Rusev has been noticeably absent from WWE television in recent months, prompting questions about his status following a low-key return to the company in 2025.
The former United States Champion made his comeback shortly after WrestleMania 41, but the return did not come with significant fanfare. Despite early expectations, Rusev quickly blended back into the roster without a sustained push and has not appeared on WWE programming since November.
Rusev last competed on the November 21 episode of SmackDown, where he lost a tournament match to Jey Uso. That bout carried added significance, as the winner would advance in the tournament to decide who would go on to face John Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Following the loss, the Bulgarian Brute quietly disappeared from both Raw and SmackDown.
According to PWInsider, the former WWE United States and AEW TNT Champion’s absence is a creative decision rather than the result of injury or contract issues. Johnson reported that WWE has chosen to keep certain talent off television when they are not actively involved in ongoing storylines, a situation that has also applied to the Street Profits.
The thinking behind the approach is that when talent like Rusev returns, they will feel fresher to audiences rather than being seen as underutilised or directionless. Whether the strategy will benefit Rusev in the long term remains to be seen, but for now, his absence is part of WWE’s broader creative rotation rather than a sign of trouble.
When Did Rusev Leave AEW?
Rusev, known then as Miro, departed AEW in early 2025, when his contract expired and was not renewed. Miro had been largely off television in the months leading up to his exit before quietly finishing up with the company.
He returned to WWE shortly after WrestleMania 41, marking his first run with the promotion since his release in 2020.
