Lio Rush Reflects On Backlash From His Controversial Tweet About Emma’s Release From WWE

Last October, NXT star Lio Rush drew intense criticism from several of his peers for a tweet aimed at Emma immediately after she was released by WWE. With her final televised matches having come against Asuka, Rush took Asuka’s on-screen catchphrase and took things a step too far.

Rush wrote, “I guess these are the things that happen when you’re not TRULY ready for @WWEAsuka”.

Rush quickly deleted the tweet and apologized for his mistake. Although Rush claimed there was no formal punishment, he didn’t appear at NXT live events for a month and on television again until January.

Though a number of people in the world of wrestling reached out to Rush at that moment, he wants to own the mistake and learn from it moving forward.

“It was definitely a difficult situation,” Rush said in an interview with ESPN.com. “I’ve worked so hard and spent years trying to brand myself and to show the world that Lio Rush is a top prospect in the professional wrestling world. So it was a bit rough to see so many people turn on me for that, but I’ve owned up to my mistakes.

“I have said my apologies. What else can you do? You live, you make mistakes and you learn,” Rush continued. “I know a big thing that I tweeted out shortly after that — ‘a mistake shouldn’t be your attacker, it should be your teacher.’ I’ve definitely learned from that situation. I definitely have not let that situation change the pacing of me succeeding in anything.”

Rush also discussed his passion for music, being recruited by William Regal, and more. To read the full interview, click here