Rusev’s WrestleMania 41 Status Revealed Just Before Showtime

Rusev might be back with WWE, but it looks like a WrestleMania return isn’t part of the plan—at least not for Randy Orton’s open challenge.

Minutes before WrestleMania 41 Sunday kicked off, Fightful Select dropped an update shutting down one of the hottest rumors of the weekend. “One source we spoke to said they did not expect Rusev as Orton’s opponent,” the report noted, effectively putting the speculation to bed—for now.

Rusev, now officially back under contract with WWE following his AEW run as Miro, was spotted in Las Vegas with wife Lana ahead of the event. Their appearance sparked fan theories that the former United States Champion would step in for the injured Kevin Owens to face Orton on Night Two of WrestleMania.

But if WWE is planning to bring Rusev back into the fold, it won’t be happening under the lights of Allegiant Stadium—at least not as Orton’s challenger.

Fans had been rallying behind the idea of a Rusev return, with many hoping to see the return of “Rusev Day” or a major restart for the Bulgarian Brute. For now, though, that return will have to wait.

WWE WrestleMania 41 Sunday Lineup:

• Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. John Cena
• WWE Women’s World Championship: IYO SKY (c) vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair
• Women’s Tag Team Championship: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria & TBA
• Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Dominik Mysterio vs. Penta vs. Finn Balor
• Sin City Street Fight: Damian Priest vs. Drew McIntyre
• AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul
• Randy Orton vs. Mystery Opponent

Be sure to tune in live and follow along with Ringside News for full play-by-play coverage over in our WrestleMania coverage hub.

Do you think WWE should have gone with Rusev vs. Orton at WrestleMania? Or was it better to save his return for another moment? Drop your take in the comments.