The Hurt Business (professional wrestling)

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The Hurt Business
The Hurt Business Logo from 2020 to 2022
Statistics
MembersBobby Lashley
Shelton Benjamin
MVP (manager)
Name(s)
  • The Hurt Business
  • The Hurt Syndicate
Billed heightsMVP: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Lashley: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Benjamin: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Combined
billed weight		780 lb (350 kg)
Former
member(s)		Cedric Alexander
DebutMay 11, 2020
Years active2020–2022
2024–present

The Hurt Syndicate is a villainous professional wrestling stable in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). They are best known for their tenure in WWE from 2020 to 2022, where they were known as The Hurt Business.

For much of its existence, the group was composed of MVP, Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander and the stable was the centrepoint of the ThunderDome era during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group held four different championships seven times, with Lashley holding the WWE and United States Championships while Alexander and Benjamin held the Raw Tag Team Championship once and the 24/7 Championship four times each (Benjamin held it three times and Alexander held it once). The group was gradually disbanded after Lashley and MVP left the group in early 2022 but Alexander and Benjamin continued to function as a tag team under The Hurt Business name until that August. In October 2024, MVP, Lashley, and Benjamin reformed the group in AEW as The Hurt Syndicate.

History

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WWE (2020–2022)

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Formation and championship success (2020–2021)

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On the May 11, 2020 episode of Raw, MVP aligned himself with Bobby Lashley, with MVP promising to manage Lashley to a WWE Championship reign.[1] At Backlash, Lashley failed to capture the WWE Championship from Drew McIntyre following a distraction from his on-screen wife Lana.[2][3] The following night on Raw, Lashley blamed Lana for his loss at Backlash and he would then ask for a divorce, thus ending their romantic storyline.[4]

On the June 22 episode of Raw, Lashley attacked United States Champion Apollo Crews and placed him in his full nelson hold after he turned down MVP's offer to join them.[5] After defeating Crews in a non-title match,[6] MVP unveiled a new United States Championship design and declared himself the "real" United States Champion.[7][8] This set up a match between Crews and MVP at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules; however, Crews was pulled out from the match the day of the event, with the reason given by WWE being that he was not declared medically fit to compete, while media such as Forbes reported rumors that Crews had tested positive for COVID-19.[9] As a result, MVP won the match by forfeit, and afterwards, declared himself the new United States Champion; however, this was not recognized by WWE.[10] The following night on Raw, MVP and Lashley added Shelton Benjamin into their group as the duo helped Benjamin capture the 24/7 Championship from R-Truth, and the group was formally named "The Hurt Business", and the faction were often presented as a high-end bunch, often wearing expensive, fashionable suits.[11] Crews returned from hiatus on the August 3 episode of Raw and retained his title against MVP, taking the new title design in the process.[12] Following this, The Hurt Business began feuding with Crews' allies, Ricochet and Cedric Alexander, with both groups exchanging victories and attacks throughout the following weeks on Raw. During his time in the stable, Benjamin won the 24/7 Championships two more times, both coming on the August 17 episode of Raw.[13]

While MVP lost another title match against Crews at SummerSlam,[14] Lashley would defeat Crews at Payback to win the WWE United States Championship.[15] On the September 7 episode of Raw, during a six-man tag team match between Crews, Alexander and Ricochet against The Hurt Business, Alexander betrayed Crews and Ricochet, attacking them and helping The Hurt Business win the match and subsequently celebrated with them, thus turning Alexander heel and joining the group as a result.[16]

On the September 14 episode of Raw, they began a feud with Retribution (Mace, Slapjack, T-Bar and Reckoning) regarding the latter's motives and actions. On the October 5 episode of Raw, The Hurt Business also teased a possible face turn against Retribution after Mustafa Ali established himself as a heel after revealing that he is the leader of the Retribution.[17] On the October 19 episode of Raw, however, The Hurt Business remained heels after viciously assaulting Titus O'Neil after the latter requested to join the group, but was rejected.[18] Six days later at Hell in a Cell, Lashley offered an open challenge for his United States Championship towards any member of Retribution, which was answered by Slapjack, whom Lashley managed to defeat to retain. After the match, the rest of Retribution attacked Lashley, but the rest of the Hurt Business saved Lashley and fought them off.[19]

On the November 2 episode of Raw, Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin defeated The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) in a non-title match.[20] They challenged The New Day for the Raw Tag Team Championships on the November 16 episode of Raw, in a losing effort.[21] On December 20 at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, Benjamin and Alexander captured the Raw Tag Team Championships from The New Day.[22] At Elimination Chamber, Lashley lost the United States Championship to Riddle in a triple threat match, when the latter pinned John Morrison, ending his reign at 175 days. Later in the night, Lashley viciously attacked Drew McIntyre after he successfully retained the WWE Title inside the Chamber, thus allowing The Miz to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase to become the new WWE Champion, under the condition that Miz guaranteed him a title match the next day.[23] Lashley would go on to defeat Miz in a lumberjack match to win the WWE Championship on the March 1 episode of Raw, becoming only the third African-American to win WWE's original world championship.[24] The following week, Lashley retained the title against The Miz.[25]

On the March 15 episode of Raw, Alexander and Benjamin lost the Raw Tag Team Championship back to The New Day, ending their reign at 85 days.[26] On the March 29 episode of Raw, Lashley lambasted Alexander and Benjamin due to them losing the Raw Tag Team Championships and losing to Drew McIntyre in a 2-on-1 handicap match, a loss that meant they would be barred from ringside at Lashley's WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 37 against McIntyre. This led to Lashley attacking Alexander and Benjamin and declaring that The Hurt Business was over for the two of them, thus kicking them out of the faction.[27] While Benjamin and Alexander subsequently started to feud with each other, MVP continued to reference The Hurt Business on television, as well as state on social media that the group was still in action, but it just composed of him and Lashley.

Lashley would go on to retain his title by defeating Drew McIntyre in three consecutive title defenses. The first was in the opening match of WrestleMania 37,[28] the second at WrestleMania Backlash in a triple threat match against McIntyre and Strowman, then finally at Hell in a Cell in a Last Chance Hell in a Cell match. This removed McIntyre from title contention for the duration of Lashley's reign.[29][30] Lashley would begin feuding with Kofi Kingston where a match for the WWE Championship was made between the two at Money in the Bank. At the event, Lashley retained the title against Kingston.[31] On the July 19 episode of Raw, Goldberg would return and challenge Lashley for the WWE Championship. Initially, Lashley would reject the challenge at first, but on the August 2 episode of Raw, Lashley would accept Goldberg's challenge and the match would be made official for SummerSlam. At the event, Lashley would retain the WWE Championship due to referee stoppage after Goldberg could no longer continue.[32] On the September 13 episode of Raw, after successfully defending the title against Randy Orton, Lashley lost the WWE Championship to Big E who cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase, ending his reign at 196 days. On the same episode of Raw, MVP was put out of action due to injury for an undetermined period of time.[33][34]

Reunion (2021–2022)

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On the September 27 episode of Raw, Benjamin and Alexander helped Lashley fight off The New Day and in the process, reuniting The Hurt Business.[35] During the 2021 WWE Draft on October 4, The Hurt Business was drafted to remain on Raw.[36] At Crown Jewel, Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin would lose to The Usos on the pre-show, while Lashley would later be defeated by Goldberg in a No Holds Barred match.[37][38] On the November 22, 2021 episode of Raw, Alexander defeated Reggie to win the WWE 24/7 Championship, however he immediately lost it to Dana Brooke.[39]

Departure of Lashley and MVP and final separation (2022)

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On the January 10, 2022 episode of Raw, Lashley told Alexander and Benjamin that he worked alone and that "there is no more Hurt Business", and later that night the duo would attack him, confirming MVP and Lashley's departure and dissolving the team as a stable in the process.[40]

Benjamin and Alexander would continue to function as a tag team and continued to attack Lashley on the following episodes of Raw, being referred to as The Hurt Business by the commentary team until August 8, 2022 when Alexander defeated Benjamin in the Main Event tapings.[41][42]

Teased reunion (2023)

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On the January 9, 2023 episode of Raw, Benjamin and Alexander reunited to take part in a Tag Team Turmoil match. Earlier during the show, Lashley and MVP, who was managing Omos, teased an alliance, with MVP crediting himself for reuniting Benjamin and Alexander, and getting Lashley reinstated on Raw after being suspended.[43] On the February 6 edition of Raw, Benjamin and Alexander defeated Alpha Academy with MVP in their corner further hinting at a possible reunion, however, the reunion storyline was inexplicably dropped following this episode. Benjamin was subsequently released from the WWE in September 2023 ending the possible reunion with Alexander. Lashley and MVP later departed from WWE in August 2024 when their contracts expired, leaving Alexander as the sole member of the group still with the company.

All Elite Wrestling (2024–present)

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In September 2024, MVP made his debut in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) at Dynamite: Grand Slam, while Benjamin and Lashley debuted at Dynamite's fifth anniversary[44] and Fright Night Dynamite on the following month of October, thus reuniting the original trio and renaming the group to The Hurt Syndicate, with their first feud being against Swerve Strickland.[45]

Members

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* Founding member
L Leader
M Manager
MVP (M)
Bobby Lashley
Shelton Benjamin

Current

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Member Tenure
MVP *M May 11, 2020 – January 10, 2022
October 2, 2024 – present
Bobby Lashley * May 11, 2020 – January 10, 2022
October 30, 2024 – present
Shelton Benjamin July 20, 2020 – March 29, 2021
September 27, 2021 – August 8, 2022
October 2, 2024 – present

Former

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Member Joined Left
Cedric Alexander[a] September 7, 2020 August 8, 2022

Timeline

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Notes

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  1. ^ Alexander was initially kicked from The Hurt Business on March 29, 2021, before rejoining on September 27, 2021.

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^ Powell, Jason (May 11, 2020). "5/11 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Becky Lynch's major announcement, the return of Edge and Randy Orton, Lynch confronting MITB winner Asuka, Money in the Bank fallout". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  2. ^ Garretson, Jordan (June 14, 2020). "WWE Champion Drew McIntyre def. Bobby Lashley". WWE. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  3. ^ Powell, Jason (June 14, 2020). "WWE Backlash results: Powell's review of Edge vs. Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre vs. Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship, Asuka vs. Nia Jax for the Raw Women's Championship, Braun Strowman vs. The Miz and John Morrison for the WWE Universal Championship, Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  4. ^ Powell, Jason (June 15, 2020). "6/15 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Asuka vs. Nia Jax for the Raw Women's Championship, Ric Flair's appearance, Drew McIntyre and R-Truth vs. Bobby Lashley and MVP, Randy Orton's opening segment, Dominick Mysterio accepting Seth Rollins' invitation". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  5. ^ Tees, David. "WWE Raw 6/22/20 Results: 3 Title Matches, While Dolph Ziggler & Rey Mysterio Make Their Raw Returns". Fightful. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  6. ^ Powell, Jason (June 29, 2020). "6/29 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of contract signings for the WWE Championship and Raw Women's Championship matches at Extreme Rules, Angel Garza and Andrade vs. The Viking Raiders, U.S. Champion Apollo Crews vs. MVP in a non-title match, Ric Flair and Big Show appear". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  7. ^ Powell, Jason (July 6, 2020). "7/6 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Raw Women's Champion Asuka vs. Smackdown Women's Champion Bayley in a non-title match, Rey Mysterio and Aleister Black vs. Seth Rollins and Murphy, Big Show and The Viking Raiders vs. Randy Orton, Andrade, and Angel Garza". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  8. ^ Tees, David. "WWE Raw 7/6/20 Results: Champion vs. Champion, Several Returns & A New US Title Belt Is Revealed". Fightful. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  9. ^ Konuwa, Alfred (July 19, 2020). "WWE Extreme Rules 2020 Results: Apollo Crews Off PPV Amid Twitter Speculation". Forbes. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  10. ^ Powell, Jason (July 19, 2020). "WWE Extreme Rules results: Powell's review of Seth Rollins vs. Rey Mysterio in An Eye For An Eye match, WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt in a non-title Swamp Fight, Asuka vs. Sasha Banks for the Raw Women's Championship, Drew McIntyre vs. Dolph Ziggler for the WWE Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  11. ^ Powell, Jason (July 20, 2020). "7/20 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Randy Orton vs. Big Show in an unsanctioned match, Seth Rollins vs. Aleister Black, Bayley vs. Kairi Sane in a non-title match, fallout from Extreme Rules". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  12. ^ Powell, Jason (August 3, 2020). "8/3 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Shane McMahon returns, Apollo Crews vs. MVP for the U.S. Championship, Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton meet face to face, the arrival of a new faction, the SummerSlam build continues". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  13. ^ Powell, Jason (August 17, 2020). "8/17 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of the brand's final push for SummerSlam with Shawn Michaels addressing Randy Orton's attack on Ric Flair, farewell to the ceiling fan". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  14. ^ Powell, Jason (August 23, 2020). "WWE SummerSlam Kickoff Show results: Powell's review of Apollo Crews vs. MVP for the U.S. Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  15. ^ Powell, Jason (August 30, 2020). "WWE Payback results: Powell's review of The Fiend vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman in a Triple Threat for the WWE Universal Championship, Keith Lee vs. Randy Orton, Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax for the WWE Women's Tag Titles, Matt Riddle vs. King Corbin". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  16. ^ Powell, Jason (September 7, 2020). "9/7 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of the Labor Day edition featuring Randy Orton vs. Keith Lee, Aleister Black vs. Kevin Owens in Raw Underground, Dominik Mysterio vs. Murphy". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  17. ^ Powell, Jason (September 14, 2020). "9/14 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Drew McIntyre vs. Keith Lee in a non-title match, Seth Rollins vs. Dominik Mysterio in a cage match, Asuka vs. Mickie James for the Raw Women's Championship, The Street Profits vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro in a champions vs. champions match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  18. ^ "Video: RAW 10/19: The Hurt Business beat down Titus O'Neil". Wrestling Inc. October 21, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  19. ^ Toro, Carlos (October 25, 2020). "WWE Hell In A Cell - United States Championship Match: Bobby Lashley vs. Slapjack Result". Fightful. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  20. ^ Powell, Jason (November 2, 2020). "11/02 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Jeff Hardy vs. Elias in a Guitar on a Pole Match, Raw Tag Champs Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods vs. Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin in a non-title match, Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax vs. Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke for the WWE Women's Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  21. ^ Powell, Jason (November 16, 2020). "11/16 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods vs. Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin for the Raw Tag Titles, Team Raw vs. Retribution, the final push for Survivor Series". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  22. ^ Powell, Jason (December 20, 2020). "WWE TLC results: Powell's review of Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens in a TLC match for the WWE Universal Championship, Drew McIntyre vs. AJ Styles in a TLC match for the WWE Championship, The Fiend vs. Randy Orton in a Firefly Inferno Match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  23. ^ Powell, Jason (November 22, 2020). "WWE Survivor Series results: Powell's review of Undertaker's Final Farewell, Drew McIntyre vs. Roman Reigns, Asuka vs. Sasha Banks, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods vs. The Street Profits, Bobby Lashley vs. Sami Zayn in champion vs. champion matches, Team Raw vs. Team Smackdown in Survivor Series elimination matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  24. ^ Powell, Jason (March 1, 2021). "3/1 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review The Miz vs. Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship, Drew McIntyre returns, the build to WWE Fastlane continues". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  25. ^ Powell, Jason (March 8, 2021). "3/8 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review Bobby Lashley vs. The Miz for the WWE Championship, Lashley's championship celebration Braun Strowman wants Shane McMahon to apologize, the build to WWE Fastlane continues". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  26. ^ Powell, Jason (March 15, 2021). "3/15 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin vs. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods for the Raw Tag Titles, Riddle vs. Mustafa Ali for the U.S. Title, Raw Women's Champion Asuka vs. Shayna Baszler in a non-title match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  27. ^ Powell, Jason (March 29, 2021). "3/29 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of the Asuka vs. Rhea Ripley contract signing for the Raw Women's Championship match at WrestleMania, U.S. Champion Riddle vs. Sheamus in a non-title match, the penultimate edition of Raw heading into WrestleMania 37". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  28. ^ Chiari, Mike. "Bobby Lashley Beats Drew McIntyre, Retains WWE Title at WrestleMania 37". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  29. ^ Chiari, Mike. "Lashley Beats McIntyre, Strowman; Retains WWE Title at WrestleMania Backlash". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  30. ^ Chiari, Mike. "Bobby Lashley Beats Drew McIntyre, Retains WWE Title at 2021 Hell in a Cell". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  31. ^ "Lashley destroys Kingston in scary display of dominance". WWE. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  32. ^ Chiari, Mike. "Bobby Lashley Beats Goldberg, Retains WWE Title at SummerSlam 2021". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  33. ^ Barrasso, Justin (September 14, 2021). "After 12 Years, Big E Finally Wins the WWE Championship". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  34. ^ Singh, Akshay (September 20, 2021). "WWE Raw: Former US Champion MVP underwent surgery on his knee this week, Check details". InsideSport. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  35. ^ Powell, Jason (September 27, 2021). "9/27 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Big E vs. Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship, Charlotte Flair's open challenge for the Raw Women's Championship, Damian Priest vs. Sheamus in a No DQ, No Count-Out match for the U.S. Title, Riddle vs. AJ Styles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  36. ^ "WWE Draft 2021: Every Pick Made on Night Two on WWE Raw". WWE. October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  37. ^ "WWE Crown Jewel Kickoff: The Usos vs. The Hurt Business". Wrestlezone. October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  38. ^ Chiari, Mike. "Goldberg Defeats Bobby Lashley at WWE Crown Jewel 2021". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  39. ^ Powell, Jason (November 22, 2021). "11/22 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of the Vince McMahon Cleopatra Egg whodunnit, Bobby Lahsley vs. Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio in a handicap match, Rhea Ripley and Nikki ASH vs. Queen Zelina and Carmella for the WWE Women's Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  40. ^ "WWE Raw Results – 1/10/22 (Raw Women's Championship #1 Contender's Triple Threat Match, Tag Titles on the line)". WrestleView. January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  41. ^ Elizabeth, Claire (January 17, 2022). "WWE Raw results, live blog (Jan. 17, 2022): Bobby Lashley responds". Cageside Seats. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  42. ^ "WWE tag team has been split up". August 11, 2022.
  43. ^ Powell, Jason. "1/9 WWE Raw results: Powell's live review of The Street Profits vs. The OC vs. Alpha Academy vs. Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin vs. Judgment Day in Tag Team Turmoil for a shot at the Undisputed WWE Tag Titles, Solo Sikoa vs. Dolph Ziggler, Rhea Ripley vs. Candice LeRae, Bayley vs. Michin, Kevin Owens vs. Baron Corbin". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  44. ^ Khan, Tony (October 14, 2024). "After Lio's announcement that he's back signed with AEW was interrupted by The Hurt Syndicate, @Sheltyb803 makes his @AEW debut vs Lio Rush on TBS, THIS WEDNESDAY!". Twitter.
  45. ^ Elizabeth, Claire (October 30, 2024). "AEW Fright Night Dynamite results, live blog: Tag title match". Cageside Seats. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  46. ^ Brookhouse, Brent (January 2, 2021). "2020 CBS Sports Wrestling Awards: Drew McIntyre stands out as Wrestler of the Year". CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
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  50. ^ "WWE Raw Tag Team Championship". World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  51. ^ "WWE 24/7 Championship". World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  52. ^ "2020 SLAMMY Award winners announced". WWE. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
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