WWE News: Former WWE GM Claims MVP & Shelton Benjamin Are WWE Bound

We’ve reported ad nauseam over the last couple months about how the WWE is interested in beefing up their roster in light of the recent draft and brand extension. The company promoted seven NXT superstars on Tuesday night to help ignite that process, but more reinforcements outside the WWE appear on the way.

We’ve refuted names like Kurt Angle, Goldberg, Rey Mysterio and Jeff Hardy. However, Hardy has apparently told several people close to him that he’d like to come back when his current TNA contract expires next February. That has opened up the door for the next tier of talent and several potential reunions for the likes of John Morrison, Carlito, MVP, Brian Kendrick, Tajiri, Jinder Mahal, Stevie Richards, Jimmy Wang Yang, Shelton Benjamin, Curt Hawkins, and Rhyno.

Earlier this week, the Inquisitr noted that Hawkins and Rhyno have been signed and sealed, and are awaiting their delivery to SmackDown Live. Mahal’s name is rather new, but it was confirmed that he and the WWE were engaged in discussions as recently as a couple weeks ago. And now, MVP and Shelton Benjamin are back at the top of the list again after a former WWE General Manager revealed as much.

As reported by WrestleZone, Teddy Long appeared on the Gerwick Report podcast, where he claimed that both MVP and Benjamin were on their way back to the WWE. Long said that MVP was in the process of getting checked out by a doctor and the former WWE superstar let Teddy know that Benjamin wouldn’t be far behind him. It is worth noting that both Benjamin and MVP are rumored to make their WWE comebacks at least once a year, but the source has never been someone like the former GM of Smackdown, Teddy Long. Still, MVP did go on Twitter to respond.

The same reports that had us at the draft? The ones that have us at the Rumble every year? "Reports"…https://t.co/v7mIbjX4lF

— MVP (@The305MVP) July 22, 2016

Both MVP and Benjamin are former WWE United States Champions and Tag Team Champions with Benjamin also capturing the Intercontinental Title during his tenure. A lot of the Benjamin rumors over the years have centered around the idea of reviving Team Angle along with Charlie Haas and Kurt Angle. Kurt has since expressed interest in managing the American Alpha tag team since the Benjamin and Haas noise quieted down.

It has been stated numerous times that the WWE is looking for former WWE superstars who can still go and are young enough to work a somewhat full-time schedule. The majority of their roles would be to help the younger stars get over and climb the ladder. While the likes of Curt Hawkins and Jinder Mahal are still in their 30s, age is not so much on the side of Benjamin and MVP, who are both in their early 40s.

That’s not to say they wouldn’t qualify to get back in a WWE ring, especially because neither has been working a full-time schedule recently and are probably more fresh than some of the current talent. MVP made his WWE debut in 2006, memorably negotiating his contract (in storyline) ironically with Teddy Long. Some of his most notable feuds were with Matt Hardy, Chris Benoit, and Kane.

Benjamin first graced the WWE in 2003 after rising through the ranks with friend, Brock Lesnar. He lasted until 2010, when he was released along with Jimmy Wang Yang among others. Both he and MVP toured the independent scene as well as New Japan Pro Wrestling, but with the WWE Draft initiating this brand extension, it opens up the possibilities for former stars to have one more go around with the sports entertainment juggernaut. The list continues to grow, and it’s certainly something to monitor during the first few weeks of the brand split.

[Image via WWE]