Shelton Benjamin has made a strong showing since arriving in AEW. The two sides talked in March, but nothing materialized at the time.
WWE released Benjamin in September 2023. He joined the promotion earlier this month alongside MVP. Bobby Lashley is expected to follow.
Shelton made his in-ring debut against Lio Rush on last week’s episode of AEW Dynamite with glowing reviews. This week on Dynamite, he will battle the returning Sammy Guevara.
Speaking to Gabby LaSpisa on Gabby AF, Benjamin addressed his AEW debut and the decision to sign with the company.
“I did have a few offers. MLW was very interested. I was, obviously, doing a lot of international things and exploring other options, in and out of pro wrestling. Acting is one of them or is one of them. Even things like real estate and things not related to wrestling. It basically boiled down to, no matter what, I like to put myself in the best possible position to succeed. But when the door closed at WWE, I really thought long and hard about where I wanted to go. Impact was a very tempting place to go. But what it boils down to is, I want the biggest possible audience. Outside of WWE, there is nowhere bigger than AEW. I don’t have as much time as lot of guys, as far as in-ring. Not that I’m going to retire anytime soon, but for the time I have left, I want to reach the biggest possible audience. What better place than AEW? There is no better place.”
