Backstage news regarding Rusev’s absence from WWE television
WWE star Rusev has not wrestled since the July 27th 2026 edition of RAW. According to Fightful.com, Rusev’s absence is not related to dissatisfaction with his booking.
During his most recent match against Je’Von Evans, Rusev reportedly experienced numbness in his thumb after landing on his neck. The referee asked whether the match needed to be stopped, but Rusev indicated that he could continue. His condition reportedly worsened during the match, and he rushed backstage afterward, where he was placed under concussion protocol.
Rusev was subsequently given several weeks off. He later attended the WWE Performance Center and was reportedly dealing with an undiagnosed illness.
Rusev was at the Performance Center again this past week to undergo the process of getting cleared. He is expected to return to WWE television sometime in September.
Fightful Select has learned Rusev’s WWE absence was injury-related, despite online speculation that he had “stormed off.”
We’ve learned what happened during his match with Je’Von Evans, why he’s remained off TV, and when he’s expected back.
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— FightfulSelect.com! Exclusive Pro Wrestling News (@FightfulSelect) September 4, 2026