Rusev Set To Make His Return On ‘SmackDown Live’
As the Money in the Bank pay-per-view approaches, WWE fans anticipate a big return following the event. According to PWInsider Elite, former United States Champion Rusev is expected to make his return to the WWE on the upcoming episode. This will be his first appearance on the blue brand since getting drafted there during the “Superstar Shakeup.”
Since early this year, Rusev had been out of action due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. This move was promising for the Bulgarian Brute, as a result of being in a feud with Enzo and Cass that did not increase his overall stock, as well as getting destroyed by the Big Show on his final pay-per-view, Fastlane, on March 5.
Since then, WWE has been finding ways to get Rusev back on television. Before the rush of putting the WWE Championship on Jinder Mahal, Rusev appeared to be in top contention. For weeks, Rusev was sending messages to SmackDown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon, demanding to be in the WWE Championship match at Money in the Bank.
On May 9, Rusev even sent a video message to Shane McMahon promising that he would return the following week. However, Rusev sent a tweet following his expected return, stating that he was at the Nashville Predators NHL playoff game.
To the game we go! #Preds @PredsNHL @LanaWWE pic.twitter.com/ZjQOJpDAJo
— Miro (@ToBeMiro) May 18, 2017
When Rusev returns, there is a possibility that he will still be involved in a feud with Shane McMahon over having a title shot. Having a match with Shane at a big pay-per-view, perhaps SummerSlam, could immediately give Rusev a very prominent spot on the roster.
The other issue that Rusev could be facing is the current women’s division push that his wife Lana is receiving. Whether if she wins the SmackDown Live Women’s Championship or not, it seems as if she will be a solo act on the show, and no longer directly linked to Rusev.
This Sunday at #MITB I'll shock my doubters by making history & become the 1st ever #RAVISHING Smackdown Women's Champion! @NaomiWWE sorry ? pic.twitter.com/Zvpv8GiGXl
— CJ Perry (@TheCJPerry) June 14, 2017
The positive aspect of Rusev being alone is that he can truly receive strong heat. Although Lana at first assisted him in that, she ended up being a bit of a hindrance due to the fans cheering her. Now, since Rusev has shown that he can play a strong villain, he will have a clean slate to build on his character upon his debut on SmackDown Live.
[Featured Image By WWE]
