Ex-AEW Star Makes Shock Return After Controversial Exit
The Forbidden Door is well and truly open in AEW as one former star returned on Dynamite despite a very public falling out with Tony Khan.
Forbidden Door is just around the corner for AEW, NJPW, and, for the first time, CMLL, and Dynamite saw plenty of happenings with major consequences for the PPV which takes place on June 30th.
One challenger from outside AEW confronted Mercedes Mone after she competed in her first match on Dynamite and Swerve Strickland now knows he’ll have to put his AEW World Championship on the line against Will Ospreay in the UBS Arena.
On Dynamite in Los Angeles, Will Ospreay earned that title shot by winning a Casino Gauntlet match that featured stars from AEW, NJPW, and CMLL. Ospreay was joined in the match by PAC, Jay White, Claudio Castagnoli, Orange Cassidy, Hechicero, Mistico, Shota Umino, and Lio Rush. And it’s that last name that might have raised eyebrows of long-time AEW fans.
Lio Rush Left AEW Under A Cloud
Lio Rush debuted with AEW at Double or Nothing in May 2021, where he was revealed as the Joker entrant in the Casino Battle Royale. However, he soon announced his retirement from the ring after sustaining an arm injury. However, after several months on the shelf, Rush officially signed with AEW in late September and made regular appearances on Dynamite and Rampage.
Lio Rush was one of the most high-profile voices who criticised AEW President Tony Khan after his public spat with former AEW star Big Swole.
Rush demanded an apology from Khan on Twitter before later issuing a statement where he explained that he has since spoken to Tony Khan and former AEW Head of Legal Megah Parekh and discussed their “endeavours to further understand the struggles of the black community”. He also said that he is proud to work for Khan and AEW.
However in February 2022, just five months after he signed his AEW deal, the former WWE star announced that he was leaving the company. Since his exit, Rush has rebuilt his career in NJPW.