The WWE universe was dealt a significant blow when two-time WWE Champion Bobby Lashley was forced to withdraw from the ongoing King of the Ring tournament due to an undisclosed injury. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but it was serious enough to put The All Mighty on the sidelines for the foreseeable future.
Lashley’s absence has already started to have a ripple effect on the WWE storyline. He was originally slated to face Tama Tonga on SmackDown last week, but his spot was filled by Angelo Dawkins after his injury was announced. This has not only disrupted the King of the Ring tournament but has also raised concerns about Lashley’s long-term prospects in the company.
One person who seems to be enjoying Lashley’s misfortune is his longtime rival, Austin Theory. Theory, who is now one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions, took to Instagram to poke fun at Lashley’s predicament, sharing an image of The All Mighty staring at a stack of burgers. The jab comes as no surprise, given the two have clashed numerous times over the United States Championship in the last two years.
With Lashley sidelined, any chance of a highly anticipated match against Gunther appears to be off the table for the time being. The All Mighty had expressed interest in facing the Ring General, but now that he is no longer part of the tournament, the match seem unlikely to happen anytime soon.
However, one thing is certain – Lashley will not let his recent injury setback hold him back for long. His rivalries with The Bloodline and Carmelo Hayes are still simmering, and it’s only a matter of time before he takes matters into his own hands upon his return. The Bloodline, in particular, will be wary of Lashley’s wrath, having attacked the Street Profits after Tama Tonga defeated Angelo Dawkins last week.
Booker T, a veteran of the King of the Ring tournament, couldn’t help but weigh in on Lashley’s withdrawal. The 2006 winner of the tournament, who defeated Lashley in the finals that year, made a lighthearted joke about their past encounter, but beneath the humor, there’s a sense of unease about Lashley’s future in the WWE.
As the WWE universe waits with bated breath for Lashley’s return, one thing is clear – The All Mighty has unfinished business to attend to, and his rivals would do well to steer clear of him when he finally returns to the ring.
