According to Fightful Select, AEW star and pro wrestling veteran MVP has been causing some frustration within the company, particularly regarding the Hurt Syndicate. There have been rumors surrounding the group, which were mentioned during a Twitter Space session by JCup2013 of The Wrestling Binder, who noted that similar discussions have circulated over the past couple of months.
The report states that several talents have indicated that MVP has garnered some heat for himself after rubbing many people the wrong way. While there is no specific issue between him and Bobby Lashley or Shelton Benjamin, it is well known backstage that MVP dislikes Mike Bailey. Multiple sources have confirmed that MVP has made his feelings towards Bailey clear and was unhappy about the group potentially losing the AEW World Tag Team Championships to JetSpeed. However, the talents involved were never informed that a loss to JetSpeed was planned, and no one seems to know precisely why MVP has this aversion to Bailey.
The report further mentions that there have been various creative pitches involving the Hurt Syndicate, though it is unclear how far these proposals have progressed. One idea suggested that FTR should win at All In: Texas to initiate a redemption story. FTR had been proposed to compete against Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay, but those plans were disrupted by Ospreay’s injury. It has been claimed within AEW that the Hurt Syndicate rejected the idea of losing to FTR at both All In and Forbidden Door, with MVP stating that the team would prefer to lose to a younger faction.
MVP’s preferred teams for a potential loss included the Gates of Agony, The Outrunners, or Private Party. There was also some openness to losing to Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay, although this was less likely due to Ospreay’s neck injury. It has been pointed out that the Hurt Syndicate has already defeated all three of the teams they prefer to lose to. There is said to be a degree of frustration among the locker room, as the group is characterized as heels who perform impressive moves, dominate everyone, and engage with fans on their way out. There has been no indication that the group is leaving, as all three members have several years remaining on their contracts.
Finally, the report suggests that MJF and the Hurt Syndicate were originally intended to work together for a longer period. However, it was mentioned that there is no heat between MJF and the group, and they have no issues with each other. Additionally, many roster members interviewed expressed that 2025 has been the best year for the locker room in several years, with most dismissing any existing issues.
