Former WWE champion; future protege? - 5 names who could join The Hurt Syndicate in AEW

Ever since MVP made his AEW debut on Dynamite Grand Slam 2024, anticipation began to build over the rumored reunion of The Hurt Business in the Tony Khan-led promotion. The speculations gained power after Shelton Benjamin was revealed as The Franchise Playa's "business associate" on the Five Year Anniversary of the Wednesday night show in October.

The duo attempted to enlist former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland as an ally, but the latter refused, which eventually led to a singles bout in which the former AEW World Champion defeated The Gold Standard. However, immediately afterward, Swerve would be confronted and laid out by a debuting Bobby Lashley, whom he is now scheduled to face at Full Gear 2024.

The former WWE Superstars also invited other All Elite talent to join their ranks over the past couple of weeks. Though the group already possesses ample star power, it could benefit, and in turn benefit from, the addition of certain such members of the Jacksonville-based promotion's roster.

Let us consider five such names.

#1: Bobby Lashley's former ally, Lio Rush

During Bobby Lashley's last tenure in WWE, The All Mighty had been briefly paired with Lio Rush, with the latter serving as his manager and occasional tag partner. The Man of The Hour did not take kindly to being undermined by MVP and Shelton Benjamin shortly after their AEW debut, which led to Rush losing to Benjamin in the latter's in-ring debut in the company, after which MVP left him his business card.

Rush has been considering a change of ways on recent All Elite programming, and seemingly voiced his willingness to link up with Lashley and The Hurt Syndicate last week on Collision. He also used the opportunity to call out Swerve Strickland for a match on Dynamite this Wednesday. Seeing how fondly The Destroyer spoke of Rush recently, and considering their past alliance, there is a decent chance that The Blackheart will reunite with the former WWE Champion, potentially after taking a loss to Swerve.

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#2: Former AEW TNT Champion Powerhouse Hobbs

Another former WWE name who debuted in All Elite Wrestling this year is Ricochet, who has also had a history with The Hurt Syndicate from their stint in the sports entertainment juggernaut. The One and Only was approached by MVP in AEW recently but has refused to do business with the latter's faction, opting to showcase himself as a singles performer instead.

Notably, Ricochet recently teamed up with a returning Powerhouse Hobbs, who has been singled out by fans as well as industry experts to be an easy fit for The Hurt Syndicate. Seeing how the stable seems intent on making examples out of people who turn them down, MVP and company could approach The Embodiment of Willpower to betray and take out the decorated high-flyer and join forces with them.

Working with veterans like Porter, Benjamin, and Lashley would undoubtedly elevate the former TNT Champion's stock in AEW as a dominant heel.

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#3: Anthony Bowens of The Acclaimed

Last month on Dynamite, The Hurt Syndicate accosted The Acclaimed backstage, with MVP asking the duo if they were prepared to become serious, and handing them his card. Although Anthony Bowens seemingly rejected the faction's offer, Max Caster was seen tucking the card in his pocket. Since then, AEW has evidently teased dissension among the former World Tag Team Champions over their willingness to collaborate with The Hurt Syndicate.

Although all signs seemingly are pointing at Caster potentially turning on Bowens, the latter's contentious history with Shelton Benjamin could lead to the star being the one to break up The Acclaimed and associate himself with The Ballin' Superstar and his stable.

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#4: AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Mone

Mercedes Mone is currently under the crosshairs of Kris Statlander, who looks to regain her TBS Championship from the former Sasha Banks at Full Gear 2024. The CEO has been unable to derail Statlander's momentum over the past couple of weeks, as the latter defeated her henchwoman Kamille on Fright Night Dynamite, and then narrowly dodged a more serious attack backstage on November 6.

The Boss has of late been increasingly more hostile towards The Brickhouse for her perceived failures on AEW television. Mone could thus look to introduce changes to her staff by severing ties with Kamille and joining The Hurt Syndicate, possibly leading to the later addition of other female recruits to the faction.

Notably, MVP had handed the former Smackdown Women's Champion his business card on the fifth anniversary episode of Dynamite.

#5: Prince Nana betrays Swerve Strickland to join The Hurt Syndicate

The Hurt Syndicate has been targeting Prince Nana since the very first day of the stable's arrival in All Elite Wrestling. During his debut on Grand Slam 2024, MVP criticized the former Moghul Embassy member for being an inadequate manager to Swerve Strickland.

Porter also helped his teammates Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin incapacitate The Realest as well as Nana on Fright Night Dynamite.

Prince Nana is Swerve Strickland's current manager [Source: Swerve's X/Twitter]

The Syndicate's rivalry with Nana has even spilled outside of All Elite Wrestling lately, seemingly suggesting that the two sides will remain at odds indefinitely.

However, the promotion could instead potentially pull off a major swerve by having the 45-year-old stun fans by betraying Strickland and joining The Hurt Syndicate. Such a move would draw a lot of heat on the stable, and sympathy for Swerve in the course of his feud with Lashley and his faction-mates.