Upon her departure from AEW, Big Swole spoke on her podcast about a number of criticisms she had with AEW. One of those criticism was the lack of diversity at the top of the card.
Big Swole Said AEW Isn't Diverse
In her podcast, Swole World, Big Swole spoke about the problems she had with AEW, “Their BIGGEST issue, which is diversity. I do not beat around the bush when it comes to diversity and my people. There is no representation, truly, and when there is, it does not come across in the black community as genuine. At all. I don’t know why everybody is so afraid to accept it or say it, but it’s not a good look. What happens is, you have this wonderful company that treats people like family, but there is nobody that looks like me that is represented at the top and in the room with them. They are not helping to necessarily influence decisions, but to explain why certain slang and certain word shouldn’t be said. There is no one else who can explain our culture and experience except for us.”
The lack of diversity was just one criticism Big Swole gave to AEW and Swole has since said she wants people to listen to the whole podcast and not just cherry-pick the diversity issue. The diversity issue however was the point that blew up on social media.
Upon hearing Swole’s criticism, Tony Khan immediately, and quite unprofessionally, responded on Twitter, shooting down Swole’s criticisms before outright insulting her.
“The top 2 @AEW execs are brown (me & Megha)!! Jade, Bowens, Caster, Dante, Nyla, Isiah & Marq Quen all won on tv this month. The TBS Title Tournament has been very diverse. I let Swole’s contract expire as I felt her wrestling wasn’t good enough. #AEWRampage Street Fight TONIGHT!”
Backlash Against Tony Khan
Khan’s unethical response to Big Swole generated a huge backlash against the AEW boss, this included Lio Rush, who had only signed with AEW just a few months earlier. Lio Rush issued a series of (since deleted) tweets demanding that Tony Khan apologize.
“I’m not cool with any of this sh*t to be honest.”
“If nobody says something, then I will. Because this is f**ked up and now I’m pissed.”
“APOLOGIZE. @TonyKhan @AEW”
Tony Khan never issued a public apology for his response to Big Swole however he did seem to have a talk with Lio Rush behind the scenes. Lio Rush spoke of this meeting on social media, he said, “I want this to be clear… I do not consider this to be a diversity issue, and I at no point have thought or said that AEW or Tony is racist. We can all clearly see that wrestling as a whole and the AEW roster is perpetually diverse. The issue at hand was a racial insensitivity issue.
“Having spoken to Tony and Megah, we have discussed the endeavors to further understand the struggles of the black community. I am grateful to be able to understand more about Tony and Megah’s own ethnic backgrounds and glad that they are actively seeking input from an African American perspective. I am proud to work for a boss and company that try to make these strides in social equality. I look forward to working with Tony to keep making steps towards positive change. I pray that 2022 is a year of positive change in all aspects. Happy New Year and GOD BLESS. #BeTheChange”
At the time, Lio Rush was in a storyline with Dante Martin and Team Taz, though he appeared to be replaced in the storyline on the January 12, 2022 episode of Dynamite, as Jay Lethal ran down to save Martin from a Team Taz beat down rather than Rush.
10 days later on January 22, Lio Rush posted on social media that he was leaving AEW, and that he will become a free agent a month later. He said, “On February 14, 2022, my contract will expire with AEW and I will become a free agent. For all booking inquiries, please email @LioRushNow@gmail.com,”
It is unknown how much the drama with Tony Khan had to do with his departure from AEW. Rush made statements that he and Tony Khan saw eye to eye after their behind-the-scenes meeting and Lio Rush is known for signing short-term contracts with wrestling companies and rarely stays with one company for very long. However, Lio Rush was brought into AEW to much fanfare and many thought he would be with AEW for the long haul, so Rush's sudden departure was a big surprise.