Former WWE Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion Shelton Benjamin was released from his contract with World Wrestling Entertainment back in the Fall of 2023. During his latest run he would form The Hurt Business faction alongside Bobby Lashley, Cedric Alexander and MVP. Since his release Benjamin hadn’t been in talks with major promotions until a month ago with All Elite Wrestling according to Fightful Select. Could The Gold Standard become All Elite?

Shelton Benjamin is a talented amateur wrestler with his career dating all the way back to his high school days at Orangeburg – Wilkinson High School. It was during this time that Benjamin would amass a 122-10 win-loss record. He would later go on to become a two time All American, placed fifth in the heavyweight division of the NCAA Championships in 1997 and  third place the following year during his time at the University of Minnesota.

Benjamin would sign a contract with WWE on January 10th, 2000 after turning down an opportunity to qualify for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. During his first two year he was sent to their developmental territory, OVW becoming a four time tag team champion. Across his multiple runs with WWE Benjamin would become a three time 24/7 champion, three time Intercontinental champion, three time RAW Tag Team champion and one time United States champion. 

Fightful Select reported that Benjamin has had conversations with AEW, although there is no word on whether or not he will be signed to a contract or make appearances. The conversations with AEW reportedly started last month. There had been a push within the company to pursue talks with him since before his release last year when it was mistakenly believed that his WWE contract was coming to an end. 

He was later released on September 21st along with several other wrestlers including Dolph Ziggler and Mustafa Ali. While he has never wrestled for AEW he does have a history with Ring of Honor from 2010-2013, New Japan Pro Wrestling from 2012-2015 and Pro Wrestling NOAH from 2015-2016.

He last appeared for WWE in a losing effort teaming with Cedric Alexander against the Viking Raiders at a Main Event taping on September 11th. He later wrestled in a winning effort against World Wrestling Council (WWC) wrestler Gilbert this past Saturday (March 9, 2024). Benjamin’s next appearance will be against former two time TNA World Heavyweight Champion Josh Alexander for Prestige Wrestling at their Alive or Justin Breathing event on May 16.

Make sure to subscribe to our Late Night Crew Wrestling YouTube Channel. Follow @yorkjavon, @kspowerwheels & @LateNightCrewYT on X.