The uncertain AEW futures of Rush and Dralistico appear to be moving toward two very different outcomes.
The Lucha Libre brothers have both been absent from AEW television for months, prompting considerable speculation about whether injuries, contract issues, or other factors were behind their respective disappearances. Recent public messages from both wrestlers only added to the confusion. However, the latest information indicates that Rush’s absence is connected to immigration paperwork, while Dralistico could be nearing the end of his time with the company.
Rush may not be able to return to the United States and AEW programming until the beginning of 2027 because of a visa situation. Dralistico, meanwhile, is reported to have an AEW contract that expires in December, with signs pointing toward him potentially leaving when that agreement concludes.
The developments would mark a significant change for La Facción Ingobernable in AEW, a group whose identity has long been tied to Rush and the wrestlers closest to him. It would also create a situation in which Rush’s next major AEW chapter, whenever he is cleared to return, could look substantially different from his previous runs.
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Rush’s Absence Said To Be Visa-Related
Rush had fueled questions about his own future with a series of cryptic public comments. At one point, he indicated that he was not sidelined with an injury and suggested he might not wrestle again until 2027. That timeline naturally led to speculation that a contractual departure, a prolonged break, or another major issue could be looming.
The current understanding is that the timeline is tied to Rush’s visa rather than dissatisfaction with AEW or a physical issue. Bryan Alvarez stated that Rush’s prior visa had expired and that a new visa is not expected to be completed until the start of 2027. If that process plays out as anticipated, the new year would be the earliest point at which Rush could return to AEW competition.
That clarification is important because Rush’s wording had left the door open to a number of interpretations. A performer saying he may not wrestle for an extended period can understandably trigger questions about health, booking, or employment. In this case, the issue appears to be logistical and legal, but the effect on AEW television remains the same: one of the promotion’s most physical and distinctive luchadores could remain unavailable for a lengthy period.
Those familiar with the situation have also indicated that Rush is happy in AEW. That detail separates his circumstances from the concerns surrounding Dralistico and suggests that, once the visa process is resolved, Rush could be positioned to resume his place on the roster rather than seek a move elsewhere.
Visa matters have complicated Rush’s AEW availability before. In early 2024, Rush explained that his time away from television had resulted from a combination of injury recovery and visa problems. The latest delay appears to be a separate obstacle, but it reinforces how visa timing can interrupt momentum even for an established talent with a defined place in a promotion.
Dralistico’s Contract Reportedly Expires In December
Dralistico’s situation appears more directly connected to his AEW future. His contract is reported to expire in December, and there is a belief that he is looking to leave the company when he is able to do so.
The speculation intensified after Dralistico posted an AI-generated image that depicted him in prison. While the post did not provide a formal statement about his status, many interpreted it as a message of frustration about being under contract and unable to move on. Without an explicit declaration from Dralistico or AEW, the exact meaning of the post remains open to interpretation. Still, combined with the reported December expiration date, it has become a notable part of the broader conversation around his future.
Unlike Rush, there is no indication in the available update that a visa delay is the central issue for Dralistico. The focus instead is on the approaching end of his agreement and the possibility that he may prefer a fresh opportunity outside AEW.
It is not yet confirmed where Dralistico would wrestle if he does depart. Mexican promotions and the independent scene would present logical possibilities for a performer with his background and name recognition, but no destination has been established. Until an agreement expires or a move is announced, his next step remains uncertain.
A Potential Shift For La Facción Ingobernable
Rush and Dralistico are brothers, and their connection has naturally been part of how they have been presented throughout their careers. That relationship carried into AEW, particularly through the La Facción Ingobernable umbrella. Their shared history is valuable from a presentation standpoint: it gives the act a real family connection and a built-in sense of loyalty, volatility, and familiarity.
At the same time, the brothers have not always had identical roles in the group or in AEW’s larger creative picture. Rush has consistently been viewed as a high-level singles presence, capable of working an aggressive style, projecting intensity, and immediately feeling credible against leading names. His strongest performances can make him one of the most compelling luchadores in any lineup.
Dralistico’s departure, if it happens, would not automatically prevent AEW from using the La Facción Ingobernable name or from building around Rush upon his return. But it would remove one of Rush’s closest on-screen allies and alter the group’s configuration. AEW would have to decide whether to rebuild the unit around Rush, pair him with different partners, or present him more prominently as an individual act.
That decision may not need to be made immediately given the reported visa timeline. If Rush is not able to return until early 2027, AEW has time to determine what its roster and faction landscape will look like when he is available again. Wrestling plans can also change quickly, especially over an absence lasting many months.
Another Reminder Of Visa Challenges In AEW
Rush’s expected delay is also another example of visa issues having a direct impact on AEW plans. International talent is a major part of AEW’s roster identity, but work authorization and immigration processing can create unavoidable gaps in availability.
Ilja Dragunov’s arrival in AEW was previously delayed while he waited for a new visa. Rush’s situation demonstrates the same broader reality from a different angle: even after a wrestler has already worked for a promotion, a new immigration complication can place their schedule on hold.
These delays are especially disruptive because they are difficult to address through standard wrestling storytelling. An injury can be incorporated into an angle, a suspension can be explained, and a planned hiatus can be promoted as a storyline. Visa matters are less predictable and can leave promotions without a firm return date to build toward. For Rush, the reported expectation of early 2027 at least provides a general target, though visa processing can never be treated as a guarantee until it is complete.
For AEW, that uncertainty affects more than one wrestler’s booking. It can change faction plans, alter prospective matches, and force adjustments to a division’s depth. With Rush, it also means waiting on a performer who has the ability to immediately elevate the intensity of a program upon his return.
What Comes Next
The immediate outlook is clearer than it was when Rush and Dralistico’s social-media activity first sparked concern, though several key details are still unresolved.
Rush is reportedly content in AEW, but the expiration of his visa could prevent him from returning until 2027. Dralistico’s current AEW contract is reported to run through December, and indications are that he may be preparing to exit once it does. Neither wrestler’s next on-screen move has been officially announced.
If those expectations hold, AEW may eventually be left with a simpler but potentially consequential reality: Dralistico moving on, and Rush returning at a later date without his brother by his side. That could give Rush a chance to re-establish himself in a new role, whether as the centerpiece of a reworked faction or as a more independent force.
For now, however, Rush’s return is dependent on the visa process, while Dralistico’s future hinges on what happens when his reported December contract expiration arrives. Until there is official confirmation from the wrestlers or AEW, both situations should be viewed with the appropriate degree of caution. What is apparent is that the brothers’ paths, despite their longstanding association, may soon be headed in different directions.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.