Rusev’s performance at WrestleMania 42 turned heads for its intensity. Now, new details suggest the physical toll may have been even greater than it appeared.
Speaking after the event in Las Vegas, CJ Perry shed light on what the Bulgarian Brute endured during the Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match — and the impact wasn’t just metaphorical.
CJ Perry reveals the extent of Rusev’s WrestleMania 42 injury
During an appearance on TMZ’s Inside The Ring, Perry confirmed that Rusev suffered a noticeable head injury following the bout. “He has a huge bump on his head… I saw it… his bump was like this big,” she said, describing the aftermath when she met him after the show.
Despite the visible damage, Perry noted that the WWE star downplayed the situation. “I’m like, ‘Are you okay?’ He’s like, ‘I’m fine, I just grazed the ladder,’” she added. In true ladder match fashion, it seems the only thing higher than the stakes was the risk — and Rusev took both head-on.
Perry further explained the physical reality of such matches. “He’s okay… as okay as you can be after a ladder match… their bodies have been through war,” she said, reinforcing the toll taken in one of WWE’s most dangerous stipulations.
The match itself took place on April 19 at Allegiant Stadium. Rusev competed against Penta, Rey Mysterio, Je’Von Evans, Dragon Lee, and JD McDonagh. Penta ultimately secured the victory, leaving Rusev empty-handed despite a dominant showing in the build-up.
This contest marked a significant moment in Rusev’s WWE return run. Especially because it was one of his first major ladder matches on that stage. Leading into WrestleMania, he had positioned himself as the most dangerous competitor in the field. However, even the strongest can’t always climb out unscathed.
Perry, who remains active in WWE-related media appearances, was not ringside but has continued to support Rusev’s journey closely.
With WrestleMania 42 now in the rearview, attention turns to recovery — because in ladder matches, the bumps don’t just come during the fall, they stick around long after the bell.
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