Lio Rush Speaks To Grapsody About 2024, AEW, NJPW, More (Patreon)

He is a man of many talents, a Pro Wrestler, a talented musician, and a former competitor on the 36th season of MTV’s The Challenge. The Pro Wrestling veteran Lio Rush has been wrestling for nearly ten years, and Fightful’s Phil Lindsey and Righteous Reg of Grasody spoke with him in an exclusive Fightful interview.

The interview began with Righteous Reg explaining how Lio played a role in getting him into the Wrestling Media. Reg explained people did not know how to talk about Lio’s release from the WWE and the reaction people had regarding ACH and the WWE. Lio told Reg, “I appreciate you sharing that I played a role in getting you into this space. It’s pretty cool knowing I inspired you. People will not often say that when it’s not wrestling.”

Reg asked Lio how he had been doing mentally. Lio says, “If I am being honest with you. I’m not where I want to be, but I am getting there.” Lio also said that he is gearing up for 2024 and is still processing much of what happened in 2023, and things are moving in a positive direction.

Lio was asked about missing NJPW Destruction this past October; he said he got really sick and still does not know what he had or the cause. Lio said COVID was ruled out, and he lost 15 pounds while ill. He said he was throwing up blood and got a hernia. Lio said the flight from Japan to the States was “hell.” He noted he was initially supposed to stay in Japan with his family while working with New Japan.

The former IMPACT X-Division Champion was asked about his experience in the Best of the Super Juniors. He said wrestling in Japan is intense and believes it is viewed differently than in the States.

He said being in the tournament was the most fun he’s had in wrestling in a very long time. It was also a great experience and how the crowd grew with him. He said that people would hand them their babies. Lio believes he connected with the fans on an emotional level.

Lio was asked what he was doing to prepare for his in-ring return. He replied that he was doing a lot of cardio and working on injury prevention, such as stretching, massaging, and ice.

He spoke about his upcoming match against Myron Reed in GCW. Lio says going to GCW will be special. He feels like the GCW fan base embraces him with open arms. Lio said GCW was the first place he went to after getting released by the WWE in 2020. Lio said Reed is going to have a long night.

Lio was asked about the social media retirement jokes people make. He said people can continue saying it if they wanted to. When asked a follow-up question on whether it bothered him or not. Lio smiled and said, “Why would it? Why would it?”

Phil Lindsey said he sometimes saw clips of Lio’s tag match on AEW Dynamite from November 2021, when he teamed with Dante Martin and wrestled against Matt Sydal and Lee Moriarity. When asked how he felt about that match, Lio said that he would occasionally see the clip, too, and that match was something special. Lio said all four men aimed to put on an absolute show. He said he enjoyed his stint with Dante and said it’s good to see Dante return and be back with his brother, Darius Martin.

Lio said something that always stood out for him was working with Dante and how there was guilt because he knew Dante would be doing it without his brother. Lio shared that he lost his brother and did not know what it was like growing up with one; he mentioned that he grew up with five sisters.

When asked if he had goals for 2024, Lio said, “You’re going to have to wait. You guys asked too many damn questions.” Lio would add that he would not be doing it if he did not want to be the best.

Lio says, “He is the best, and to put him in the ring with the best.” When asked when we would see him back in Japan again, he said that is not a question for me.

The former North American NXT Cruiserweight Champion was asked if he had contract aspirations or was taking things day by day. Lio said he is taking things day by day for now, however, he said in 2024, the biggest thing he is looking for is stability.

In closing, Lio says you can listen to his newest music project, “No Time to Heal,” anywhere you stream music. Follow Lio on X at @IAmLioRush or on Instagram @IAmLioRush.