Lio Rush Reveals E-Mail He Sent To WWE Official Expressing Racial Insensitivity Concerns
Former WWE Superstar Lio Rush took to Instagram today to reveal an e-mail he sent to a WWE official back on November 9, 2018.
The subject of the e-mail said, "Objections to hostile work environment," and included Rush's comments on a situation he experienced coming out of a WWE European tour. The full e-mail reads like this:
"Dear [redacted], I would like to bring to your attention behavior that has escalated over the past 2 weeks. The situation started with a fairly mellow conversation with [redacted] after a bus ride he pulled me to the side and explained how it's expected as a gesture of respect for the new wrestlers to offer beers and drinks to the guys who've been here longer and ask that i also help carry coolers off the bus.
"I didn't think much of this until another conversation was brought to me by one of the [redacted] who re enforced what [redacted] had said and advised me that it was in my best interest to comply as well as telling me that new wrestlers are expected to help carry the older guys bags off from underneath the bus
"The situation took a more negative turn when [redacted] approached me about the same subject during my personal time, and added the warning that other wrestlers are talking negatively behind my back because of my unwillingness to hand out alcohol and carry other wrestlers bags.
"The situation drastically escalated at the bologna (Italy) live event 20 mins before i was scheduled to perform. Once again, [redacted] pulled me to the side in gorilla telling me that other wrestlers are continuing to talk negatively about me and advised that i comply with the demands of the other wrestlers. Further more he told me that a female wrestler had accused my fiance of entering the female locker room.
"The negative gossip surrounding my name has escalated to out right lies in order to damage my professional reputation. At no point did my fiance enter the female locker room or any locker room for that matter. WWE security were witness to myself and my fiance waiting in the stands pre show for 4 hours.
"As for the continued harassment to serve other wrestlers with beer and to carry their luggage, i fundamentally disagree with this type of hazing. It is not within my job description or contract to perform duties of this kind. I would like it to be noted that i don't consider myself above any particular type of task, when breaking down rings at NXT was apart of my duties, i performed all duties happily and professionally. However what i am being told to do here is degrading and unprofessional. I don't believe that any of us are above or below each other, no one should be asked to serve another person or carry their belongings, but i feel very strongly about this matter being a young African American male. I find these demands to be racially insensitive. I feel that my non compliance has resulted in a escalating harassment that i find to be unacceptable. I would like to discuss this matter with you in person as soon as possible. I appreciate your time."
That is the end of the e-mail. Rush was away from WWE following WrestleMania 35 in 2019 after reports of backstage heat with others in the company. It was said then that Rush's attitude had rubbed some people the wrong way, and that he was disrespecting veterans and some of the traditions in the company. It's worth noting that the "carrying bags" Rush mentioned in the above e-mail is something that goes back decades in the business, and generally has nothing to do with race. The same likely goes for rookies buying beers for the veterans.
Rush eventually returned from his hiatus in September 2019, to work the WWE NXT brand. He was released by WWE on April 15 as a part of the company-wide cuts brought on by COVID-19.
Rush issued another statement with the same Instagram post as the caption to the screenshots of the e-mail. The caption statement reads like this:
"For too long now I've dealt with a lot of bad publicity, rumours and stories on the internet that attack, not just me as a wrestler, but attack my integrity. The attacks on my character have gone on too long without my side being heard.
With everything going on in the world and a lot of social issues being brought to the forefront, I have to empower others by empowering myself. How can we expect change without sharing the experiences that illustrate the insensitivities that divide us?
Please be clear, I am in no way insinuating that the WWE is a racist company, nor am I commenting on the racial attitudes of any of the companies individuals. However, this email shows that I expressed concerns of racial insensitivity and my feelings as a young African American male to the WWE office during the incidents that have brought so much negativity to my name.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter – Martin Luther King"
You can see Rush's full IG post below: