Rusev Makes Honest Confession About WWE Firing

Rusev was heavily featured as a midcard talent in WWE during his initial stint.

On the main roster, where he debuted in 2014, the Bulgarian Brute became a 3-time United States Champion.

He also spent a considerable time remaining undefeated, with his first pinfall loss coming to John Cena when he lost the US Title in his first reign after 146 days at WrestleMania 31.

His subsequent losses to Cena at Extreme Rules and Payback were labeled as ‘burials,’ adversely affecting his push as a top star.

In 2016, he allied with Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio, and Wade Barrett, calling themselves The League of Nations. Despite a victory at WrestleMania 32, the faction was disbanded on the April 28 episode of SmackDown.

Between 2017 and 2018, in what was Rusev’s highest point in his career, he often teamed up with Aiden English, giving birth to the ‘Rusev Day’ gimmick.

Despite being a heel, the Bulgarian got over the audience, as they cheered him and English. Their alliance ended a few months later when English attacked Rusev.

In 2018, he recaptured the United States Championship for the third time, which was also his shortest reign, ending in 40 days.

He was released from the company in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rusev Discusses His WWE Firing

Rusev’s WWE release came during one of the most difficult periods in humanity, as the world faced the wrath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With no other income source in sight, the Bulgarian wrestler began streaming on Twitch, something he self-admittedly loved doing before AEW came along.

During a sit-down with Chris Van Vliet on his Insight podcast, the 40-year-old was asked if he ever saw himself returning to WWE.

Only if I wanted to. Well, look so I got fired. It sucks, right? Nobody wants to get fired, especially in the pandemic. There was just something else. But I jumped right away, I started doing the Twitch thing, because I had the three months no compete and jump on Twitch. I had fun on Twitch. I was making money. I was playing video games. I was having fun. I was gaining my audience, little by little, and that was fun.

And then AEW came through, and I started wrestling there. The same thing. I just wanted a short contract, just to feel them out. Everything was great, signed a bigger contract. Then did I ever think I was going to come back to WWE? If I wanted to. I really meant that if I wanted to. If I didn’t want to, I didn’t have to come back. But I love WWE. I love what they’ve made for me, and I love how they’ve taught me since I was a young kid. And I just love the organization.