Tony Khan publicly allows Bobby Lashley to pursue enormous non-AEW challenge after Full Gear
Bobby Lashley has officially arrived in AEW. After reuniting with MVP and Shelton Benjamin as The Hurt Syndicate, Lashley made his in-ring PPV debut this weekend by defeating a top star and former World Champion this past weekend. Lashley seemingly formed a strong bond with Tony Khan and is now being allowed to pursue greatness elsewhere.
The All Mighty defeated Swerve Strickland in his AEW PPV in-ring debut on Saturday night, forcing the referee's decision after a Spear and Hurt Lock in the middle of the ring. Now that Lashley is officially All Elite, the door seemingly remains open for a potential return to the MMA cage. Lashley debuted with a win at the inaugural MFA event in December 2008 and last fought in October 2016, where he won a fight at Bellator 162.
Khan appeared with Lashley during the Full Gear post-show media scrum and was asked if the 48-year-old would be allowed to fight MMA while under contract to All Elite Wrestling. Khan's response was very telling.
"If he ever wants to do any fight, this guy can fight anybody on the planet. He would knock them out," Tony Khan said. (H/T Fightful)
Lashley has not confirmed any plans for an MMA return, but his two-word response may have said it all.
"Deal. Done," Bobby Lashley said.
Lashley has a pro-MMA record of 15 wins and two losses. His last fight was a win over Josh Appelt at Bellator 162 on October 21, 2016. The fight ended at 1:43 of the second round via submission (rear-naked choke).
Bobby Lashley is now 2-0 in AEW
Bobby Lashley wrestled his first AEW PPV match on Saturday at Full Gear. He defeated Swerve Strickland via submission, but that win came days after his overall All Elite Wrestling in-ring debut.
Lashley's official All Elite in-ring debut took place on the go-home Dynamite episode. Last Wednesday's show saw Lashley defeat Cheeseburger and Joe Keys in a two-on-one squash match.
Lashley's two-on-one squash win on Dynamite last week was his first wrestling match since May 5, 2024. Lashley's final WWE match came as a win over Santos Escobar at the non-televised live event in France that night.