Rusevs AEW run started with a bangbut it ended in silence.
After a brief stint as TNT Champion, the former WWE star disappeared from AEW television, leading to fan speculation and frustration. Now back in WWE, Rusev is opening up about that frustrating stretch in AEW that nearly derailed his career.
During a conversation with CBS Sports, Rusev didnt directly confirm or deny rumors that he was pulled from AEW TV for refusing to lose. Instead, he focused on the emotional toll of being stuck on the sidelines while his bodyand passionsat idle.
That prolonged absence forced Rusev to confront his identity outside of the ring. Without creative direction or a production team guiding him, he felt cast into a voidone that he had to climb out of alone.
With the support of his wife, C.J. Perry, Rusev channeled that frustration into something new. He created The Redeemer, a darker, more introspective version of himself that reflected his real-life hunger for meaning.
Now back in WWE and attempting to chase the Intercontinental Championship, Rusev isnt just backhes focused on reclaiming his time. While he still hasnt addressed the AEW benching rumors directly, his words make it clear: that dead time still lingers in his memory. AEW may have put him on ice, but Rusev came out sharper.
Do you think AEW wasted Rusevs potential? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
