Shelton Benjamin is #AllElite.

The former WWE Intercontinental Champion made his AEW in-ring debut this past Wednesday on Dynamite. Benjamin defeated Lio Rush in a squash match.

During a recent appearance on the “Gabby AF” podcast, Benjamin shared his reasons for opting to sign with AEW despite having offers from other companies.

He said, “I did have a few offers. MLW was very interested. I was doing a lot of international things and exploring other options, in and out of pro wrestling. Acting is one of them. Even things like real estate and things not related to wrestling. It basically boiled down to, I like to put myself in the best possible position to succeed. When the door closed at WWE, I really thought long and hard about where I wanted to go. IMPACT was a very tempting place to go. What it boils down to is, I want the biggest possible audience. Outside of WWE, there is nowhere bigger than AEW. I don’t have as much time as lot of guys, as far as in-ring. Not that I’m going to retire anytime soon, but for the time I have left, I want to reach the biggest possible audience. What better place than AEW? There is no better place.”

Benjamin will face Sammy Guevara this week on AEW Dynamite.