Daniel Bryan. Randy Orton. John Cena. Sheamus. The Shield. The Wyatt Family. Today's roster is one of the deepest of all-time when it comes to talented in-ring workers. Dolph Ziggler. Cesaro. Rey Mysterio. Alberto Del Rio. The list goes on and on. Rusev, unlike some comparable talents before him, is stepping into a situation in which he will have the opportunity to learn on the fly by working with some of the greatest in-ring workers in the business today. He will be mentored by the likes of Cena and Orton, who have been in every type of match imaginable and are the epitome of what WWE looks for in main event stars. They understand the main event style and have mastered working the audience. Matches against Bryan, Cesaro and Ziggler would allow him to focus on his straight wrestling skill and how to fuse ring work with his already-established power offense. Like The Shield and the Wyatt Family experienced from working with every major star in the industry, succeeding on WWE television is a whole other beast from what he accomplished on NXT. He will be guided by men who understand the need to establish young talent so that the future of the business is in good hands when they step away from the spotlight. Expect to see an ever-evolving Rusev as he begins to share the ring with the best the industry has to offer.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
