Rusev recently explained why he chose to leave AEW and return to WWE. However, a new report has cast doubt on his version of events.
Speaking on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet, the former United States Champion said he departed AEW in 2025 because he “wanted to wrestle more” and missed the grind of the road.
He described loving the packed travel schedule, European tours, and the repetition of town-to-town competition. “I wanted to wrestle. I wanted to mix it up with the best,” Rusev said, adding that the current WWE roster is as stacked as it’s ever been.
However, that explanation has now been publicly challenged.
Report Offers Different Perspective on Rusev’s Departure From AEW
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer disputed the idea that a lack of matches was the primary issue. Meltzer claimed the core problem in AEW was that Rusev “didn’t wanna lose,” which allegedly led to him being taken off television.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. The whole problem he had in AEW was he didn’t wanna lose so they stopped booking him,” Meltzer said.
He further suggested that while negotiations can happen with AEW President Tony Khan, “there’s a certain point you can’t cross,” adding that some talents may approach Khan differently than they would WWE’s Paul “Triple H” Levesque.
Rusev, who competed in only 36 matches in AEW from 2021 onward, maintained that his departure centered on wanting more consistent in-ring work. He also previously noted that returning to WWE was ultimately his choice.
As of February 2026, Rusev is active on the Raw brand. He could lock heads with Oba Femi in the near future, considering recent developments. Their program began after Femi eliminated him just 32 seconds into the Royal Rumble match. Furthermore, both stars engaged in a backstage confrontation on the February 23 episode of Raw.
Whether the full story is closer to a “Bulgarian Brute” grind or a booking stalemate, the debate adds another layer to Rusev’s latest WWE chapter — and fans will be watching closely to see how it unfolds.
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