Lio Rush: I Want To Be The First Black World Champion In AEW
Photo Credit: MLW
Lio Rush is back in AEW and he’s got big goals.
After debuting in the promotion at double or nothing in May and subsequently retiring, Lio Rush returned in October 2021 and is now “LBO Lio,” focusing his energy currently on managing Dante Martin but he has major goals for himself that include becoming the first black world champion in AEW’s short history.
Speaking with Forbes, Lio Rush detailed all of his goals and the inspiration for his new character. Below are some highlights:
Lio Rush on his LBO Lio Gimmick
“I’m always investing, my interest in investing is always there,” said Rush in an exclusive interview.
“Whether it’s investing in other things, or investing in myself. I’m always trying to move forward, do better and grow. Anything that I do is always an extension of me in some capacity. Even stuff that I did when I was a manager. That loud, brash kind of person, that comedic factor about me. That’s in me. I’m not always like that, I’m a pretty cool, calm and collected kind of person. I don’t really talk that much, I think I’m an introvert, but it’s exciting to be able to show people different layers of me.”
Lio Rush on Working with Dante Martin
“I’ve always had my interest in working with Dante,” said Rush.
“I actually met his brother [Darius Martin] when I was in Ring of Honor and he went to the show as a fan, as a teenager. We took a picture and everything. So it’s pretty cool that it’s come full circle and I’m working with Dante in AEW. I’ve seen so much of myself in him when I was his age and he is even better than I was when I was his age. I had help when I was younger, but I didn’t have someone coaching me and taking me step-by-step and telling me what their experience was. I’m glad that I could be that person for Dante as early as he is in his career. Athletically, he’s amazing. I kind of can’t believe it.”
Lio Rush on a Possible Trios with Top Flight
“That’s definitely an exciting idea,” said Rush.
“Something that is a huge possibility whenever Darius comes back and he’s all healed up, who knows? Who knows what’s going to happen within that time. But if it goes the way that you want it to go—and I’m sure a lot of other people who are watching it currently—I think it would be really cool to have all three of us together, that would be pretty dope.”
Lio Rush on Representation Issues in AEW, Wanting to become the First Black AEW World Champion
“Representation, it changes lives,” said Rush.
“I didn’t have too many good examples of someone who can set the blueprint for somebody like me. At the time, when I was a wrestling fan, there wasn’t a short, Black, tattooed, dread-head guy who likes music from D.C. So the path that I was going, I was creating. I think that has opened up doors for a lot of people, but I want to be a world champion. I think I’m more than capable.”
“If I’m not ready for something, I’ll say I’m not ready for something. But I’m ready. I’ve been ready,” Rush continued.
“I want to take that step. I want to be that guy that everybody is looking at and say ‘Man, he did it. And he did it through the face of adversity.’ Because I’ve had some ups and downs in my career, and I’ve showed time and time again that I’m not someone who’s going to just lay down and give up on my passion and my dreams. I think that’s a good role model, just in life. Wrestling aside, to see someone like myself move the way that I move in life and inspire the people who look like me is a beautiful thing. I want to be that. I want to be that for everybody, and I think that I can be that. I think I have the mic skills, I think that I have the in-ring capability, I think that I’m a pretty personable and likable person. I think I’m real. I think I’m honest. This is a glass panel right here, I don’t hold anything back and I think that’s what a champion is and I want to be the first African-American world champion in AEW.”