WWE Spoilers: Update on Where Rusev Is & When He Will Return

Rusev has been away from the WWE for three months now. (WWE.com)

At Money in the Bank 2017, Lana went up against Naomi in the ring, but those in the arena were mainly focused on Lana’s real-life husband, chanting, “We want Rusev!” So where, exactly, is the Bulgarian Brute? And when will he return?

Rusev has been gone since early March due to a legitimate injury. He received shoulder injury a few months ago, with this being surgery he needed for a few months. Back in April, Lana said that Rusev would be out for another two to four months, placing his return sometime between June and August.

Then, in late April, Rusev appeared via satellite on an episode of SmackDown Live, saying that he would not return unless he was given a match at Money in the Bank. This did not happen, and so on May 9th, Rusev posted a video message on Twitter saying that he would be on SmackDown Live the following week.

But the following week’s SmackDown Live episode came and went, and Rusev did not show up. He subsequently claimed he wasn’t there because there was a hockey game, but the WWE probably just couldn’t work him into the program.

On May 23rd, Rusev again indicated on Twitter that he was going to be on SmackDown, posting that there was no hockey game that night and so he would be free. But once again, Rusev did not show up on SmackDown Live, and the hints of his return were quickly dropped.

Rusev was reportedly originally going to challenge Randy Orton for the WWE World Championship, and that’s where all these hints were leading. But these plans were altered when it was decided that Jinder Mahal would win the title.

Cageside Seats reported this past week that Rusev has been cleared to return, and he is expected to be back this Tuesday on SmackDown Live. It remains to be seen whether Rusev will still be paired with Lana in storylines and whether he will still challenge the WWE World Champion.

Brendan Morrow is a Heavy contributor who covers news, politics, professional wrestling, and more. He has previously written about film for Bloody Disgusting, We Got This Covered, What Culture, and The Celebrity Cafe. Follow him on twitter @brendanmorrow.
June 18, 2017 9:20 pm