Rusev’s WWE NXT return was spoiled by an ex-AEW star.
Rusev has wreaked havoc on WWE’s main roster after returning to the Stamford-based promotion in April this year, where he immediately made a statement to the rest of the locker room by attacking Otis.
Since the former AEW star’s return, he has shared the ring with the likes of Sami Zayn, Sheamus, Jey Uso, and Bronson Reed, among others. At the recent Clash in Paris Premium Live Event, he even defeated The Celtic Warrior in a Good Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook match.
After the Paris victory, The Bulgarian Brute tried to make his presence felt in WWE NXT. During the September 5 live event in Spartanburg, South Carolina, he had an unsuccessful return to the developmental brand after being defeated by former AEW star Ricky Starks (now Ricky Saints).
On the September 6 live show in Charleston, South Carolina, the RAW star was involved in a 6-man Tag Team match. He teamed up with Jasper Troy and Ethan Page against Hank Walker, Tank Ledger, and Oba Femi. However, just like the previous night, the main roster superstar was unsuccessful in picking up the win, alongside his partners.
Rusev in NXT?! 😱
You NEVER know who's going to show up at an #WWENXT Live Event…👀#NXTAugusta Tickets on sale now 🎟️: https://t.co/ICsLq49IG3pic.twitter.com/QQVxneB8G5
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) September 7, 2025
With other main roster stars already visiting WWE NXT recently, like Chelsea Green, who has been teaming up with Ethan Page, it will be interesting to see if Rusev will also begin to wrestle in the developmental brand in the near future.
Rusev Returned To WWE To Fulfill His Dream Of Becoming a World Champion
In a recent interview with Denise Salcedo, Rusev shared that while wrestling in AEW, he felt like he was the “best in the world” after being taught by the likes of John Cena and the Big Show.
After deeming that he was the best in All Elite Wrestling, he returned to WWE, as one of his goals was to become a World Champion.
I learned that I’m the best in the world. I was there for a few years, I beat up quite a few people, and I gained my confidence way more than I had before in WWE, all the experience from the years before. What I’ve been taught by John Cena, by the Big Show, by all these great, amazing superstars that I fought in WWE, I had to put to the test when I was in AEW.
I had to use everything I’ve learned. After I did that, after I experimented, after I saw that I’m the best one there, I thought it was time to come back, no doubt, because I still have the goal to be a World Heavyweight Champion here in WWE.”
In other news: Former WWE star allegedly has many enemies in wrestling following allegations about AJ Lee.