Bobby Lashley

Real name: Franklin Roberto Lashley
Born: July 16, 1976
Billed height: 6’3”
Billed weight: 273 pounds

Major Titles Held

2-Time WWE Champion
2-Time ECW Champion
2-Time Intercontinental Champion
3-Time United States Champion
4-Time TNA Champion
1-Time TNA X-Division Champion
Headlined 9 WWE PPV events

Life Before Wrestling

Bobby Lashley attended Missouri Valley College. He was the NAIA National Wrestling Champion in the 177 pound division in 1996, 1997, and 1998. After graduation, Lashley joined the army for the next three years. He won a gold and silver medal in the International Military Sports Council senior freestyle wrestling event. In 2003, Lashley was in a bank when gunfire took place. He had to dive for cover to avoid gunfire that resulted in a knee injury that ended his amateur career.

2003-2005: Bobby Lashley in OVW

Bobby Lashley trained in OVW which was the developmental group of WWE at that time. He made his OVW debut in January of 2003.

2005-2008: Bobby Lashley debuts on WWE TV

Bobby Lashley began wrestling for SmackDown full-time in September of 2005.

2006: Bobby Lashley wins US Title, beats Big Show for ECW Title

Bobby Lashley competed in King of the Ring that was taking place on SmackDown. He made it to the finals that were held at Judgment Day. He was defeated by Booker T when Finlay interfered. As Booker was being crowned the new king, Lashley speared Booker into the throne. Lashley won the United States championship from JBL in May on SmackDown. He lost it to Finlay in July, also on SmackDown. Lashley continued to feud with Booker T and his Court, which included Finlay and William Regal. Lashley got an opportunity to wrestle for the World Heavyweight Championship at No Mercy in a Fatal 4-Way match that also included the champion, Booker T, as well as Batista and Bobby Lashley. Booker retained the title when he pinned Finlay. Lashley then went to ECW in November where he immediately won the ECW Title in an Extreme Elimination Chamber match at the ECW December to Dismember.

2007: Bobby Lashley in Battle of the Billionaires match (WrestleMania 23)

Bobby Lashley was selected by Donald Trump to represent him in a “Battle of the Billionaires” match against Vince McMahon at WrestleMania 23 in a hair vs hair match. McMahon picked Umaga. Steve Austin was the guest referee. Lashley won the match, forcing McMahon to get his head shaved bald. McMahon would get revenge as a match was booked at Backlash with Vince and Shane McMahon and Umaga defeating Lashley that saw Vince wind up as ECW Champion. Vince appeared in ECW as champion while wearing a durag to cover up his bald head. Lashley won the 3 on 1 rematch at Judgment Day, but didn’t win the title because he didn’t pin Vince. Lashley finally regained the title from Vince McMahon when Lashley beat Vince in a street fight at One Night Stand. In June, Lashley was drafted to RAW, and as a result, was stripped of the ECW Title. In July, Lashley needed surgery so they ran an angle with Mr. Kennedy who kicked Lashley’s shoulder into the ring steps to explain Lashley’s injury and time away.

2008: Bobby Lashley released by WWE

In February, WWE released Bobby Lashley. Lashley appeared for AAA at TripleMania XVI in Mexico in June. In July, he appeared for the WWC 35th Anniversary show in Puerto Rico.

2009: Bobby Lashley signs with TNA

Bobby Lashley started in TNA in April of 2009. Kurt Angle announced Lashley as the newest member of The Main Event Mafia, but it was a swerve as Lashley attacked The Mafia. Lashley continued to feud with The Mafia throughout the summer. His next feud was with Samoa Joe. Lashley defeated Joe in a submission match at Bound for Glory.

2010: Bobby Lashley leaves TNA, shifts focus to MMA

Lashley wanted to leave TNA and concentrate on his MMA career. In storyline, Lashley turned heel by attacking wrestlers while demanding a release from his contract. Lashley left the promotion in February.

2008-2016: Bobby Lashley in Strikeforce, Bellator MMA

Bobby Lashley had four MMA fights in 2008-2009 going 4-0 before going to Strikeforce where from 2010-2012, he went 2-0. He also had some MMA fights in smaller promotions before going to Bellator in 2014-2016 where he went 5-0. Overall, his record was 15-2.

2014-2018: Bobby Lashley returns to TNA

In March of 2014, Lashley returned to TNA. He became a heel with MVP and Kenny King and formed a group known as the Beat Down Clan. Lashley won the TNA title in June from Eric Young. Lashley defeated a number of opponents before losing the title to Bobby Roode at No Surrender. In January of 2015, Lashley regained the title from Roode when Eric Young turned on Roode. He lost the title to Kurt Angle in January, but the match didn’t air until March. Lashley won the TNA Title again at Slammiversary by defeating Drew Galloway. He lost the title to Eddie Edwards in October. He regained the title from Edwards in January of 2017. Lashley then lost the title to Alberto El Patron in July. Lashley left TNA in the early part of 2018.

2018: Bobby Lashley returns to WWE

Bobby Lashley made his return to RAW the night after WrestleMania 34. Lashley defeated Roman Reigns at Extreme Rules to become the number one contender to the Universal Champion, Brock Lesnar. Reigns won the rematch on RAW. Lashley turned heel in October attacking Kevin Owens and introducing his new manager, Lio Rush.

2019: Bobby Lashley wins Intercontinental Championship, storyline with Lana

Lashley won the Intercontinental Championship from Dean Ambrose in a triple threat match that also involved Seth Rollins in January. Finn Balor won the title from Lashley in a handicap match when Balor pinned Lashley tag team partner, Lio Rush at Elimination Chamber. Lashley regained the title the next night on RAW. Balor beat Lashley for the title at WrestleMania 34. In September, Lashley and Lana became an on-screen couple and ignited a feud with Lana’s husband, Rusev. The two were “married” on RAW in the storyline.

2020: Formation of the Hurt Business

In May of 2020, Lashley aligned himself with MVP as his manager. At Backlash, Bobby Lashley got his shot at WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, but Lana accidently cost him the match. Lashley blamed Lana and asked for a divorce. In June, Shelton Benjamin joined Lashley and MVP to form the Hurt Business. Lashley defeated Apollo Crews to win the United States Championship at Payback. Cedric Alexander joined the Hurt Business in September.

2021: Bobby Lashley wins WWE Championship

Lashley lost the United States Title to Riddle at Elimination Chamber in a triple threat match that also involved John Morrison. Also on the show, Lashley attacked WWE Champion Drew McIntyre which resulted in The Miz cashing in his Money in the Bank contract on McIntyre to win the title. It was revealed that Miz conspired with Lashley and MVP for the attack. Lashley defeated Braun Strowman to become the number one contender to The Miz. Lashley got his match with The Miz and defeated him to become WWE Champion. In March, Lashley attacked both Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin after they lost a match which ended the Hurt Business. Lashley remained with MVP. Lashley retained the WWE Championship over Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 37. He defeated Goldberg at SummerSlam. In September on RAW, Lashley successfully defended the title against Randy Orton, however, after the match, Big E cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Lashley and won the title. Lashley lost to Goldberg at Crown Jewel.

2022: Bobby Lashley beats Brock Lesnar to win WWE Championship

Lashley won the WWE Championship from Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble, but lost it back to Lesnar at Elimination Chamber. Lashley turned babyface in March when he went up against Omos and defeated Omos at WrestleMania 38 to end Omos’ undefeated winning streak. Shortly after, MVP turned on Lashley and became the manager for Omos. Omos defeated Lashley at WrestleMania Backlash with interference from MVP. Lashley defeated Theory at Money in the Bank to win the United States Championship.

Major PPVs Headlined

2005:

WWE Survivor Series: John Bradshaw Layfield, Rey Mysterio, Batista, Randy Orton, & Bobby Lashley Team Smackdown beat Shawn Michaels, Carlito, The Big Show, Kane & Chris Masters Team Raw in an elimination match.

2006:

WWE No Mercy: World Champ Booker T beat Bobby Lashley, Fit Finlay, and Batista in a Fatal 4-way match when he pinned Finlay.

WWE December to Dismember: Bobby Lashley won an Extreme Elimination Chamber match over Big Show ( c ), Rob Van Dam, CM Punk, Test, Bob Holly to win the ECW Title.

2007:

WWE Vengeance Night of Champions: WWE Champ John Cena beat Booker T, Randy Orton, Mick Foley, and Bobby Lashley in a five-way match when he pinned Foley.

WWE Great American Bash: WWE Champion John Cena defeated Bobby Lashley

2019:

WWE Fastlane: Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, & Dean Ambrose beat Bobby Lashley, Baron Corbin, & Drew McIntyre.

2021:

WWE Hell in a Cell: WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defeated Drew McIntyre

2022:

WWE Day 1: WWE Champion Brock Lesnar defeated Big E ( c ), Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley, and in a Fatal 5-Way match to win the title

WWE Elimination Chamber: WWE Champion Brock Lesnar defeated Bobby Lashley ( c ), AJ Styles, Austin Theory, Riddle, and Seth Rollins to win the title