Rusev didn’t storm out of WWE RAW because he was pissed about losing to Je’Von Evans — there was apparently a much more serious reason he hauled ass to the back.
Rusev has been missing from WWE television since the end of July, and Fightful Select has now shed new light on what actually happened during his final match before disappearing.
According to WWE Performance Center sources via Fightful Select, Rusev’s hands went numb after he landed awkwardly on his neck during his match with Evans on the July 27 episode of RAW. The referee checked on him and asked whether the match needed to be stopped, but Rusev wanted to keep going. His condition apparently got worse as the match continued.
That also explains the strange scene immediately after Evans scored the win. Rusev got right back to his feet, rolled out of the ring and power-walked straight toward the backstage area, which kicked off speculation that he was furious over the finish or unhappy with WWE.
Instead, sources said Rusev was rushing backstage because of what he was physically dealing with after the awkward landing. It was also believed that WWE placed him in concussion protocol afterward.
The situation didn’t end there. Rusev was given a couple of weeks away following the match, eventually returned to the WWE Performance Center and then came down with an undisclosed illness.
As of last week, Rusev was still waiting to receive medical clearance from WWE. The good news is his comeback now appears to be getting close. Rusev is expected to return to WWE television sometime in September, lining up with the earlier word that his absence wouldn’t stretch much longer.
That puts a much different spin on Rusev’s last night on RAW. What looked like an angry exit after a loss was apparently a wrestler trying to finish a match while dealing with numbness in his hands before getting backstage as quickly as possible. Now the biggest question isn’t why he disappeared — it’s what WWE has waiting for the Bulgarian Brute once doctors finally give him the green light.
What do you want to see WWE do with Rusev when he returns in September? Let us know your thoughts and leave your feedback in the comments.
