Bobby Lashley Fires Back At AEW’s Critics
Bobby Lashley has hit back at AEW’s critics.
Following a second six-year spell with WWE, Bobby Lashley signed with AEW in September 2024. Since then, he’s reunited with Shelton Benjamin and MVP, and is currently one-half of the World Tag Team Champions.
Although he’s largely synonymous with WWE, Lashley had an incredibly successful run with TNA, while also finding success as an MMA fighter with Bellator. In short, Lashley’s his own man, and he’s not afraid to step outside his comfort zone to achieve his goals.
Bobby Lashley Just Wants To Be A Wrestler
In a new interview with WFAA Dallas, Lashley discussed the differences between working for AEW and WWE, and took issue with the rampant tribalism online. He explained that he’s not an AEW wrestler and not a WWE wrestler; he’s simply a wrestler.
“I think right off the bat, I know that the critics try to keep AEW down because anytime they talk about a WWE guy going over, they act like it’s a bad thing. I keep trying to tell them, I am not a WWE wrestler. I am not an AEW wrestler. I am a wrestler. I wrestled for WWE for a good portion of my career, now I’m a wrestler for AEW. That’s all you need to know me by.”
Lashley went on to praise Tony Khan for giving AEW stars more input and influence over their creative. However, he was keen to point out that regardless of any ideas a talent might come up with, it’s Khan who has the final say.
“Another thing with AEW, you have a little bit more creative input. I think WWE, they had their agenda and what they wanted to do and you had to stay on course with what they were doing. I think with AEW, Tony Khan gives these guys an opportunity to voice their opinion, to kind of run their stories the way they would like to and they have some say in it.
Of course, he’s the final say, so if he says no, no it is. But he gives these guys an opportunity to kinda hear their voice a little bit more and make changes accordingly.”
During an interview of his own, Tony Khan explained that it’s often AEW fans who guide his booking of the promotion. The AEW boss stressed the importance of listening to fans and feedback online, dismissing criticism that he gives these voices too much attention.
H/t to Fightful