reduced to the mid-card.

Bobby Lashley is a bankable, marketable guy.

And two time WWE Champion just got reduced to mid card, whatever.

What I said, specifically in response to the person on my Instagram page, was that you see it.

It’s my opinion of how he chooses to book certain talents.

Though he clarified that he is not “crying” to get a push in the company, he urged the fans to make a note on the top names that were under his leadership.

Porter continued,

I have my opinions, based on my personal experiences.

And at some point on my podcast and my YouTube show, I’ll talk about it and I’ll go in depth about what my issues are with that man.

The two-time US Champion continued that the tension between him and The CCO is present not because of racial discrimination but because of how he sees him as a “person” and their “personal interactions.” Consequently, this made him have “zero respect” for ‘The Cerebral Assassin.’

AEW Over WWE: MVP Makes His Stance Clear

Over the years, AEW has grown significantly, with many top talents from WWE heading there in hopes of reviving their pro-wrestling careers.

As a result, World Wrestling Entertainment had to find creative ways to limit its growth.

However, their rise in popularity can’t be contained, as MVP explains how Tony Khan “sees” the value in his roster.

The Hurt Syndicate | AEW.

In the same interview with the INSIGHT podcast with Chris Van Vliet, the 2-time US Champion expresses his gratitude towards Tony Khan for giving them an invaluable “opportunity” by allowing The Hurt Syndicate to move forward in All Elite Wrestling and letting them conclude their story on their terms.

He said,

I love being able to pay it forward because people gave it to me.

So thank you to Tony Khan for seeing something in us and believing in us and giving us an opportunity to end The Hurt Syndicate in AEW and for us to finish telling our story.

Porter stated that the internet can be misleading, as many young talents come to them seeking “advice” and some “insight” from their matches to help them grow as wrestlers, and he is happy to do that.

Do you think WWE’s management and limited ideas for creative decisions have made its talent look for other options? Let us know in the comments below!