Veteran WWE and AEW star MVP is reportedly at the center of backstage friction within All Elite Wrestling, stemming from his strong creative influence and recent booking controversies involving the Hurt Syndicate faction. Multiple sources indicate that MVP’s involvement has led to growing dissatisfaction among talent and personnel, particularly related to match outcomes and faction presentation[1][2].

According to a detailed report from Fightful Select, MVP has accumulated significant backstage heat over the last several months. Tensions revolve around his unwavering opposition to the Hurt Syndicate dropping the AEW World Tag Team Championships to certain teams like FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler), despite AEW’s plans for FTR to score important wins at marquee events such as All In and Forbidden Door as part of a deliberate redemption storyline[1][3][5].

The Wrestling Binder’s JCup2013 hosted a Twitter Space recently highlighting these ongoing creative clashes. During the discussion, it was revealed that MVP resisted AEW’s proposed booking that had FTR overcoming Hurt Syndicate at both All In and Forbidden Door, even though there were also plans for high-profile matches involving FTR against stars like Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay. Ospreay’s unfortunate neck injury disrupted these plans, but MVP’s opposition to the idea of Hurt Syndicate losing to FTR remained firm[1][3].

Backstage sources further disclosed that MVP has been pushing to elevate other younger tag teams—specifically The Gates of Agony, The Outrunners, and Private Party—in Hurt Syndicate’s title defenses. This suggestion has caused frustration among wrestlers, as these teams had been previously defeated by Hurt Syndicate, making subsequent matches against them feel repetitive and lacking compelling stakes[1].

While AEW’s locker room atmosphere is generally positive and collaborative, MVP’s creative control regarding match results and faction portrayal has reportedly created noticeable friction, as insiders say some wrestlers “rubs a lot of people the wrong way.” One notable point is MVP’s apparent personal dislike of AEW’s Mike Bailey, leading to resistance against potential losses to Bailey’s faction, JetSpeed[2][4].

Sources close to AEW confirm no formal disciplinary action has been taken yet, but the backstage unease is expected to persist unless clearer creative direction or compromises are established. The situation illustrates the complex dynamics that emerge when veteran talent influences creative decisions heavily, particularly when it clashes with company-wide booking strategies[1][5].

A WWE insider familiar with AEW backstage workings commented, “MVP is a smart and experienced contributor, but his desire to protect Hurt Syndicate and certain outcomes is causing headaches behind the scenes. It’s not uncommon for strong personalities to impact booking, but it needs balance, especially with a faction as prominent as Hurt Syndicate.” This insider stressed that the AEW creative team is monitoring the situation closely to avoid further disruption as key shows approach.

The Hurt Syndicate, featuring established stars like Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin under MVP’s management, has held the AEW World Tag Team Championships for a substantial run, but the faction’s direction and booking remain contentious topics among AEW talent. Fans watching upcoming events such as AEW Collision and Dynamite will be keen to see how these backstage dynamics influence on-screen storytelling.

For continued coverage on AEW’s backstage developments, Hurt Syndicate’s booking saga, and MVP’s role, stay tuned to PWMania.com, Fightful Select, and Wrestling Binder podcasts. As AEW evolves in 2025, the balance between veteran influence and fresh creative ideas remains a key narrative both on and off camera.

This article includes insights from Fightful Select reports, Wrestling Binder’s JCup2013 Twitter Space discussions, and various industry insiders familiar with AEW’s backstage environment, aiming to provide a comprehensive and SEO-optimized overview of the ongoing MVP-related backstage tensions in AEW.