AEW did a pull and switch involving Swerve Strickland Dynamite this week to continue his feud with Bobby Lashley.
Earlier in the night, The Hurt Syndicate showed up in an SUV on top of a parking garage. As MVP announced Lashley would make his in-ring debut tonight, Strickland hit Lashley with what appeared to be a steel chain before running off.
MVP and Shelton Benjamin went looking for Strickland in the show. At one point, they thought they found him, but it was someone else who looked like Strickland. Lashley competed in a one-on-two handicap match against Joe Keys and Cheeseburger.
Lashley made short work of the two wrestlers. Following the bout, Prince Nana appeared on the stage to distract MVP and Benjamin long enough for Strickland to attack Lashley.
Indie wrestler Shayn Smith revealed in a post on Twitter that he was the decoy. He has made appearances for AEW in the past, including when he wrestled earlier this month on Collision by teaming with Joe Keys in a losing effort against Brian Cage and Lance Archer of the Don Callis Family.
Hey it’s me https://t.co/EImvHAG3P2
— 2 SMOOTH (@AOShaunSmith) November 21, 2024
