Rusev Warns WrestleMania Rivals They’ll Leave Ladder Match With Broken Backs

Rusev is heading into WrestleMania with a message, and he made it clear he’s not worried about the chaos waiting for him in the Intercontinental Title ladder match.

With WrestleMania drawing closer, the Intercontinental Championship ladder match is shaping up to be one of the most dangerous contests on the card. Rusev is set to battle champion Penta along with Dragon Lee, Je’Von Evans, JD McDonagh, and Rusev in the multi-man showdown, but he doesn’t sound intimidated by the fast-paced style many expect to dominate the match.

In a video posted to Instagram, Rusev addressed critics who claim the ladder match format doesn’t suit his style. Instead of backing down, he turned the conversation into a warning for everyone else involved, promising that while others may rely on speed and aerial attacks, he plans to control the fight on the ground and punish anyone who tries to fly.

“Ladder match of WrestleMania in one week. I keep hearing how this is not Rusev type of match, how my power fears their speed. But I'm not afraid of my opponents. I'm afraid for my opponents. It's kind of hard to climb anything with a broken back. So I will handle the ground warfare and I will catch them from the sky one by one.”

Rusev didn’t stop there. He leaned into his personal journey, referencing the hardships he endured long before stepping into a WWE ring. From leaving Bulgaria to sleeping in his car and fighting through injuries, he framed this upcoming match as another chapter in a long climb toward the top.

“You know, I may not fly like those guys, but I've been climbing ladders my entire life. When I left my home country of Bulgaria, when I slept in my car, when I broke my neck, or when I rode a freaking tank into WrestleMania. So this is kind of a poetic moment. Ladder match, WrestleMania.”

The tone of the video made it clear that Rusev sees this match as more than just another title opportunity. He positioned himself as a battle-tested competitor ready to seize his moment when the spotlight hits, promising that this ladder match will end with him standing tall above the competition.

“This lone soldier behind me reminds me of me when you just sit on top of the world looking down on everybody else. And, you know, when it's your time, this is my time. This is my match. And at this WrestleMania, Rusev will have his day and become the new WWE Intercontinental Champion.”

The WrestleMania Intercontinental Championship ladder match is already stacked with talent, and Rusev’s comments add another layer of tension heading into the event. With high-flyers and heavy hitters sharing the ring, the outcome could shift at any moment once the ladders come into play.

Do you think Rusev’s power style will be enough to overcome the chaos of the ladder match, or will one of the high-flyers steal the spotlight and walk away with the Intercontinental Championship? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know what you think.