From flipping opponents in the ring to flipping the script on his career, the youngest and first Black WWE Cruiserweight Champion is making waves in the music industry, and BOSSIP has exclusive deets.
In the ring, Lio Rush is “The Man of the Hour” and his spotlight’s only getting brighter with even more accolades to come.
“Masterfully organic is how I would describe it,” Rush told BOSSIP of his evolution from wrestling prodigy to music artist and TV personality. “I started from the very bottom and I’ve had many ups and downs. My determination and consistency has gotten me through rough times. With those setbacks, I’ve been able to learn and grow and achieve more.”
That trajectory from high school All-American wrestler to Cruiserweight Champion was a pivotal moment for the wrestler who has a motto of “go hard or go home.”
“That moment meant everything to me,” he said of the 2019 title win. “It was my own ultimate seal of approval and gratification. I was extremely proud of myself because as a kid I said that I wanted a moment like this… and I was able to achieve that goal by grit, hard work, and perseverance.”
The discipline and drive that propelled Rush in NXT and now AEW, have seamlessly translated into outside endeavors.
As a recording artist, Rush channels his kinetic energy into vulnerable tracks, most recently with his project Feel Like A Giant. From turn-up tracks to soul-searching records, the five-track EP is meant to inspire a sense of triumph, with Rush aiming to make fans feel like they’re stepping into the ring wearing a title belt of their own.
“What inspired the project was me being proud of what I have accomplished and owning it,” he explained. “To step into this new chapter in my life.”
As for what’s next in 2025, Rush is keeping his options open and his ambitions high telling BOSSIP he’s ready to do “absolutely anything” he sets his mind to.
Listen to “Feel Like A Giant” below.
