Rusev Surprised By WWE Changes

Rusev has been surprised by WWE’s growth.

In April 2020, Rusev was released by WWE as part of budget cuts attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Not that he was out of the spotlight for long, as he debuted with AEW under the name Miro that September.

Despite promising much, Miro only won one TNT Championship before seemingly falling from favour and being parked on the sidelines. Miro was finally released by AEW in February 2025, more than a year after his last match with the company.

This paved the way for his long-rumoured return to the sports entertainment giant.

Miro, reverting to his Rusev persona, returned to WWE on April 21 and has spent recent months battling with Sheamus.

During a new interview with Denise Salcedo, Rusev discussed how WWE has grown during his time away, admitting he was surprised to see that level of progress when he came back.

“I was surprised. Well, it’s a pleasant surprise about how WWE has grown, if you would like to say that. To see the packed arenas every single night, oversold everywhere we go. It’s just something that before it was not like that. And that’s unbelievable to see.”

Rusev Heaps Praise On WWE Locker Room

The former United States Champion described the current WWE locker room as the best locker room that he’s ever been in.

“I see a lot of young talent, hungry talent. I feel like this is the best locker room I’ve been in since I’ve been in WWE or AEW. I love this locker room. And I see a lot of potential for me, for people to destroy in a match.”

During the same interview, Rusev said that he’s determined to win the World Heavyweight Championship after returning to the company. In an in-character answer, he said that after establishing himself as the best in the world in AEW, he wanted to return and conquer WWE.

Rusev is set to face Sheamus at WWE Clash In Paris on August 31 in a Good Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook match. That match will be his first on a WWE Premium Live Event

H/t to f4wonline