From the WWE Rumor Mill: Backstage details on Rusev's WWE status

What’s the story?

On a recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Live, Rusev’s current WWE status was addressed in detail.

Apparently, Rusev is indeed on good terms with WWE management, contrary to the ongoing speculation regarding management being displeased with 'The Bulgarian Brute'. Additional details on the entire situation have also been revealed.

In case you didn’t know…

Rusev has performed for the WWE since 2010 and is known for utilizing his social media accounts, so as to generate buzz by directing subtle taunts at opponents—replete with professional wrestling’s insider terminology—which in turn has caused several fans to take note of the SmackDown Live Superstar’s aforementioned tendency.

After the WWE announced that Rusev would be facing The Undertaker in a Casket Match at the Greatest Royal Rumble PPV event later this month, Rusev put forth a Tweet, which insinuated that he knows he’s going to be ‘buried’/beaten by Undertaker, following which, he requested ‘Taker to bury him softly.

The heart of the matter

A TMZ interview featuring Rusev & Lana, saw the former, state that he’d probably retire The Undertaker who’s a bit past his prime. This was immediately followed by WWE announcing that Chris Jericho has replaced Rusev as Undertaker’s opponent for the aforementioned Casket Match.

Rusev’s Tweet, the TMZ interview, and the fact that he removed all WWE references from his Twitter bio, set the professional wrestling abuzz regarding the possibility that Rusev may have rubbed WWE management the wrong way. This, in turn, propagated rumors of him being released from WWE.

Nevertheless, Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer Live, clarified that there is no scandal involving Rusev, and it’s all a part of the WWE’s storylines.

It was added that the entire Rusev-WWE fallout is a work, and primarily intended to get people talking about it, an objective that’s clearly been attained.

Furthermore, it was elucidated that Rusev will still be a part of the Greatest Royal Rumble PPV event, and he’s not quitting, leaving or getting fired. It was also emphasized that WWE decided Jericho vs The Undertaker would be a better match, something they realized after the Rusev-Undertaker matchup was announced.

What’s next?

The Undertaker competes against Chris Jericho in a Casket Match at the WWE’s Greatest Royal Rumble PPV which takes place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on April 27th.

Also on the card, Rusev is expected to participate in the 50-Man Royal Rumble Match that’s set to serve as a key attraction at the event.