Former WWE Champion Returns To Wrestling At GCW Homecoming

Retirement was put on hold for this ex-WWE star this weekend...

Lio Rush GCW
GCW/FITE

Former WWE star Lio Rush returned to professional wrestling at this weekend's Game Changer Wrestling Homecoming event in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The one-time NXT Cruiserweight Champion attacked AEW's Joey Janela at the end of the Homecoming two-parter's first night, setting up a bout with 'The Bad Boy' on Sunday. Rush's surprise appearance drew a great response from the crowd, many of whom would have stuck around to watch Lio and Janela reprise their old indie rivalry the following night, with GCW billing it as Rush's "retirement match."

Lio had spent the weeks leading up to his surprise reveal teasing a "final match." He lost to Janela then cut a promo, thanking Joey, though 'The Bad Boy' claimed he wasn't going to allow 'The Man of the Hour' to retire. Rush then left after thanking everybody in attendance, leaving observers unsure of whether or not he has actually retired.

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Rush was one of the dozens of WWE wrestlers and other independent contractors released or furloughed as part of the mass Black Wednesday cuts on 15 April, and had previously teased stepping away from wrestling to concentrate on his music career.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.