Shelton Benjamin comments on his plans for the future as his free agency continues.
WWE released veteran Shelton Benjamin in a wave of cuts in September 2023. He has started to take bookings on the independent scene, and he has often been linked to AEW. As previously reported, he has had talks with the company.
Speaking with Simon Miller for WhatCulture Wrestling, Shelton Benjamin was asked to comment on his immediate plans for the future.
“Honestly, my immediate plan is just to kind of coast a bit and see what’s out there, see what life has to offer,” Shelton Benjamin said. “For seven years, I was with WWE, and I had a ten-year run with them before that. So for now, I’m not in any rush. I’m keeping my options open. I can’t say anybody is more of a frontrunner than anything.
“But I definitely want you to come back to the UK. Matter of fact, next week, I’m going to Australia, where I’m gonna be involved in an event out there. That’s awesome, and I’m desperate to get back to Japan. I really, really want to go back to Japan.”
Shelton Benjamin On Wrestlers Having More Options
Shelton Benjamin was then asked whether he was excited about having more options in the wrestling world now. He noted that he was, as great talent can’t all shine in the same place.
“Yeah, I’m excited about the fact that there are more options because obviously, with all the great talent out there, we all can’t shine in the same place, so it’s nice to have an AEW, a Ring of Honor, a TNA, a New Japan,” Shelton Benjamin said. “I personally want to work for all of them because I want to see all these companies succeed because again, I’m a wrestling fan first. I’m known for WWE, but I’m a fan of pro wrestling in general.
“When I grew up, I watched everything. Even if I didn’t know what the company was, I watched it because it’s pro wrestling. I’m a fan, so I think it’s awesome now that we definitely have a lot more viable options to actually go and have a great career and have a great time, and yeah, I’m here for it. I think it’s just going to grow from here.”
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