10 Wrestlers Who Have Suddenly Vanished

4. Rusev

Rusev where
WWE

'The Bulgarian Brute' vanished at Royal Rumble 2020.

He and Bobby Lashley were both supposed to be part of the titular battle royal but each was pulled at the last minute, with the announcers explaining that they'd been brawling backstage. It therefore seemed a safe assumption that their long-running feud was set to continue post-PPV. It didn't, though: Liv Morgan vs. Lana became the storyline's focus and Rusev disappeared into thin air.

PWInsider offered the explanation that Rusev had been removed from television due to his reluctance to sign a new WWE contract. This was plausible, as barely a month passes without new rumours on the former United States Champion's wrestling future, though he returned to TV for a tag team match on 17 February. Since then? Nothing.

Dave Meltzer has since reported that Rusev is suffering from an injury, hence Rey Mysterio replacing him in Super ShowDown 2020's Tuwaiq Trophy Gauntlet Match. This muddies the waters somewhat. Is he hurting, in dispute with the promotion, or a combination of both? All that's certain is that he isn't on television at the moment.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.