10 WWE Stars We Aren't Allowed To Like

6. Rusev

Becky Lynch
WWE

It's impossible not to like Rusev, surely, even if he's not quite the sort of incandescent worker that compels fans to hijack shows in support of. If WWE's remit is to "put smiles on faces", Rusev is The Guy. He boasts such an effortless, almost impish charm that you can't help but pop at the bloke. Whether it's because he gives no f*cks or not is irrelevant; Rusev radiates a genuine charisma that is, in a word, delightful.

He wears a "big smile out there", but doesn't look like a pained man who can apparently do Extraordinary things - though carrying Baron Corbin to something passable probably does count. Careful what you wish for, and all that. Anyway. Rusev.

Do you like Rusev?

Tough t*tties!

He is still a heel, possibly. He sort of organically turned face around WrestleMania season, though he was only added to the Fatal 4-Way match by teaming with fellow heel Jinder Mahal. He then lost to babyface AJ Styles, before entering a programme with heel Andrade "Cien" Almas. Ultimately, the Rusev character is uneven. He generates babyface reactions, wrestles selectively as a babyface, and may yet turn babyface proper once this endless Aiden English business has concluded...

...at which point, it probably won't matter. Rusev Day celebrations have died down because, as evidenced by the non-event that was Jinder Mahal's 'Mania 34 US Title win, WWE won't even let him have one day in the sun.

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Contributor
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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!