Rusev Finally Explains Why His Most Popular WWE Gimmick Should Have Flopped
WWE fans still chant “Rusev Day” years later, but here’s the twist—the whole thing was never supposed to work. The former WWE star, who returned to the company last year after his AEW run, recently opened up about how his beloved “Rusev Day” character became a phenomenon completely by accident.
Looking back on the gimmick during an appearance on “Insight with Chris Van Vliet,” Rusev revealed it was never designed to get over with the audience. “It was never meant to be anything,” he admitted. “It was just supposed to be a celebration, and here’s the key from the mayor of Plovdiv, my hometown, and it just worked for some reason.”
What made the run even stranger was that Rusev was playing a villain at the time, yet fans couldn’t help but embrace him. He credits his partner Aiden English as the secret weapon behind the magic. “Aiden is such an essential part of this, with the songs, with the introductions, with everything,” Rusev explained. “Without him, it probably wouldn’t even be the same.”
The former United States Champion also shouted out the New Day for helping make the backstage atmosphere during that period something special. But nothing drove home how unexpectedly over the gimmick had become like the reaction to his merchandise.
Rusev recalled the moment WWE dropped the first “Happy Rusev Day” shirt and he unveiled it during a backstage promo. “I remember pulling it out and the huge reaction from the crowd, like what? It’s just a shirt! It’s not that big of a deal?” he said with genuine disbelief in his voice.
From there, things snowballed fast. “It started picking up steam, man. People loved it, loved chanting Rusev Day and celebrating Rusev Day,” he said. “Yeah, it was a good time. Even to this day, they’re like: ‘Happy Rusev Day!'”
The story serves as a reminder that sometimes the best moments in wrestling happen when nobody plans them—they just feel right to the fans.
If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
