Lio Rush Details How September 2023 Illness Affected His Career

Lio Rush has been one of the top names on the independent scene. His quickness and agility in the ring make up for his small stature. They also make for some exciting matches in the ring.

Rush has been quite popular among wrestling fans and has been busy competing as a free agent in IMPACT Wrestling and NJPW throughout 2023. He was on course to challenge for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship when he started to fall sick in September.

Rush took to Twitter to provide details about how he felt during the month of September. In his letter, Rush mentions that he still had the chance to become the IWGP Junior Champion.

He further stated how ready he was to finally achieve his dreams in NJPW. He said, ” I knew what I had to give up to make this tour happen. I’d have to give up my dogs, pack up everything in LA and move my entire family to Japan.”

Knowing that he could no longer move back and forth between LA and Japan, he had to go all in for this tour. “First, I needed to go alone and my family needed to meet me on the 2nd leg of the tour. 1st half of the tour was magical,” said Rush

Rush was having the time of his life as he got to work with Kazuchika Okada. He also took note of the love he received from the fans. “I was reminded of how beloved I was by the Japanese fans, the roster and how much they wanted me to stay,” recalled Rush.

Unfortunately, Rush fell sick towards the end of the tour and remained sick. He did not know what was happening and doctors advised him against bringing his family to Japan. With a temperature of over 105 degrees for several days, it was clear that he was in no shape to compete.

“I was sent back to America before my family could join me, ultimately leaving me without a title opportunity, homeless and without a deal that would solidify my stay in Japan. This is the month where I lost it all,” Lio Rush painstakingly recalls in his letter.

Lio Rush last competed on October 1st where he teamed with CHAOS stablemates Kazuchika Okada and YOHI-HASHI against Los Ingobernables de Japon. Rush is thankfully feeling better now and is open to taking bookings in 2024.

What do you make of Lio Rush’s illness? Do you think he should go back to NJPW? Sound off in the comments section.