Shelton Benjamin discusses signing with AEW, interest from other companies

  • Ian Carey
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Shelton Benjamin explained why he signed with AEW during a recent interview with Gabby AF.

Benjamin made his AEW in-ring debut on the October 16 episode of Dynamite, picking up a win over Lio Rush. He’s back in action on this week’s show, as he’s scheduled to wrestle Sammy Guevara in singles competition.

WWE released Benjamin in September 2023. He says other promotions, such as MLW and TNA, expressed interest in bringing him in afterward, but he ultimately decided to sign with AEW because it offers the largest possible audience outside of WWE.

“I did have a few offers. MLW was very interested. Obviously, I was doing a lot of international things and exploring other options as far as in and out of pro wrestling. Acting was one of them, well, is one of them.”

Benjamin’s international dates following his WWE release included shows for The Crash in Mexico, Progress in England, and OPW in Australia. He also wrestled a match against Kevin Knight for DEFY in Seattle last month.

“I like to put myself in the best possible position to succeed,” Benjamin continued. “When the door closed at WWE, I really thought long and hard about where I wanted to go. Impact was a very tempting place to go, but what it just boils down to is I want the biggest possible audience and outside of WWE, there is no one bigger than AEW.”

“I don’t have as much time (left) as a lot of guys, as far as in-ring and things like that. Don’t get me wrong, not that I’m going to retire anytime soon, but for the time I have left I want to reach the biggest possible audience I can. What better place than AEW? There is no better place.”

Benjamin also discussed what Bobby Lashley’s debut in AEW would mean for the company, although he would not confirm that the former WWE Champion has signed.

“The prospect of Bobby coming to AEW, I think that’s huge. I think it’s a win for AEW because you have, aside from myself, one of the most phenomenal athletes that you can ever get. Two-time WWE World Champion. I think it only brings a bigger audience to AEW, so it’s a plus. When that will happen? I’m not sure. Bobby has his own plans and when and if they coincide with ours is yet to be determined.”

Benjamin’s full interview on Gabby AF is available below.