And to test my skills up against guys like Angel Garza and Drew Gulak and Oney Lorcan and just veterans and experienced guys - it's been quite the experience for me just to test myself to see if I'm as good as I think I am. It's incredibly stacked, just top-tier athletes and to be able to compete in the ring with them - well known, independent talent that got scouted by the WWE to come to NXT and prove why they're there, to prove that they're the best wrestlers in the world. The amount of talent that's in NXT right now is absolutely ridiculous. It's been rough the last few matches that I've had, and in NXT or just in general since I've been back have been, I feel like, some of my best performances to date. What’s it like being able to do what you enjoy most in being in the ring and having so many great people to work with? You've been tearing it up with so many different guys lately including Angel Garza last week on television in a match that really got crazy. There’s a lot of amazing talent in NXT and in the cruiserweight division. SN: You’re back in the ring and focused on having great matches. I got signed to the WWE because I'm the greatest cruiserweight in the world, so it's pretty cool. I've been having tons of fun with it as well and just doing what I love doing and proving to everybody that I'm here for a reason. On Monday Night Raw, I was just strictly in a manager role. So to be in NXT with the second run and to show everybody what I can do in the ring is pretty cool, and it's been an incredible experience. I know that my first run in NXT was very short, and a lot of people, they weren't used to seeing me in the light that I was in. LIO RUSH: I feel like, with me returning to NXT, it was a huge opportunity for me to show the world, to show NXT, to show the people that have only seen me on 205 Live and Monday Night Raw and stuff like that, to show everybody that I got signed to the WWE because I was one of the greatest cruiserweights in the world. What have these last few months been like for you? SPORTING NEWS: Congrats on all of these great matches you’ve had over the last couple of months since we've seen you back in NXT. The ? will be watching and I’m coming for my title. But my friend, what you’re about to encounter this Wednesday on is a different breed. This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Sporting News caught up with Rush to discuss his NXT return, everything he has gone through these past few years, and his big championship match. to 10 p.m. ET on the USA Network - Rush has an opportunity to win back the title when he faces Jordan Devlin for the NXT cruiserweight championship. Wednesday night on NXT television - airing from 8 p.m. While he lost the title the following month to Angel Garza, Rush is finally back on track and putting on showcase matches to prove why he calls himself the "king of the cruiserweight division." Just three weeks later, he defeated Drew Gulak for the NXT cruiserweight championship.
The time off helped heal any wounds, and Rush made his return to NXT in September. However, there were questions as to whether he would get another chance. He was earning a reputation for having a bad attitude, and several WWE legends, including Booker T and Mark Henry, spoke out about him, hoping that he would shape up and take advantage of the opportunity in front of him. Rush needed a mental break from what had become an overwhelming situation.
That only lasted until WrestleMania 35, and then he disappeared. As talented as Rush was in the ring, his role shifted as he became the manager and hype man for Bobby Lashley to take advantage of his immense mic skills.