Report: Reason Rusev Did Not Appear On WWE Raw Revealed
He seemingly doesn't want to be stockpiled...
On this week's episode of Monday Night Raw, former United States Champion Rusev was conspicuous by his absence. The Bulgarian Brute has been involved in one of WWE's most high profile storylines over the last six months feuding with his ex-wife Lana and her new squeeze Bobby Lashley.
As Lashley was involved in the Triple Threat match to determine the number one contender for the WWE Championship, many expected Rusev to attack The All Mighty to prevent him from winning the match. Ultimately, The Authors Of Pain attacked Lashley instead. The Bashing Bulgarian also did not provide moral support for Liv Morgan in her match with Lana, which led fans to speculate that the long term storyline had suddenly ended.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that this could indeed be the case as Rusev has been taken off TV because of a contract dispute with WWE. The company made re-signing the former United States Champion one of their top priorities in the new year, but this has seemingly only caused both parties to become embittered with one another, and Rusev now finds himself sitting at home.
For the avoidance of doubt, Meltzer wrote: "There should be a Rusev-Lashley blow-off after all that build, but Rusev has been taken off TV so it looks like he never gets his revenge at the end unless his contract situation works out."
As Lashley was involved in the Triple Threat match to determine the number one contender for the WWE Championship, many expected Rusev to attack The All Mighty to prevent him from winning the match. Ultimately, The Authors Of Pain attacked Lashley instead. The Bashing Bulgarian also did not provide moral support for Liv Morgan in her match with Lana, which led fans to speculate that the long term storyline had suddenly ended.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that this could indeed be the case as Rusev has been taken off TV because of a contract dispute with WWE. The company made re-signing the former United States Champion one of their top priorities in the new year, but this has seemingly only caused both parties to become embittered with one another, and Rusev now finds himself sitting at home.
For the avoidance of doubt, Meltzer wrote: "There should be a Rusev-Lashley blow-off after all that build, but Rusev has been taken off TV so it looks like he never gets his revenge at the end unless his contract situation works out."
Written by Aidan Gibbons
Editor-in-Chief of Cultaholic.com Twitter: @theaidangibbons
