Rusev airs frustration with AEW run: "Unable to do what I love"

Former AEW TNT Champion, Rusev [Image Credits: WWE
Former AEW TNT Champion, Rusev [Image Credits: wwe.com]

WWE Superstar Rusev has shared his thoughts on his AEW run during a recent interview. The Bulgarian Brute left the Tony Khan-led company to return to the sports entertainment juggernaut earlier this year.

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This past February, it was reported that the former Miro was parting ways with All Elite Wrestling after a hiatus that lasted over a year. The Redeemer hadn't wrestled in an AEW ring since defeating Andrade El Idolo at Worlds End 2023. News broke around September last year that the former TNT Champion had asked the company for his release. Shortly after leaving the Jacksonville-based promotion, Rusev returned to WWE on an episode of Monday Night RAW in April.

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During a recent interview with CBS Sports, the 39-year-old was asked about rumors that suggested that he was kept away from AEW programming for supposedly refusing to lose to fellow talent. Without explicitly addressing the point in question, Rusev responded by discussing how he felt being sidelined for long periods, which he contrasted with his much busier schedule from years earlier.

“In the past five years, I have had 20 or 30 matches. Back in the day, I had 30 matches in 30 days... The dead time sticks out the most. We only have this body and age for so long. We can’t do this job forever, so we must take advantage of it while we’re young. I sat on the sidelines for so long, unable to do what I love, which is performing for people in professional wrestling.” [H/T - Ringside News]
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Rusev and another former AEW name lost a WWE title match this Saturday

WWE hosted the latest edition of Saturday Night's Main Event this weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah. The show featured a Triple Threat Match for the Intercontinental Title, which saw Dominik Mysterio defending his belt against Penta and Rusev. The Judgment Day member managed to retain his championship by taking recourse to several heel tactics and distractions, ultimately winning by pinning Rusev.

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Dominik Mysterio defeated former AEW stars Penta and Rusev at WWE SNME [Image via @WWE on X]
Dominik Mysterio defeated former AEW stars Penta and Rusev at WWE SNME [Image via @WWE on X]

It remains to be seen how The Bulgarian Brute will respond to his recent loss on WWE's upcoming programming.

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Edited by Anurag Mukherjee
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