MVP is reportedly dealing with backstage heat in AEW due to his role with The Hurt Syndicate.
According to Fightful (via Fightful Select), several wrestlers have said MVP has upset people behind the scenes. The Fightful report confirmed some details initially shared in a Twitter Space by The Wrestling Binder’s JCup2013. It doesn’t appear that there’s a direct issue with Bobby Lashley or Shelton Benjamin. Many backstage sources claim MVP openly dislikes “Speedball” Mike Bailey and didn’t want The Hurt Syndicate to lose the AEW World Tag Team Titles to JetSpeed.
While there were no plans for them to lose the titles to JetSpeed, creative ideas involving the group have been pitched, including a possible FTR redemption storyline starting at AEW All In: Texas. MVP reportedly rejected matches against FTR at both All In and Forbidden Door.
He preferred the group to lose to younger teams like The Outrunners, Gates of Agony, or Private Party instead. But since The Hurt Syndicate had already beaten all those teams, many people backstage didn’t take the suggestion. The faction was willing to lose to Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay, but that plan didn’t go anywhere due to Ospreay’s neck injury.
Several backstage believe The Hurt Syndicate comes off more like fan favorites, “heels that do cool moves, beat up everyone, and give fans fives on the way out.” The faction was recently involved in a storyline with MJF. It was hinted that it was meant to continue for longer than it did. However, the report mentions there’s no real tension between them.
Despite the reported backstage heat, The Hurt Syndicate isn’t expected to leave AEW anytime soon. Many people backstage have downplayed the rumors, saying the overall mood has been positive. In fact, several sources have called 2025 one of the best years for locker room morale in a long time.
Update: MVP, Speedball, Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley have responded to the report about their rumored friction:
Read More: MVP Reveals When He Told Bobby Lashley Not To Re-Sign With WWE
