Lio Rush Opens Up About “Backstage Heat,” His WWE Pay, More

Lio Rush was interviewed by Fightful and responded to rumors of backstage heat on him, speaking very openly about issues that are making him unhappy in WWE.

Rush talked about not being paid enough by WWE, considering all of the expenses that wrestlers have:

“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.”

According to PWInsider, WWE recently offered Rush a new five year contract in around the $300,000 per year range, but Rush turned it down, asking for double that number.

Rush also talked about the reports that he has heat for not carrying water and doing other menial tasks for other wrestlers on WWE’s European tour in November 2018, which is apparently some sort of “tradition” in the WWE locker room where rookies act as slaves for the rest of the roster.

“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.”

There have also been reports that there was an incident with Finn Balor where Balor tried to give him “advice” about how Vince McMahon wouldn’t like Rush’s wife hanging out during show rehearsals. Rush said that he and Balor are cool, but claimed that there is someone else in the locker room who hates him and is leaking false information to try to get him released.

“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 that flies backstage is ridiculous and I’m surprised more people aren’t speaking up.”

According to PWInsider, there was another incident during the November 2018 tour where a veteran wrestler (not Balor) tried to talk to Rush about his “issues,” but Rush told him that he “works for Vince, not you.” That veteran wrestler was later approached by WWE management after Rush complained about him for acting like he was above Rush. After that incident, Rush ended up being punished and was removed from the locker room briefly.

Rush also said that the “dirt sheets” should spread more positivity instead of negativity…

“These sheets should spread positive messages to the world but they only want to spread false, negative reports to damage someone else’s career. What’s wrong with spreading truth? Thank you for reaching out to me, and I appreciate you for doing that. I honestly do. I’ve never been about the BS or politics or anything else rather than showing up to work, doing my job and providing for my family. I grew up in the worst parts of DC, and certain things that I was taught will always stick with me and why I’ve gotten to where I am now in life. I realize that people will talk regardless of how much positivity you try and push out into the world.”

As far as where Rush stands now, there has been talk that he may be sent to NXT. According to PWInsider, Rush has on at least one occasion suggested that WWE release him instead so he can “show them” what he can accomplish outside of WWE.

Rush has also been pulled from WWE’s upcoming European tour, PWInsider says. He was backstage at Raw for the past two weeks but has not been used.

His contract expires some time in 2020.

Rush also posted these tweets:

Dirt sheet fabrications. Don’t believe everything on the internet https://t.co/nlcIkCsmNP

— Man Of The Hour ⌛️ (@itsLioRush) April 30, 2019

We aren’t “sent home” like naughty kids. This is a business and my job. We aren’t all used every week and story lines don’t last forever, but we still have to show up to work and take care of business. https://t.co/WCa4ZpAuk7

— Man Of The Hour ⌛️ (@itsLioRush) April 30, 2019

True. I’m saddened that dirt sheets (recently Fightful) make assumptions, exaggerations & sometimes outright fabrications, to sell subscriptions. Gossip like this is spread without caring about the damage to people’s reputations, relationships, or careers. It honestly disgusts me https://t.co/vdRUCZ35tO

— Man Of The Hour ⌛️ (@itsLioRush) April 30, 2019

( Part 1 ) “Heat” is such a subjective term. Do I stand up for myself when life challenges me? Yes. Do I have opinions & not just blindly follow? Yes. Am I best friends with every single superstar? No. But… do I work hard. Am I professional & respectful?.. https://t.co/tEf1WGLh59

— Man Of The Hour ⌛️ (@itsLioRush) April 30, 2019

( Part 2 ).. Am I driven and motivated to perform to the best of my ability to entertain the WWE universe? Have no bad blood with any other superstars, great working relationships with writers and producers, and respect and listen to all higher ups? ABSOLUTELY. https://t.co/tEf1WGLh59

— Man Of The Hour ⌛️ (@itsLioRush) April 30, 2019

( Part 1 ) I am not “out of the locker room.” More dirt sheet assumptions. Many spouses and family members come to shows and are welcome backstage. Our performance schedules are not just RAW, we have 3 live shows a week, travel days, and PPVs. My wife came to share my first.. https://t.co/OWVKb2wcC5

— Man Of The Hour ⌛️ (@itsLioRush) April 30, 2019

( Part 2 ) ..wrestle mania moment with me, as did many families of the WWE roster. The little time that a professional wrestler can spend with their family is rare and precious. I conduct myself professionally and respectfully and so does my wife. https://t.co/OWVKb2wcC5

— Man Of The Hour ⌛️ (@itsLioRush) April 30, 2019

I believe we are all able to carry our own gear and provisions. I treat others as equals and as a young black male have often had to fight for my own equality. https://t.co/lwdySHrGl6

— Man Of The Hour ⌛️ (@itsLioRush) April 30, 2019

Based on what he’s saying, Rush sounds like a guy who just wants to be treated with respect and paid what he’s worth from a company that makes a ton of profits.