Rusev’s AEW Exit Was All About Creative Drama With Tony Khan

Rusev’s WWE return the night after WrestleMania 41 has fans talking—but according to Dave Meltzer, the writing was on the wall long before the former TNT Champion left AEW.

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer revealed that behind the scenes, Rusev—known as Miro in AEW—was clashing with AEW President Tony Khan over creative direction. The tension reportedly started after Rusev returned from injury in 2021 and only grew worse as the two sides couldn’t agree on how to use him.

“Once he got down and serious, he had really good matches and it was going well and then he got hurt and then he and Tony just couldn’t agree on stuff and just didn’t do anything … there really wasn’t much to do with him because there just wasn’t, he didn’t want to lose before going back to WWE, so there you go.”

Rusev had a solid AEW run early on, racking up big wins over names like Bryan Danielson, Darby Allin, and Orange Cassidy while holding the TNT Championship. But after his injury and disagreements with Khan, he essentially disappeared from AEW TV. His last match for the promotion was in December 2023 against Andrade, and he didn’t wrestle for the company again after that.

Meltzer also pointed out that Rusev’s AEW exit wasn’t just professional—it was strategic. The Bulgarian star reportedly always intended to return to WWE and wasn’t interested in being booked to lose on his way out.

Outside the ring, Rusev’s personal life saw some ups and downs during his AEW hiatus. He and real-life wife Lana, who was also released from WWE in 2021, separated for a time but have since reconciled and even renewed their wedding vows.

Now back in WWE after five years away, Rusev’s next chapter is underway—but fans are already wondering if the same creative frustrations will follow him back to where it all started.

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