Lio Rush Confirms AEW Departure

The Man Of The Hour has confirmed he'll depart AEW when his current contract expires.

by Andy H Murray
Lio Rush
AEW

Lio Rush has announced he will become a free agent when his All Elite Wrestling contract expires on 14 February.

The 27-year-old tweeted the news a few hours ago, providing an email address for booking inquiries:-

Following Rush's tweet, Fightful Select reported that some AEW personnel had learned that Lio wouldn't be staying with the company at last night's Rampage tapings in Washington, DC. Rush hasn't been seen backstage since December, with one of the outlet's sources stating that while 'The Man of the Hour' had been scheduled for another December appearance after this, it ended up not happening.

Lio is yet to comment further on his release. There is currently no word on the circumstances leading to him becoming a free agent upon his contract's expiration, or if an extension was ever in the works.

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Rush debuted for AEW as the Joker in Double Or Nothing 2021's Casino Battle Royale, though he suffered a shoulder injury while competing. He announced his pro wrestling retirement shortly afterwards but had a change of heart, eventually signing with AEW in late September, becoming embroiled in the Dante Martin vs. Team Taz storyline. His last AEW match came on the 8 December episode of Dynamite.

Outside of AEW, Rush works for NJPW's United States imprint, STRONG, as well as keeping a regular indie schedule.

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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.