How former WWE owner Vince McMahon reacted to Rusev’s weight loss in 2019
During the first edition of Lana (CJ Perry)’s Identity Crisis podcast, Rusev’s WWE character was discussed. Here is an exchange between Lana and Rusev…
CJ Perry: “Are you okay with sharing the story about, in 2019, when you lost a bunch of weight and then we had a meeting with Vince [McMahon]? What did he say to you about your new look?”
Rusev: “He said he wanted the big Bulgarian. He wanted a 300-pound guy.”
CJ Perry: “Yeah, I remember him saying to you—he was like, ‘Where’s my 300-pound Bulgarian brute?’ But he really did say it. He goes, ‘I want my 300-pound Bulgarian brute. That man puts asses in seats. That heel—I want you as a heel. I want you 300-pound Bulgarian brute because that sells tickets.’ And what did you say to him?”
Rusev: “What did I say?”
CJ Perry: “You said, ‘Turn me heel, brother.'”
Rusev: “Oh, well, that’s what I said.”
CJ Perry: “You said, ‘I’m the best heel in the business. Turn me heel.'”
Rusev: “That’s what I said.”
CJ Perry: “I’ll never forget this—Vince was like, ‘I have so many babyfaces, but I don’t have any 300-pound Bulgarian brutes.'”