Lio Rush Speaks Out After Reports Of WWE Backstage Heat
Rush has not been by Bobby Lashley's side in recent times...
After reports came out earlier this week suggesting that Lio Rush had heat backstage in WWE due to his conduct on a European tour last year, the Man Of The Hour has spoken to Fightful (thanks to them for the following transcription) to set the record straight.
"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," Lio told Fightful.
"(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."
Rush then addressed the aforementioned rumours of this alleged heat coming from his conduct during a European tour last year where he was supposed to have "blew off" certain duties that new members of the roster carry out: "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 addressed the rumours that he and Finn Balor had a bust-up backstage, blaming that rumour on "someone who works for WWE who has hated me since the day I’ve worked for ROH."
You can read the full interview here.
"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," Lio told Fightful.
"(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."
Rush then addressed the aforementioned rumours of this alleged heat coming from his conduct during a European tour last year where he was supposed to have "blew off" certain duties that new members of the roster carry out: "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 addressed the rumours that he and Finn Balor had a bust-up backstage, blaming that rumour on "someone who works for WWE who has hated me since the day I’ve worked for ROH."
You can read the full interview here.
Written by Ross Tweddell
Written and video journalist for Cultaholic Wrestling | twitter: @rossonrasslin | instagram: @rossonrasslin