PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that Rusev (known as Miro in AEW) was seen at WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut. Johnson suggests Rusev’s return to the company is imminent.
If true, it confirms months of speculation about the next move of the former Redeemer. It suggests that soon, after WrestleMania season, fans will see the Bulgarian Brute return to Raw or Smackdown. Every day could be, in fact, Rusev Day.
Since Rusev’s reported release from AEW, some fans have felt like it was just a matter of time. The sight and teases of other former AEW alumni appearing on WWE, such as Rey Fenix, Ricky Saints (former Starks), and Malakai/Aleister Black, filled them with hope.
The reports did not suggest that Miro’s wife, CJ Parker, known as Lana in WWE, was with him. The couple had recently got back together and renewed their wedding vows. Parker/Lana could join him at some point in the future, like during Rusev’s AEW run.
AEW: God’s Favourite Champion, Redeemer, purgatory
Rusev, as Miro, had a memorable, if short, run in AEW. As God’s Favourite Champion, Miro was the TNT Champion for 140 days. His start in AEW was rocky, with a vague gimmick of The Best Man of Kip Sabian being underwhelmed during the pandemic.
Rumors circulated during Miro’s time about various former WWE wrestlers refusing creative directions and storylines. Usually displayed and presented as a domineering presence, Miro was often built as a monster who few were able to beat.
Exceptions included Sammy Guevarra and Bryan Danielson. Despite cerebral, clever, and poetic promos playing with themes of redemption and religion, Miro became trapped in a creative purgatory. A lack of satisfying in-ring storyline delivery or follow-up harming his run.
Miro’s AEW appearances became more sporadic. Eventually, Miro returned more frequently to AEW Collision during its initial soft brand split. Miro remained undefeated until exiting the company. His final match was also the final contest of another WWE alumni, Andrade El Idolo.
Miro’s reign, in many ways, encapsulated overlooked transitional issues neither wrestlers nor fans considered about jumping from WWE to AEW. It’s an issue I’ve discussed here that includes issues like misaligned expectations.
While many fans are optimistic, heralding Rusev Day, expectations may need to be measured. Rusev is 39 years old, and as seen by the returns of wrestlers like Andrade, there are risks to returning to WWE. Nothing is guaranteed.
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