Why WWE Suddenly Pulled Rusev From TV—The Real Story Behind His Disappearance
WWE fans have been wondering why Rusev has quietly vanished from television, and new backstage details finally explain what’s really going on.
According to a report from PWInsider, Rusev’s absence has nothing to do with injury, heat, or disciplinary issues. Instead, the decision is said to be completely strategic. WWE is intentionally keeping certain talents off weekly programming when they are not part of major storylines, rather than placing them in filler roles with no creative direction.
The belief backstage is that using wrestlers without a clear plan can weaken their momentum. By keeping them off TV, WWE hopes they can return later with stronger reactions and more meaningful storylines once creative has something substantial ready.
Rusev has been largely missing from WWE programming since November 21, when he was eliminated by Jey Uso in the quarterfinals of the “Last Time Is Now” tournament. His only appearance since then came on a December 1 episode of Main Event, which was taped rather than aired live, where he faced Otis.
The absence is especially noticeable given how prominent Rusev had been just months earlier. He was deeply involved in the Intercontinental Championship scene following his win over Sheamus at Clash in Paris in August. His WWE comeback had been positioned as a major moment, returning on RAW the night after WrestleMania 41 and later signing a two-year contract after leaving AEW.
Rusev isn’t the only name being handled this way. The report notes that The Street Profits are also being kept on standby. Since losing a WWE Tag Team Championship match to the Wyatt Sicks in October, the duo has only appeared on Main Event, with WWE reportedly waiting to reintroduce them once a fresh creative direction is in place.
Meanwhile, not all absences are purely creative. Aleister Black has been off television since the January 2 episode of SmackDown, where he lost an Ambulance Match to Damian Priest. While his hiatus was planned in advance, it was later revealed that Black suffered a minor tailbone fracture during the match and is currently recovering.
For now, Rusev’s disappearance appears to be a case of WWE playing the long game — keeping him out of sight so his eventual return feels bigger when the timing, and the story, are right.
