Lio Rush spent five months in 2019 on the sidelines due to reported backstage issues. Rush disappeared from television following WrestleMania 35 before returning to NXT in September.
During his time away, he focused on his music.
“Craved for Blood began during my time away from the WWE when my mind was in a tenuous space, all over the place, and that’s the vibe that created the song,” Rush told Sports Illustrated. “I went through a negative place, and I worked to harness that and put it in the song. The entire song is a code that people have to crack. A line that means a lot to me is, ‘These tricky minds deep inside, we all think alike.’ Every job has its stresses, and the entertainment field is stressful. People need to find a release. A creative outlet for me outside of wrestling is my music. This music video is my escape, it’s me escaping. People will hold you down in life if you let them."
Speaking to Fightful in May, Lio gave his side of the story, saying he was upset that he wasn't receiving his cut of the partnership with Bobby Lashley and was being forced to pay for his own travel, but not making enough to do so.
“I’m passionate, I care, I’m outspoken. There are a lot of people who feel the same way, but not a lot are willing to speak up. I don’t want to steal CM Punk’s catchphrase, but I am willing to stand up and be a voice for the voiceless. I speak up when I feel like something is wrong.”
After a run on NXT and 205 Live, Lio is off television again as he revealed that he is not comfortable wrestling during the coronavirus pandemic. You can find his full comments by clicking here.
