10 Times WWE Has Dropped The Ball With Bobby Lashley Since His Return

WWE's booking has not been kind to Bobby Lashley over the last year.

Bobby Lashley WrestleMania 35 angry
WWE

Fans could compile a lengthy list of everyone who is currently underutilized in WWE and it's safe to say Bobby Lashley wouldn't be near the top for most people, even though he should be.

Lashley's last run in WWE from 2005 through 2007 was cut short for a variety of reasons and didn't fully encompass everything he was capable of. Anyone who watched Lashley in IMPACT is well aware of how exceptional he can be when handled properly, especially as a heel.

After the decorated stint he had there, fans had hope that he could bring that same style to WWE after over a decade away. He received a monster reaction from the fans in attendance when he shockingly resurfaced on Raw the night after WrestleMania 34, though it didn't take long for the company to squander any momentum he had.

It's been a roller coaster ride of a run for Lashley in WWE since then that has been filled with more downs than ups. On the bright side, he isn't damaged goods quite yet, though his recent rivalry didn't do a ton to get him back on track.

If not, it will be the latest instance where WWE has dropped the ball with Bobby Lashley over the past year.

10. Being Paired With Lio Rush

Bobby Lashley WrestleMania 35 angry
WWE.com

Bobby Lashley largely remained silent during his first run with WWE and for good reason. At that point, he wasn't the strongest talker, which was pretty evident during any promos he cut. However, he improved immensely on the mic while in IMPACT, especially after turning heel in 2016.

Apparently, WWE officials weren't watching IMPACT at the time (then again, who was?) and likely assumed he still couldn't cut a promo to save his life, leading to him gaining a mouthpiece in Lio Rush in the fall of 2018.

On paper, it was a pairing that worked. Lashley had been floundering for months and Rush was just starting to get over on 205 Live, so their alliance benefited both men. They clicked the moment they joined forces and wasted no time in putting the entire Raw roster on notice.

Despite their strong chemistry however, WWE never booked them to look like the dominant duo they should have been. Instead, Rush routinely acted obnoxious and served as a distraction at ringside, all while Lashley bent over and showed off his backside because... well, no one knew.

They teased tension in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania 35 and were split up for no real reason shortly following the event. Rush was then pulled from WWE TV completely, leaving Lashley to remain on Raw alone and directionless.

Contributor
Contributor

Since 2008, Graham has been a diehard pro wrestling fan and, in 2010, he combined his passions for WWE and writing when he joined Bleacher Report. Equipped with a master's in journalism, Graham has contributed to WhatCulture, FanSided's Daily DDT, Sports Betting Dime, and GateHouse Media. Along the way, he has conducted interviews with wrestling superstars like Chris Jericho, Edge, Goldberg, Christian, Diamond Dallas Page, Jim Ross, Adam Cole, Tessa Blanchard, Ryback, and Nick Aldis among others.