Bobby Lashleys arrival in AEW has already sent shockwaves through the promotion, and his in-ring debut on the November 20 episode of AEW Dynamite was no exception. Reunited with MVP and Shelton Benjamin to form The Hurt Syndicate, Lashley has quickly made his presence felt. However, his ongoing feud with Swerve Strickland took center stage once again, turning his highly anticipated debut into a chaotic showdown.
Before Dynamite even went on the air, MVP teased a major surprise for fans at the Santander Arena in Reading, PA. It was soon revealed that Lashley would make his AEW in-ring debut in a 2-on-1 handicap match. But just as The Hurt Syndicate arrived at the venue, Swerve Strickland ambushed Lashley with a sneak attack, setting the tone for the night. Lashley and his crew searched for Swerve backstage but came up empty-handed.
Later in the show, Lashley stepped into the ring against local competitors Joe Keys and Cheeseburger. The match was a brutal showcase of Lashleys raw power, as he demolished both opponents with ease. Cheeseburger and Keys put up a spirited fight but were no match for Lashleys sheer strength. The former Almighty sealed the victory with a devastating spear and locked in the Hurt Lock on Joe Keys, forcing a tap-out to secure his first AEW win.
Lashleys celebration was short-lived, as Swerve Strickland made his presence known yet again. With Prince Nana by his side, Swerve launched a calculated attack, first taking out MVP at the entrance stage before sneaking into the ring to confront Lashley. A flurry of moves from Swerve left Lashley down on the mat, sending a clear message ahead of their upcoming one-on-one clash at AEW Full Gear.
The rivalry between Bobby Lashley and Swerve Strickland has been heating up ever since The Hurt Syndicate targeted Swerve, hoping to recruit him into their ranks. After weeks of back-and-forth tension, their showdown at Full Gear is shaping up to be one of the events most explosive encounters.
What did you think of Bobby Lashleys AEW debut? Can Swerve Strickland hold his ground against The Hurt Syndicate, or will Lashleys dominance continue at Full Gear? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
