US EditionReason Rusev has suddenly disappeared from WWE
WWE keeps Rusev and The Street Profits off TV to avoid non-impactful matches and maintain freshness for future storylines, a strategy confirmed by WWE creative reports.
- Later this year, WWE removed Rusev from television and touring since the fall, with no reported return date and no injuries reported.
- WWE's creative team reportedly takes talents off television when no substantial plans exist, and Mike Johnson, PWInsider, says this strategy keeps wrestlers fresh despite 7.5 hours of weekly live TV.
- Rusev last lost to Jey Uso in the tournament and only taped a Main Event match in December, while The Street Profits lost on the October 10 SmackDown and filmed Main Event matches before an extended break.
- The move reshapes weekly storytelling for Raw and SmackDown, as absences leave established acts out of storylines and title pictures, altering the tag-team landscape and booking options.
- This approach positions WWE to reintroduce talent when desired, as PWInsider reports the creative team hides healthy performers like Rusev and The Street Profits until planned storylines emerge.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Backstage News On Why Rusev Has Been Off WWE Television
The mystery surrounding Rusev’s recent absence from WWE programming has now been clarified. According to a report from PWInsider, Rusev is not sidelined due to injury, discipline, or any backstage issue. Instead, WWE is deliberately keeping him off television as part of a broader creative strategy. The company’s current philosophy is to avoid featuring talent […]
Reason behind Rusev’s sudden WWE absence
Rusev’s absence from WWE programming has sparked plenty of curiosity over the past few weeks. Viewers expected to see him involved in early-year storylines, especially after he remained active toward the end of 2025. Instead, he slipped off both Raw and SmackDown without any explanation, leaving fans guessing whether something serious had happened behind the scenes. There’s been no injury report, no drama, and no public statement from Rusev hims…
Backstage News On Reason For Absence Of Top WWE Veteran Since "Last Time Is Now Tournament"
A familiar face has been noticeably absent from the scene in WWE as of late. Rusev has been absent from SmackDown since his loss to Jey Uso in the quarterfinals of “The Last Time Is Now” tournament, which took place on the November 21 episode of the blue brand. According to one source, Rusev’s recent disappearance is not injury-related. Instead, WWE is reportedly opting to keep certain talent off television when they are not actively involved in…
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Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources are Center
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