The news has traveled fast that former WWE star Rusev is set to return to the promotion, following a less-than-stellar tenure with All Elite Wrestling. The Bulgarian Brute, who wrestled in AEW as Miro, has not been seen on television in quite some time, and the excitement is building around speculation that he might re-emerge at WrestleMania 41.
The 39-year-old veteran had his biggest success in World Wrestling Entertainment, where he captured the United States Championship thrice. During that time, he went through several character changes, none of which ever truly took advantage of his talent. In the eyes of many fans and critics, he was considered a wasted experiment by a company that never truly utilized him to his full potential. He eventually grew disenchanted with his place in the organization and headed off to what were supposed to be greener pastures. As one of Khan’s prominent free-agent signings, most fans assumed he would eventually become the breakout star he was always destined to be.
However, that same trend continued in AEW, starting with an odd video game gimmick, and ending with a weird angle with his real-life wife, CJ ‘Lana’ Perry. None of it made sense to the fans, and it led to Miro becoming an afterthought with the audience. In essence, he became just another name in Tony Khan’s box of misfit toys, which led to him leaving the company in 2025. With solid reports of Miro having signed with WWE already, the Stanford-based company must try to avoid the same mistakes that stopped the Superstar from achieving main event status in the past.
What Will Rusev Day Be Like?
Former WWE Star Will Try To Recapture His Former Glory
The question now is: What will WWE do with this valuable commodity? At his peak, he drew huge responses from the live audience when ‘Rusev Day’ became a popular chant. Alongside his partner, Aidan English, he grew in popularity. Many believe he can capture that same kind of magic again. One of the most intriguing possibilities would be if the promotion were to reunite him with English, who has been an announcer for TNA Wrestling in recent years. With the partnership between WWE and Total Non-Stop Action, we may hear the golden pipes of English once again at The Show of Shows.
There’s no doubt that he will get a huge pop upon his return, but will it be as short-lived as the bump he received in AEW? Rusev hasn’t wrestled a match in over a year. The creative direction the company will take with him in his first outings will be fundamental to make or break his new run. So, will a WWE return be the ultimate destination or a total flop?
Rusev’s Time With AEW Was A Failure
He Was Used Rarely and in Weird Storylines
While with AEW, Miro had a celebrated reign as the TNT Champion with the interesting “Redeemer” gimmick, but he didn’t do much more from there. Supposed creative differences had him on the sidelines for most of his time with the company. Even when he was a featured player in programming, it was often in confusing storylines that didn’t fit his character. The addition of Lana didn’t add anything, either, as they found themselves embroiled in a love/hate angle.
Rusev has been noticeably quiet about his dissatisfaction with Tony Khan & company, apparently just sitting out his contract as many stars have also chosen to. He will be another part of the exodus from AEW – one that has seen performers reinvent themselves in a reinvigorated WWE. Names like Penta, Ethan Page, and Ricky Saints have benefited from a change of scenery. Rusev could very well do the same, given the right circumstances.
Fair or not, Rusev will bring a lot of baggage with him from his time with All Elite Wrestling, especially in the minds of die-hard wrestling observers. He certainly did nothing with the organization to boost his resume or raise his profile as a performer. So, in order to have a second life with his former employers, he is going to have to change that image.
How WWE Should Book His Return
It’s Time For a Rewind of Rusev Day
If World Wrestling Entertainment could somehow reunite Rusev, Lana, and English, they could recreate some of the magic those three stars had together. Rusev may never be a main event act again, but he could still be a valuable TV persona. But he needs the right personalities around him. His former ‘family’ would be a good place to start.
Almost every star who returns to WWE gets a huge lift as soon as they walk back through the door. The fans always love a good comeback story. But it will be up to the creative team to take advantage of that momentum, and Rusev is going to have to cooperate for that to happen. Positioning him with the right people is probably the proper formula for that.
One role that the former Miro (if WWE brings him back as “Rusev”) could easily play is that of the “monster heel”. He has the look, the size, and the skill to play that persona effectively on TV. It could also be said that WWE now suffers from a lack of genuine heels, which is one of the reasons why Drew McIntyre’s work shines so much. To build successful, money-making babyfaces, pro wrestling needs believable and menacing heels, and Rusev/Miro surely fits the bill.
It’s already been suggested that Rusev will be in Las Vegas during the weekend of WrestleMania 41. So the question now is, if he makes his debut during one of the two nights, how will he be presented? Will he interfere in a high-profile bout? Will he be a heel or a babyface? Will he be a part of a faction or just cut a promo saying he’s back and better than ever?
Most importantly, will the WWE Universe care? The landscape has changed so much since his departure that he could very well get lost in the shuffle among a veritable salad bar of stars. Or, he could just simply be on his retirement tour, seeking his last big paychecks and one more Rusev Day. It will be interesting to see how many more ‘days’ Rusev has on the calendar in WWE.
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