Cedric Alexander recently addressed the speculation behind his decision to go to AEW after his WWE departure. While many fans anticipated a reunion with Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and MVP in AEW’s The Hurt Syndicate, Alexander opted to head in a different direction. Speaking on Busted Open, Alexander noted that while he remains close with the members of the group, he felt it was necessary to establish his own identity outside of the faction that brought him significant success in WWE as The Hurt Business.
Alexander stated that he wanted his current career choices to be seen as his own individual decisions rather than simply a continuation of his past work.
Alexander Joins The System In TNA Wrestling
The former Cruiserweight Champion has since transitioned to TNA Wrestling. During the January 22, 2026, edition of TNA Impact!, Alexander aligned himself with The System. After defeating Moose in the opening contest, Alexander returned later in the night with a steel chair, appearing to aid Moose and JDC against Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers. Instead, Alexander leveled Moose with the chair, joining Edwards, Myers, and Bear Bronson as the newest member of the heel faction.
“Bobby [Lashley], Shelton [Benjamin], MVP, they’re all legit close friends of mine. So I was very happy for them that they got to bring the group back and finish their story, their careers the way they wanted to. But I was also like, ‘Man, what about me? I was a part of that group, too. I helped make that group what it was.’ But at the same time, when I had the opportunity to go to AEW, I was looking at it in a sense of, for them, they’re finishing their careers with the Hurt Business. I still got another 10, 15 years to go. So I kind of want to do my own thing and just be my own man for a while and not be linked to, ‘All he did was Hurt Business stuff.’ I was a self-made man before I came to WWE and CWC. So I would like to be able to say, ‘No, this was my choice, something I did for me,’” Alexander said.
While Alexander is carving out a new path in TNA, The Hurt Syndicate has made an impact in AEW. Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin captured the AEW World Tag Team Championship in early 2025. Lashley has been recovering from an injury sustained in late 2025.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Busted Open with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
