Rusev credited WWE legends John Cena and Big Show for teaching him valuable lessons during his career.
Rusev built an impressive career in WWE and AEW, where he became United States Champion. He also had intense rivalries with John Cena, Nic Nemeth, Roman Reigns, and Bobby Lashley. However, WWE released him in April 2020 that year, he debuted in AEW as Miro and went on to win the TNT Championship.
He stayed with the company until early 2025 before making his return to WWE following WrestleMania 41. Since coming back, Rusev has attacked stars like Otis and Akira Tozawa. Currently, he has been locked in a heated rivalry with former WWE Champion Sheamus.
Despite his success in both WWE and AEW, Rusev now has his sights set on capturing a world championship in WWE. In a new interview with Denise Salcedo, he explained that his time in AEW helped him realize his full potential. He said, “I learned that I’m the best in the world. I was there for a few years. I beat up quite a few people, and I gained my confidence way more than I had before in WWE, all the experience from the years before.”
He also credited John Cena and Big Show saying, “What I’ve been taught by John Cena, by the Big Show, by all these great, amazing superstars that I fought in WWE. I had to put to the test when I was in AEW. I had to use everything I’ve learned. After I did that, after I experimented, after I saw that I’m the best one there, I thought it was time to come back, no doubt, because I still have the goal to be a World Heavyweight Champion here in WWE.” [H/T: Fightful]
At WWE Clash in Paris, Rusev defeated Sheamus in a Good Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook match, potentially ending their rivalry. With Sheamus out of the way, Rusev’s path toward a world championship now appears much clearer.
