5 Reasons why T-BAR & Mace joined The Hurt Business on RAW after WrestleMania 37

T-Bar and Mace have a new role
T-Bar and Mace have a new role

The RAW after WrestleMania 37 was a slightly underwhelming one, with not many returns, nor were there many big surprises. There was also an overall lack of storyline progression.

The two big questions were what the aftermath of the Alexa Bliss-Fiend incident would be, as well as who could challenge Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania Backlash.

While we didn't get a clear answer for the former, we did for the latter. Drew McIntyre defeated Braun Strowman and Randy Orton in a Triple Threat match on RAW to cement himself as #1 contender t Bobby Lashley's WWE Championship for WrestleMania Backlash 2021.

What was more notable, however, was the fact that T-Bar and Mace, formerly of RETRIBUTION, did MVP and Bobby Lashley's dirty work and attacked McIntyre to end RAW.

Here are a few reasons why the former RETRIBUTION members potentially joined the Hurt Business:


#5. To protect Bobby Lashley against Drew McIntyre on RAW and WrestleMania Backlash

Bobby Lashley making his grand entrance on RAW
Bobby Lashley making his grand entrance on RAW

Since Bobby Lashley defeated Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 37, WWE seemingly felt the need to conclude the rivalry in May. It's fair since WrestleMania wasn't going to serve as a proper conclusion.

At WrestleMania, MVP momentarily distracted Drew McIntyre to ensure that Bobby Lashley walked into RAW with the WWE Championship. The same finish can't be used twice, and Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander are no longer a part of The Hurt Business.

There needs to be another way for Bobby Lashley to get one over Drew McIntyre while also protecting the Scotsman. Having Mace & T-BAR as his henchmen is the perfect example of that.

While we're not sure if there will be a stipulation for the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania Backlash, the two giants will likely play a big role in Bobby Lashley continuing to retain and staying on as the face of Monday Night RAW.

#4. Mace and T-BAR are perfect as hitmen on RAW

Mace and T-BAR laying the SmackDown on Drew McIntyre
Mace and T-BAR laying the SmackDown on Drew McIntyre

As good as Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander were on RAW as a part of The Hurt Business, their size ensured that neither could take up the "powerhouse" role of the faction - that went to Bobby Lashley.

It isn't a bad thing, but using the two former RETRIBUTION members as hitmen on RAW is a much better way to go about things than their entire run with Mustafa Ali's old faction.


#3. To not waste Dominik Dijakovic and Dio Maddin

Mustafa Ali berating RETRIBUTION members for failing him
Mustafa Ali berating RETRIBUTION members for failing him

It will be interesting to see what happens to the RETRIBUTION members on RAW now that the faction has disbanded. Mia Yim (Reckoning) may have a shot at integrating herself into the RAW Women's division, while Shane Thorne (Slapjack) could go back to NXT.

Dominik Dijakovic and Dio Maddin are two top talents who should be utilized better, and hopefully, this is how they slowly remove the masks and introduce themselves.

#2. To start an interesting angle on RAW post-WrestleMania

Drew McIntyre and MVP
Drew McIntyre and MVP

The RAW after WrestleMania is usually where WWE has all guns blazing, but that wasn't the case this year. Usually, there's a great angle to end the show that helps keep interest in the program after the biggest show of the year.

This may have been WWE's way of generating interest in one of the main event matches of WrestleMania Backlash between Drew McIntyre & Bobby Lashley. It isn't the best angle to go with, but WWE seemed to limit their resources on the RAW after WrestleMania 37.


#1. WWE is truly done with Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin

Ivar putting the two former RAW Tag Team Champions to rest
Ivar putting the two former RAW Tag Team Champions to rest

There were rumors that Vince McMahon has given up on pushing Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin on RAW, and it now appears to have a lot of weight. After their loss to The Viking Raiders on RAW, they seem to be done for.

Mace & T-BAR's alliance with MVP, if anything, is affirmation that WWE is well and truly done with Alexander & Benjamin, which is extremely unfortunate.

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