7 Times WWE Ruined Rusev

3. Fastlane 2017

rusev big show
WWE.com

When Rusev strolled through a United States Title defence against Zack Ryder at Battleground 2016, it seemed WWE had finally realised the error of their ways and planned to turn him back into a wrecking machine (there's another Rocky reference).

They hadn't, and they'd go on to let Rusev down badly on the road to WrestleMania 33.

After teaming with Jinder Mahal in a union that screamed "creative has nothing else for you", Rusev did the job for Big Show at Fastlane 2017 in just shy of nine minutes. Earlier, Rusev's pal Mahal had attacked him before losing to Cesaro. There was a small chance to promote a feud between both heading into 'Mania, with Ru-Ru playing the bigger star.

It's a shame then he was immediately written to stare at the lights for a meandering Big Show in under ten minutes, and roll into the proposed Jinder feud (which barely even happened) with zero momentum. Once more, fans were left with the impression that Rusev couldn't back up his big words.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.