Is Bobby Lashley’s Injury a Work? Major Explanation for Tama Tonga’s New Opponent Given

Something that seems to be plaguing the otherwise successful 2024 for the WWE is the number of injured superstars. With names like CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, Asuka, Rhea Ripley, and more sitting out on the bench, fans are worried. Ahead of WWE Friday Night SmackDown, GM Nick Aldis announced Bobby Lashley would be joining that list. He was set to compete in the King of The Ring tournament but now has been replaced. The question does arise, is this all a work?

With the number of stars benched and the little information on his injury, WWE fans are questioning what is going on behind the scenes.

Did the WWE not want Bobby Lashley to lose to Tama Tonga?

For the KOTR tournament’s second half of the first round on SmackDown, Lashley was set to face Tama Tonga. The newest addition to The Bloodline who made his debut after WrestleMania XL seemed like a perfect fit. Lashley has always been praised as a force to be reckoned with. Tonga has gained a reputation for being aggressive and strong. Fans were excited for the match on this upcoming episode of SmackDown until it was called off. Taking to his social media, Nick Aldis announced Lashley couldn’t participate due to an injury during training. While the severity of the injury was left out, he’s been replaced by Angelo Dawkins. Multiple publications ran with the story and all provided a reason; this is a work. Even fan speculation suggests that this is a work. But, why?

You’d be right to ask. The simple answer is that the WWE doesn’t want Lashley to lose in the first round nor do they want Tonga to cheat to win. So, why even set the two up in the first place?

WWE’s bait-and-switch with Lashley and Tonga

Since Tonga and his brother Tanga Loa joined The Bloodline, they have had to prove themselves. The WWE wants to build Tonga up but not while achieving a significant victory at the expense of a marquee star like Lashley. To get fans interested in the match, they pitted Lashley against the MFT of The Bloodline. Now, a day before, they replaced the former WWE World Champ.

If the match had gone through, fans would not have believed, Tonga would beat someone like Lashley. Moreover, the WWE Universe has also remarked that The Bloodline’s constant outside interference has gotten tiring and would make Tonga’s win look worse. With a midcarder like Dawkins, Tonga can win over clean and still prove to be a devastating force. What do you think? Is it a work or is Lashley really injured? Tell us in the comments.