Roman Reigns became a central part of WWE’s top storyline in 2020 with the formation of The Bloodline, but what could have been a legendary feud never came to fruition. According to Bobby Lashley, a former member of The Hurt Business, the group would have loved to have clashed with Reigns’ group. In an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Lashley expressed his desire to have seen his faction go up against Reigns’ group, believing that the two groups were a perfect match.
Lashley joined forces with Cedric Alexander, MVP, and Shelton Benjamin on Raw in 2020, forming The Hurt Business. The group had a successful run before disbanding in 2021, only to re-form in 2022. During their time together, The Hurt Business proved to be a popular faction, with fans embracing their authentic presentation. In the interview, Lashley attributed their success to the fact that they genuinely believed in each other, which translated to the audience. He noted that it’s rare to see a group that’s genuine and not just pretending to be friends.
As for what could have been, Lashley stated that he thinks The Bloodline and The Hurt Business could have made for a great feud. He pointed out that the two groups were a perfect match, with him and Roman Reigns facing off at every level, and The Usos and Shelton/Benjamin forming a similar dynamic. Additionally, the presence of Paul Heyman and MVP would have added an extra layer of depth to the feud. The two stables never did face off, however, with the only match between Lashley and Reigns coming in a triple-threat match with Big E in 2021. That contest didn’t lead to a rivalry between the two groups.
Despite not facing off as feuding groups, Lashley and The Hurt Business gained a strong following despite being heels, and their reunion as The Hurt Syndicate in AEW has been well-received. The authenticity of their presentation and the chemistry among the members were key factors in their popularity. In a surprising revelation, Lashley also shared his thoughts on Vince McMahon’s reaction to The Hurt Business’s unpopular sisters storyline in 2018. While details of McMahon’s reaction were not disclosed, it’s clear that the storyline was not well-received.
In the end, fans can only wonder what could have been. A legendary feud between The Bloodline and The Hurt Business would have been a treat to watch, but unfortunately, it never came to fruition. The two groups had the potential to create a legendary storyline, and it’s a shame that it never happened.
