There was a reason Rusev walked off, and it had nothing to do with the finish.
Rusev has not been on WWE television since losing to Je’Von Evans on the July 27 Raw at the Intuit Dome. He took the pin off a Stunner and the OG Cutter, then got straight back up, rolled out, and headed for the back without selling any of it. Fan footage went around, and the read online was that he was unhappy with his booking.
Fightful Select has a different explanation. WWE Performance Center sources told the outlet that Rusev landed awkwardly on his neck during the match and his hands went numb. The referee asked whether the match needed to be stopped. Rusev wanted to finish it, and it got worse. The outlet was told that is why he rushed off, and that he is believed to have been placed in concussion protocol.
The clue was there on the night. A fan at ringside heard Rusev tell Evans and the official that his hand had gone numb.
He was given a couple of weeks off after the match, then returned to the Performance Center and came down with an undisclosed illness. Fightful Select reports he was waiting on clearance from WWE medical as of last week.
He is expected back on television this month. Sean Ross Sapp said on the August 25 post-Raw show that Rusev would be back in a couple of weeks.
Fightful Select broke this story. Read the full report and support their work here.
