In a surprising turn of events, WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi has weighed in on the controversy surrounding All Elite Wrestling (AEW) star Toa Liona being called a “wish version” of The Bloodline. The drama unfolded after Liona’s recent heel turn on AEW Dynamite, where he turned on his tag-team partner Swerve Strickland. The move sparked a heated reaction online, with many fans taking to social media to criticize Liona, labeling him a lesser version of The Bloodline.
However, Liona refused to be silenced, taking to Twitter to address the backlash. His response caught the attention of none other than Rikishi, a legendary wrestler and member of The Bloodline. Rikishi, who trained Liona at his wrestling school, offered words of encouragement to the embattled AEW star.
Interestingly, Liona had previously spoken about his training experience with Rikishi on Chris Jericho’s Talk Is Jericho podcast. The 33-year-old wrestler opened up about the valuable lessons he learned from the WWE Hall of Famer, stating, “He continued: [Rikishi] would always tell me, ‘You gotta be willing to take risks, bro. You gotta be willing to take chances.'”
Liona’s fans rallied around him, offering support and praise on social media. The outpouring of encouragement underscores the potential that Liona possesses, with many predicting a bright future for the talented wrestler.
Rikishi’s response to the controversy serves as a reminder of the respect and admiration he commands within the wrestling community. As a legend of the sport, his endorsement of Liona carries significant weight, and his willingness to speak out in support of the beleaguered AEW star is a testament to his character.
As the debate surrounding Liona’s “wish version” label continues, one thing is certain – the wrestling world is watching, and the youngster’s response to the criticism will be closely monitored. Will Liona prove his doubters wrong and rise to the top of the AEW ranks, or will the pressure prove too much to handle? Only time will tell.
