Former AEW Star Explains His Departure From The Company

AEW

A former AEW star has explained his departure from the company.

At AEW Double Or Nothing 2021, Lio Rush debuted for All Elite Wrestling as the Joker entrant in the Casino Battle Royale. However, he decided to briefly retire from wrestling shortly thereafter.

Rush eventually returned and signed a contract with AEW in September of that year and made his debut in November.

After working four matches for the promotion, Rush became a free agent in February 2022 when his contract expired. He would then debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Appearing on a K&S WrestleFest stream on Facebook, the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion explained his AEW departure. Explaining the factors that led to his departure including how the company wanted to present him, he said:

“I feel like AEW clearly had a plan for me. I was presented a certain way. They had the vignettes and everything.”

“So they knew what to do with me in terms of a plan they had. Was it what I saw for myself in the company? Probably not.”

“I just came from being a manager on TV. Probably the last thing I would want to do is transition over and do a similar role.”

Lio Rush was signed with WWE from 2017 to 2020 when he was released during mass budget cuts at the beginning of the pandemic. After his AEW stint, Rush made his way to Japan to compete in and win NJPW’s Super Junior Tag League alongside YOH.

The 28-year old is now scheduled to face Hiromu Takahashi for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on March 21 at the New Japan Cup 2023 Finals.

Transcription via Wrestling Inc.

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• departure
• Lio Rush
• NJPW
• AEW

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