5 Most Insane Things Happening In Wrestling Right Now (April 18)

1. What The F*ck Is Going On With Rusev?

Rusev Wutka II
WWE

The prospect of Rusev working The Undertaker in a Casket Match in Saudi Arabia, in 2018, was an insane enough development.

Then, WWE machka'd the internet by dropping Rusev from the bout and replacing him with Chris Jericho. Rumours ran wild: was Ru-Ru's "bury me softly, brother" tweet an in-joke too far? Was the whole thing orchestrated to create groundswell support for a man already over as a babyface as a result of a groundswell of support? Why is the match now back on?

The whole thing is really confusing which, cynically, might be the point. WWE is obsessed with working everybody, since WrestleMania, and this is likely the latest, weirdest assault on the senses and the sensible. You'd think WWE must know what they have with Rusev - a man capable of delivering in-ring brilliance and top banter - but then, this is the same WWE who this week scripted its top babyface (who is a heel) to call somebody overweight on TV this week. It would be sensible to simply respond to the support Rusev has generated, and position him on the card accordingly.

Instead, Rusev is held back for his likability, because it is a concept alien to his boss. It is that simple, and that bloody depressing. Or, as Dave Meltzer theorised on a recent Wrestling Observer Radio, Vince simply changed his mind.

So who the f*ck knows.

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Contributor
Contributor

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 surefire Undisputed WWE Universal 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!