• Tony Khan Comments On Lio Rush’s Retirement
After appearing at AEW Double Or Nothing 2021 pay-per-view on May 30th, former WWE NXT Cruiserweight Champion & current NJPW wrestler Lio Rush has announced his retirement to pro-wrestling.
He suffered an injury during the Casino Battle Royale match. He suffered an AC separation in his shoulder.
Here’s what he tweeted:
“I’m retiring from Pro Wrestling 🙏🏽. It’s been a crazy ride, but it’s time to get off and do what truly makes me happy. Thank you @AEW @AEWonTNT @njpwglobal for everything.”
He issued a lengthy statement on Instagram regarding the reason for his retirement at the age of 26.
You can read it below:
“I have written and erased this post so many times purely out of not being able to wrap my head around this. The moment I went home in a sling, I kept saying to myself, ‘this was like any other time I got a bruise or strain and I will shrug it off and continue on my new journey.’ Once the pain subsided and I started to feel just how uncomfortable it was to feel my arm hanging from my body, I sunk into an immediate and rapidly growing depression because I knew something was wrong.
Got the news that I’d be taking some time off due to injury. Me thinking it would only affect my wrestling obligations, I still tried to go on about my days as I knew them. I realized just how much this would affect my every day life. For anyone that knows me, you know I work endlessly for me and my family. It became more and more frustrating everyday finding little things I could no longer do. Like simply putting on a shirt and a much harder fact to deal with, not being able to pick up my newborn son.
Now here comes the part that has kept me up ever since Double or Nothing. Knowing I just made my surprise debut in one of the most exciting times in my career. That part sucked. But I’m grateful. Grateful for the opportunities that I’ve had this past year after my WWE release. So cool of AEW still wanting to sign me despite separating my AC in the Casino Battle Royal. Which would have led to me being the first person in history to be signed with two major wrestling organizations simultaneously. This is an unexpected turn down a road that I would have and could have never saw coming.
But I am looking at this as a blessing in disguise. Since the injury, it’s given me some time to think. Think about what I want in life. What I want for my wife and kids, and what’s going to make me happy as far as my mental health is concerned.
The timing of this injury has forced me to stop and re-evaluate and ultimately its resulted in making the decision to retire from professional wrestling. Thank you to all the fans who have fought it out with me for the past 7 years and the people in my corner. Thank you to all the promoters and friends that I’ve met along the way who believe in me and my vision.
This has been a great ride, but it’s time to get off and do what truly makes me happy. Due to contractual obligations with NJPW, I will be making final appearances once I am healed. But for now, thank you all from the bottom of my heart and I’ll see you all soon.”
AEW President Tony Khan issued the following statement regarding Lio’s retirement:
“Lio Rush reached out to me today, and he shared that he’d planned to announce his retirement from pro wrestling tonight. While this news was unexpected, I’m glad that he’s made a choice that he’s confident will make him and his family happy.
Lio is a great talent, and I enjoyed briefly working with him, and I absolutely wish him the best.”
#AEW wishes @TheLionelGreen all the best in his retirement! pic.twitter.com/znJNFbhu6o
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 9, 2021
Also Read: Did Mark Henry & Lio Rush Squash Their Beef Backstage At AEW Double Or Nothing 2021?
WATCH: Lana In A Lingerie:
• ON THIS DAY IN WCW HISTORY (June 9, 1997) – WCW MONDAY NITRO
On this day in 1997, Ted Turner’s World Championship Wrestling aired another LIVE episode of their weekly TV show ‘WCW MONDAY NITRO’.
It was broadcasted from the Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts and featured matches & storyline segments on the road to the ‘WCW The Great American Bash 1997 PPV.
The card can be found here:
Ultimo Dragon, Juventud Guerrera & Super Calo vs. Silver King, Psicosis & La Parka
Alex Wright vs. Chris Jericho
Akira Hokuto vs. Malia Hosaka
Steve McMichael vs. Konnan
Hollywood Hogan vs. Lex Luger
Jeff Jarrett vs. Dean Malenko
Roddy Piper & Ric Flair vs. The Outsiders
