The Hurt Syndicate has established themselves as a formidable presence in AEW since their debut in October 2024, capturing the AEW Tag Team Championship from The Butcher and The Blade in January 2025. Despite their success, recent reports reveal backstage tensions surrounding the group. Wrestling insider JCUP2013 shared that MVP, a key figure in the faction, has caused friction among various talents, with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select noting that “Speedball” Mike Bailey is particularly displeased. Meanwhile, Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin remain determined not to drop the Tag Team titles to teams like Jetspeed. Although the exact reasons behind MVP’s issues with Bailey remain unclear, many in the locker room have brushed off these disputes as minor since morale has generally been positive.
Speculation has arisen over whether the removal of MJF from the Hurt Syndicate was influenced by these backstage conflicts. However, Sapp clarified that while MJF’s departure was expected to be longer, there was no direct animosity between him and the Hurt Syndicate, suggesting that other backstage problems were at play. Other rumors remain unconfirmed and were not addressed.
With Jetspeed seemingly off the table as challengers due to MVP’s reluctance for Lashley and Benjamin to lose the titles to Bailey and Kevin Knight, the door opens for other tag teams to rise. However, the Hurt Syndicate reportedly shows little interest in giving other teams opportunities. Fightful highlighted several creative ideas for the group, including a planned match with FTR in Texas on July 12 that never materialized, partly due to Will Ospreay’s injury and shifting storylines involving Christian Cage and others.
If neither FTR nor Jetspeed are viable challengers, which teams could feasibly take the titles? AEW sources suggest MVP favors Lashley and Benjamin losing to a younger team, possibly The Private Party or The Outrunners, but this is complicated by the Hurt Syndicate’s dominant victories over these teams. Strickland and Ospreay were also considered, but Ospreay’s injury halted those plans. Currently, there’s no indication that the Hurt Syndicate members are locked into long-term contracts since signing less than a year ago. The common locker room frustration lies in the faction’s dominance and friendly rapport with fans, which limits their challengers and challenges in the division.
Fan Take: This report sheds light on the backstage dynamics that could shape AEW’s tag team division in the near future. For fans, it’s crucial because how AEW manages these tensions and creative directions will impact the competitiveness and excitement of tag team wrestling, a vital element of the promotion’s appeal.
