WWE SmackDown: Ranking All 9 New Roster Additions From Worst To Best

While we saw a "Lana: Coming Soon" vignette to suggest that Rusev's wife may be breaking out on her own, now that the pair are officially SmackDown talent, we're going to operate under the assumption that the two will still be functioning as a couple.

Rusev felt like a can't-miss superstar just a few short years ago, but things have changed for the talented Bulgarian Brute. As he rode a tank to the ring to take on John Cena at WrestleMania 31, excitement stirred in the Universe at the seemingly limitless potential Rusev brought to the table.

But somewhere along the line that all fell apart, whether due to Vince's wandering attention span or some perceived slight on the couple's part. It felt like every other week there was a story breaking regarding Lana having heat for one inane reason after another, even though the lovers adamantly denied the reports.

Rusev has proven himself to be as charismatic outside of the ring as he is in it, and his turn as Big Bartholomew on Southpaw Regional Wrestling farmed his way into our hearts. Frustration is setting in among his legions of fans who want more of and for the big man.

He was floundering on Raw, cycling through feuds with almost every possible opponent, and it was past time for a change of scenery. Whether Lana remains by his side, becomes a character of her own in the Women's division or pulls off a mixture of both remains to be seen - although at this point it would be silly to ask fans to forget the two are romantically linked.

There's real potential here for a push to the main event scene if SmackDown gets behind him the same way they have a guy like Baron Corbin, and pitting Rusev against fresh rivals, possibly even as a face, is an enticing prospect.