Lio Rush is here to remind fans that his reasons for leaving wrestling are completely valid.
Over the past few years, the topic of mental health has been magnified in professional wrestling. Wrestlers are actively speaking out about their issues and seeking help for said issues, which is something that hasn't happened much during the past history of the business.
In a new interview with Fightful, Lio Rush talked about how fans need to understand that wrestlers just need a break sometimes.
"I think it is called into question. Which is, I guess, understandable as a fan. But at the same time I feel like a lot of fans are so used to just seeing us do what we do that they forget that it’s so much of a strain on your body and your mental. We’re humans. We’re human beings. At the end of the day sometimes we need breaks and if we’re fortunate enough to be able to take those breaks, I think we should. I’ve never been shy to walk away when I feel it’s necessary to walk away. But yeah, I’ve seen some things said in the past about ‘his heart’ or ‘its frustrating being a Lio Rush fan’ and to that I just say, ‘Well, then you’re not really a fan. You’re not a fan of me if you feel it’s frustrating.’ I feel like if you’re truly a fan of me, you’ll understand and be accepting of the things I need to do in order to continue to do what I love to do. If I feel like I need to step away in order to comeback, then that’s what I have to do. I’m not bothered by it, though. I get it. With social media being a thing and being involved and such a thing and having the wrestlers lives be right there in front of you 24/7, but at the same time it’s okay. It’s alright. There’s plenty of wrestlers out here. I do a dropkick, the next person does a dropkick. I’m sorry if mine is
better and you miss it everyday, but I’ll be back. I promise."
Rush went into a bit more detail earlier on the interview, saying that people who make retirement jokes towards him are wasting their time
Rush also talked about his recent NJPW return in the interview, citing that he felt it was just the right time.
"It just felt right. For the longest time I felt like I was trying to seek out opportunities rather than let opportunities fall in my hand. I felt like that was one that I didn’t even have to think about it. I saw New Japan was going on in D.C. and I was in D.C. I had surgery back home. So I wasn’t in L.A. and it just made sense. Mentally I felt like I was at a point where I knew what I wanted to set my sights on and that being New Japan. It felt like poetry when I saw they were going to be in my hometown. I thought that was a pretty cool place to come back and tell everybody, ‘I’m not 100%, but I’m making my way to being 100% and when I am 100%, I’m gonna be giving 100% and I’m gonna be here.’ That was a pretty cool moment. That was a pretty personal moment for me and I’m glad that was able to be showcased and I’m super appreciative of New Japan to even allowing me to do that and then popping up on commentary for a couple of matches. Just being back, apart of the scene and feeling like I’m moving around again was pretty cool."
Elsewhere in the interview, Rush revealed that he's currently in the process of writing a song with Chris Bey. Click here to learn more.
