Rusev has been noticeably absent from WWE television in recent weeks, prompting questions about his status following a promising return to the company in 2025. According to PWInsider, the Bulgarian Brute's absence is a deliberate creative decision by WWE, not the result of injury or disciplinary action.
The former United States Champion made his return to WWE on the April 21, 2025 episode of Raw, the night after WrestleMania 41, attacking Alpha Academy and immediately reestablishing himself as a dominant heel. His comeback marked the end of a five-year absence from WWE following his 2020 release, during which he competed in AEW under the ring name Miro and captured the TNT Championship.
Rusev's 2025 WWE Run
Upon his return, Rusev was positioned strongly on Monday Night Raw. He engaged in a notable feud with Sheamus that culminated in an "Old Fashioned Donnybrook Brawl" at Clash in Paris in August 2025, which Rusev won by submission. Following that victory, Rusev set his sights on championship gold and entered into a program with Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio and The Judgment Day faction.
The Last Time Is Now Tournament
Rusev was among the 16 competitors selected for "The Last Time Is Now" tournament, which was held to determine John Cena's opponent for his retirement match at Saturday Night's Main Event XLII on December 13, 2025. The tournament began on the November 10 episode of Raw and featured talent from Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and surprise returning stars.
In the first round, Rusev defeated Damian Priest to advance to the quarterfinals. However, his tournament run came to an end on the November 28 episode of SmackDown (which was taped on November 21), when he lost to Jey Uso. The match saw Rusev come close to victory, locking in the Accolade and hitting a Machka Kick for near falls, but Uso ultimately prevailed with a spear followed by an Uso Splash.
Last Televised Appearance
Rusev's last televised match came on the December 6 edition of WWE Main Event (taped December 1), where he defeated Alpha Academy's Otis by submission with the Accolade. The match saw Rusev work over his opponent methodically before securing the victory in the main event of the show.
Reason for Absence
According to PWInsider, WWE has intentionally removed Rusev from weekly programming while he is not actively involved in a storyline. The belief internally is that if a talent is not central to an active story, it is sometimes better to remove them from television entirely rather than overexpose them without meaningful direction. The goal is to preserve Rusev's presence and make his eventual return more impactful.
Rusev has not been singled out with this approach. The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins), who held the WWE Tag Team Championships from March until July 2025, have similarly been held off television for the same reasons. Ford and Dawkins last competed on the November 1 episode of Main Event. However, Rusev's situation has drawn more attention given the momentum he appeared to have regained late in 2025 following his strong in-ring performances.
KECH Pro Wrestling Academy
During his time away from television, Rusev announced the launch of his new wrestling school, KECH Pro Wrestling Academy. The school is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and is scheduled to open on March 1, 2026. "Kech" is the Bulgarian term for professional wrestling, representing Rusev's heritage.
The academy will offer training programs for both adults and children, including a specialized "SUPER KECH" program for younger aspiring wrestlers. Rusev has also announced advanced training sessions for experienced wrestlers looking to refine their craft. Operating under the tagline "Train like a pro – Trained by a pro," the school positions Rusev as a hands-on instructor drawing from his years of experience in WWE and AEW.
Royal Rumble Speculation
Rusev, Ford, and Dawkins have all appeared on promotional materials for the 2026 Royal Rumble, which will take place on January 31 at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While there is no official confirmation that Rusev will compete in the 30-man Royal Rumble match, his inclusion in promotional artwork has fueled speculation about his potential return at the event.
The good news for fans is that Rusev is not injured and theoretically could return at any time once WWE creative has plans for him.