Real WWE Backstage Reaction To Rusev’s Shock Return

Rusev is back in WWE after five years away, but how has the reaction been to the former AEW star since his return?

Rusev was released by AEW in early 2025 after over a year of inactivity, along with several other wantaway stars as Tony Khan cleared the decks in his company.

Rusev had been expected by many to be Randy Orton’s surprise opponent at WrestleMania 41, but that slot ended up going to TNA World Champion Joe Hendry, who lost in short order to Orton.

One night later on Raw, the new World Tag Team Champions, The New Day, were getting ready for an impromptu match against Alpha Academy after a fair bit of goading from Maxxine Dupri. However, that match never got started as the lights went out. Rusev then appeared with new music, and as The New Day bailed from the ring, the former WWE US Champion viciously assaulted Otis and Akira Tozawa.

WWE Stars Lining Up For Rusev

PWInsider has reported that there was a warm reaction backstage to Rusev’s return to the company. So much so that several WWE stars have already expressed their interest in getting in the ring with The Bulgarian Brute.

Rusev’s first WWE match since his return has been confirmed as he will face Otis on the 5th of May. A vignette also aired where Rusev spoke of falling into the abyss after leaving WWE before redeeming himself as he put the Raw locker room on notice.