Backstage Update On Rusev's WWE Contract Dispute

Are WWE and 'The Bulgarian Brute' finally close to an agreement?

Rusev WWE
WWE.com

If recent reports are to be believed, Rusev was removed from WWE television after Royal Rumble 2020 as he's currently stuck in a contract dispute with the promotion, birthing fresh rumours that he could be on his way out the door. The abruptness of this made it believable, particularly as the explanation that he and Bobby Lashley weren't in the Rumble because they were brawling backstage suggested their long-running feud was continuing.

Monday's announcement that Rusev will compete in the Tuwaiq Trophy Gauntlet Match at Super ShowDown on 27 February planted seeds of doubt, leading to the suggestion that perhaps 'The Bulgarian Brute' and WWE had ironed their issues out. These assumptions are false.

Per Dave Meltzer in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, that Rusev is booked for Saudi Arabia should be taken as a sign that the dispute has been settled, though the former United States Champion does have a lot of time left on his current contract. WWE is free to use him as they see fit for the foreseeable future.

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It's an interesting lineup for the Tuwaiq Trophy, with Rusev and WWE at loggerheads, AJ Styles injured, and Andrade serving a 30-day Wellness Policy suspension that expires the day before the show.

 
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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.