Real Reason Rusev Has Been Removed From WWE Television

Things don't look good for Rusev at the moment. Here's why.

Rusev Starrcade
WWE

As reported yesterday, WWE creative has nothing for Rusev at the moment, with 'The Bulgarian Brute' bizarrely removed from television before resolving his ongoing long-running storyline with Lana, Bobby Lashley, and Liv Morgan.

The reason creative has nothing for him is simple: Rusev and WWE are currently embroiled in a contract dispute.

This is according to Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. He writes that with Rusev yanked from the old "love square" programme, "it looks like he never gets his revenge at the end unless his contract situation works out." Later, he reaffirms that the dispute explains why Rusev is no longer appearing on Raw.

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Rusev and Lashley were removed from the Royal Rumble in January, with the announcers claiming this was because they'd been brawling backstage. This suggested their feud was set to continue after the event. Now, there's a chance it may never see a proper resolution.

Barely a month passes without some kind of speculation on Rusev's future, so it's probably safest to take this latest story with a pinch of salt, though it was reported a few months ago that WWE had made retaining him a top priority.

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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.