WWE’s MVP hasn’t been shy about expressing his frustration over the dissolution of The Hurt Business. As the manager of Bobby Lashley, MVP helped form the faction in 2020 on “WWE Raw” with the additions of Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander, who had just turned heel. Together, they dominated briefly: Lashley as the United States Champion, and Alexander and Benjamin as “Raw” Tag Team Champions.
However, the group began to splinter not long after Lashley captured the WWE Championship in 2021. He ousted Benjamin and Alexander from the faction, proceeding with MVP as his manager through several teased reunions that never quite materialized. Eventually, MVP and Lashley also parted ways, with MVP aligning himself with Omos instead.
Recently, MVP took to Instagram to reminisce about The Hurt Business, responding to fan comments calling for a reunion and questioning where it all went wrong. When a fan suggested continuing the brand with Lashley and The Street Profits, MVP’s response was firm: “ABSOLUTELY not!” He elaborated further, “If it ain’t the original, it ain’t with me.”
MVP also addressed the notion that Vince McMahon was responsible for ending the faction, pointing out that WWE CCO Triple H could have reunited the group when he took over creative. “And his son-in-law never put it back together,” MVP remarked, referring to Triple H. He added that any “lackluster reunions” in the years since were not his doing. MVP indicated that the idea to reunite The Hurt Business was pitched to Triple H but was rejected, mentioning specifically that he wanted Benjamin re-signed, but the current regime was uninterested.
MVP Implies Racial Motives Behind The Hurt Business’ Demise
The most controversial aspect of MVP’s comments came when he implied that racial motives might have played a role in the decision to disband The Hurt Business. One comment referenced an infamous promo exchange between Triple H and Booker T in the 2000s, where Triple H suggested that people like Booker T don’t become champions and are only there to entertain. Whether or not this was intended to be racist has been debated, but many saw the promo as an allusion to minstrelsy. MVP agreed with this interpretation, responding, “You see it,” when a user commented that “The Triple H era is emasculating black men.”
The Hurt Business debuted on “Raw” just months before Roman Reigns’ return as the “Tribal Chief” in 2020, with Reigns’ Bloodline gaining momentum as Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso joined him by 2021. The Bloodline went on to become WWE’s premier stable, and MVP suggested that The Hurt Business gimmick might have been co-opted for the Samoan dynasty.
Among the comments was one from fellow WWE veteran Batista, who wrote, “They left a lot of money on the table with that one. Color me confused.” MVP responded, “And we were never given an explanation for why.” MVP has been less visible on WWE TV along with Omos, as opposed to his prominence under Vince McMahon’s regime. During his absence, MVP has been vocal about his creative pitches for The Hurt Business, recently revealing that he originally wanted Ricochet to join the group alongside Alexander.
Stephen’s Insight
The frustration and disappointment expressed by MVP highlight a significant and ongoing issue within the wrestling community. His comments not only reflect his personal feelings but also tap into broader conversations about representation and fairness in professional wrestling. The Hurt Business was more than just a faction; it was a symbol of excellence and unity that resonated with many fans, making its abrupt end all the more perplexing and, for some, infuriating. The allegations of racial bias, whether substantiated or not, add a complex layer to the narrative, prompting a deeper examination of the decisions made behind the scenes.
