Lio Rush talked with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com after the Sapp reached out to him to address rumors surrounding his ongoing situation with WWE and “The Man Of The Hour” states what has been the stem of the discussion in regards to that.
Rush had a lot to say, including talking about WWE’s compiling traveling expenses and how he hasn’t been paid for Bobby Lashley merchandise sales that uses his catchphrase. Rush also addresses PWInsider’s report of his unwillingness to carry bags and water for the rest of the locker room during the company’s European tour (something that has reportedly been a norm in WWE). In addition, Rush talks about the Fightful‘s report that stated he had an incident with Finn Balor who tried to give him advice about not having his wife sit in during rehearsals for shows.
Lio Rush talks Bobby Lashley & how the travel expenses with WWE add up while making towns and live events:
“My issue has never been with Bobby (Lashley). Being with Bobby has helped the both of us out tremendously. It’s given me speaking confidence I didn’t know i had. I never was a promo guy on the indies. But being with Bobby made me a promo guy. My issue isn’t with my on screen role. My issue is the fact that I haven’t been on meet & greets with Bobby, haven’t been getting paid for merchandise for us that has my catchphrases on them. (I) have been sent to live shows and TVs and forced to pay for my own rental for 5 days as well as hotel while not making enough money to do so. Walking around broke in the biggest sports entertainment industry that there is while having two kids and a wife to support.”
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On the Finn Balor rumors:
“Me and Finn are cool ,and my wife has never been an issue. There is someone who works for WWE who has hated me since the day I’ve worked for ROH and now that they work for WWE they’re leaking false information to get me released. At a certain point, I have to defend myself so that’s what I decided to do. We’re all human, and we’re all grown ass adults. The kind of shit the flies backstage is ridiculous and I’m surprised more people aren’t speaking up.”
On not carrying water and bags for talent and trying to maintain his star power:
“It’s not about race and it has never been, but public perception is important to me and when we have fans that travel all over the globe and watch us get off of buses and into hotels, the LOOK of a black kid carrying waters and bags for other wrestlers is just not a good look, especially when I’m trying to portray myself as a superstar as well.”
Rush also said the reports of this nature are damaging to his career, and that news outlets should work to share more positive messages and spread truth. He said he’s never been about the “BS or politics or anything else” and instead works hard to provide for his family. Rush cited his background growing up in Washington D.C. and said some life lessons will always stick with him, and he knows that people will still gossip regardless of how much positivity someone puts out in the world.
