NJPW Reportedly Gave Lio Rush Permission To Sign With AEW

Lio Rush recently took to his Instagram and Twitter accounts and announced he’s officially hanging up his boots and retiring from professional wrestling due to an injury he suffered that is affecting his every day life. Rush also revealed that he suffered the injury at AEW’s Double or Nothing PPV, but is grateful that despite the fact he got injured, All Elite Wrestling still wanted to sign him.

Rush then said that due to his contractual obligations with NJPW, he will be making final appearances for the company once he is healed, but for now, he wants to thank all the fans from the bottom of his heart and he does intend to step away from wrestling for good.

AEW CEO Tony Khan would then take to his Twitter account and issue a statement on Rush announcing his retirement from pro wrestling. Khan said that Rush is a great talent and he enjoyed working with him, and he absolutely wishes him the best.

Dave Meltzer mentioned on a recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Radio Program that NJPW gave Lio Rush permission to sign with AEW, but that they still set a priority on important dates such as shows and appearances. Rush’s deal with NJPW reportedly also allows him to wrestle on the independent scene as well as for MLW. NJPW reportedly had the authority to decline non-NJPW bookings, but they did not.

On this week’s episode of NJPW Strong, Lio Rush is set to compete.