Rusev makes WWE return on Raw, Lana signs Legends deal
Rusev Day is back.
The former United States Champion made his return to WWE on the Raw following WrestleMania 41, attacking both members of Alpha Academy.
As the New Day were in the ring talking about their WrestleMania victory, Maxxine Dupri, Otis, and Akira Tozawa came out and issued a challenge to the new World Tag Team Champions. As the two teams were about to do battle, Rusev made his return after the lights briefly went out. Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston bailed as Rusev laid out both Tozawa and Otis, who had a brief staredown with Rusev before being taken out with a kick. Rusev then placed Otis in the Accolade to end the segment.
Following his return, Deadline reported that Rusev had signed a two-year deal. Additionally, Rusev’s wife and former manager Lana has signed a WWE Legends deal.
“Rusev is back to crush the WWE and become World Champion,” Lana told Deadline. “We have been cooking this up from our Bulgarian kitchen since the day we left, and with the help of Paradigm, we were able to make this a reality! Machka Crush,” she added.
After being released by WWE in 2020, Miro joined AEW later that year, winning the TNT Championship once. After Worlds End 2023, he stopped being used and spent most of 2024 at home. In February, it had been reported that both Miro and Ricky Starks were granted their releases. Starks immediately showed up on NXT and recently won the North American Championship.
Big E confirmed last week that Rusev would be making his return to WWE during a Fanatics session held as part of WrestleMania 41 activities.