Magazine Archives: Bobby Lashley’s Journey to the Top of WWE

As seen in FightfulMag.com issue 2

By Jack Goodwillie

Not all main eventers are created equal.

Some, like Hulk Hoganor Randy Orton, are destined for the top of the card. Others, such as John Cena and The Rock, have to overcome some type of adversity along the way, whether it is a lack of fan acceptance or an inability to please management. Bobby Lashley, the reigning World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Champion and a victor in the opening match of WrestleMania 37, has had a unique road to the top that has encompassed both main event molds.

For a long time, many questioned whether a second WWE run would be in the cards for Lashley after the then 32-year-old left the company at the peak of his popularity in 2008. Upon leaving, the one-time National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics(NAIA) 177-pound National Wrestling Champion embarked on a mixed martial arts career, in addition to continuing his pro wrestling pursuits. However, unable to give his full attention to either sport, Lashley’s popularity stalled. In late-2016, Lashley left the world of MMA behind with a 15-2 record, and in doing so, Bobby Lashley - the professional wrestler - caught a second wind. His physicality in the ring made him an instant standout, and his character work took a huge leap forward. Not only did he show steady growth on the microphone, but Lashley also began to don his trademark headband, which, for a time, became a staple of his modern character.

With the wind to his back, Lashley made his surprise return to the WWE on the post-WrestleMania episode of Raw in 2018, and before doing so, made clear to management he was only returning to become the guy that could carry the show. However, for more than two years, the creative vision behind Lashley lacked considerably. He soon became “The Almighty” Bobby Lashley, picked up Lio Rushas his manager and entered an uninspired on-again, off-again feud with Eliasover his first six months back in the company. Things really took a turn for the worse the following year when he entered a ludicrous homewrecker angle with Lana and Rusevthat culminated in a wedding between Lanaand Lashley despite Lana and Rusev’s off-screen marriage being common knowledge. The four-month feud would go on to be panned by just about every single wrestling critic with a voice on social media, and the aftermath resulted in Lashley, arguably the best pure athlete in the company, getting lost in the shuffle.

---

I can remember back to September 23, 2005, when Lashley made his WWE debut. This era brings up fond memories, as it was during a time where my brother and I would catch Smackdown weekly, hardly ever missing an episode. While the name of his opponent that night escapes me, Lashley became an instant favorite of the two of us. Even the two of us, pre-teens who had been watching wrestling for little more than a year at the time, knew he was going to be a big deal. Tony Chimel introduced him as “a three-time National Amateur Wrestling Champion, a four-time All-American, a two-time Armed Forces Champion, and a 2002 Silver Medalist at the Military World Championship.” Not even Ken Kennedy could give himself that kind of introduction. He proceeded to enter the ring to some stock nu-metal song, threw his opponent around the ring like a medicine ball, and operated with the raw power and intensity becoming of a future star. It was for that very reason, after all, guys like Batistacaught on so easily with the younger fans. He looked like an action figure and wrestled like an action hero.

Sure enough, Lashley rose among the ranks, accumulating title reigns with the United States and ECW Championships before settling into one of the main attractions at WrestleMania 23, the Battle of the Billionaires. The grudge match betweenMr. Vince McMahon andDonald Trump, which saw each egotistical man of money pick a representative in the match, made news around the world. McMahon opted for Umaga, while Trump chose Lashley. The losing billionaire would have their head shaved live on pay-per-view. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin even got involved as the special guest referee, so needless to say, the surrounding buzz helped take Lashley to the next level, as did some insane feats of athleticism in the ensuing weeks. After having worked alongside legends such as Austin and McMahon, a WWE Championship run seemed to be in Lashley’s immediate future - until it wasn’t.

Lashley’s origins in professional wrestling present a curious case. He signed a developmental deal with WWE in 2004, but not before making a run at a chance to represent the United States amateur wrestling team at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. After getting caught in the crossfire of an armed bank robbery, his dream of becoming an Olympian came to a screeching halt. Lashley found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and received a gunshot wound to the leg while taking cover, rendering him unable to qualify for the Olympics.

Upon arriving in Ohio Valley Wrestling, Lashley had minimal pro wrestling experience. While the then-named “Blaster Lashley” showed steady improvement during his short stint in OVW, Vince McMahon opted to fast-track him to the main roster due to his jaw-dropping physique and athletic intangibles. As a result, the young Lashley was forced to continue his development on the fly. VeteranFit Finlay, a frequent opponent of Lashley’s in the early years, proved instrumental in his growth on Smackdown. Slowly but surely, he began to flash superstar potential, justifying McMahon’s choice to promote him to Smackdown. By the time Lashley came face-to-face with John Cena in summer 2007, the WWE opted not to pull the trigger on a world championship run. Yes, Lashley had come a long way for someone with minimal experience, but when forced to measure up to the John Cenas, Batistas and Randy Ortons of the company, his character work still fell short. Working a one-on-one program with Cena exposed this hole in his game and after suffering a legitimate injury at the Great American Bash, the WWE opted to release Lashley on February 4, 2008.

---

At 44 years young, the Bobby Lashley we see today is a man forged by his experiences. He recorded finishes in 12 of his 15 MMA fights and got the opportunity to avenge one of his two losses. When he signed with Total Nonstop Action (TNA), he effectively became what Brock Lesnaris to the WWE. He went on to work meaningful world championship programs with the likes of EC3, Eddie Edwards and a familiar foe in Drew McIntyre (thenDrew Galloway).

Stepping out of the limelight allowed Lashley to level up. It is, for this reason, why the fans who followed his career in TNA, Bellator and Strikeforce never doubted his ability to make good on his promise to become a WWE cornerstone despite his character’s bleak outlook following WrestleMania 36. Last May, Lashley aligned himself with rising managerMVP as well asShelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexanderto make up The Hurt Business, one of the most critically acclaimed WWE factions of the last decade. The foursome had the look and feel of an old-school wrestling stable but came across as authentic on a television show that was - and is - sorely lacking in authenticity and cohesiveness. As a result, Lashley’s stock began to normalize, then reach heights once unimaginable, this time last year.

On March 1, 2021, Lashley defeated The Mizto win the WWE Championship for the very first time. Wrestling fans around the world recognized that he would need a victory at a historically significant WrestleMania 37 to cement his status among the company’s elite.

Drew McIntyre is a familiar foe to Lashley but also a great foil. Like Lashley, McIntyre is an athletic anomaly who comes across as authentically as any member of the Raw roster, except for perhaps Bobby Lashley himself. Both men are two of the last people I’d want to meet in a dark alleyway. The face-to-face confrontation that took place minutes before their match at WrestleMania 37 was gripping, intense, and made you want to tune in, regardless of how you felt about The Hurt Business’ abrupt breakup. However, Lashley and McIntyre’s joint promo made me forget about that colossal mistake, if only for a few minutes, and that is a massive credit to the performers.

Lashley went on to retain the WWE Championship against McIntyre in the first WWE match in front of a live audience in over a year. In doing so, he cemented his status as one of WWE’s marquee superstars, fulfilling his promise. The road was unquestionably long, but every bit of adversity Lashley confronted along the way helped make him the star he is today. Even if the fabled Brock Lesnar match never happens, Lashley will always be remembered for having one of the most unique career paths a professional wrestler has ever had, and it’s nice to see the man finally get his due.

Jack Goodwillieis a freelance sports journalist and a regular contributor to The Wrestling Estate. The former athletic administrator got his start covering high school sports for The Philadelphia Inquirer after receiving his journalism degree from Temple University in 2015.

Twitter: @jackgoodwillie