According to a report from Deadline, Rusev — now returning to his WWE persona after competing as Miro in AEW — has inked a fresh two-year contract with WWE. The Bulgarian Brute made his surprise return on Monday Night RAW, launching a brutal assault on Alpha Academy’s Otis and Akira Tozawa.
The report also confirms that CJ Perry, better known to WWE fans as Lana, is rejoining the company under a Legends Deal.
“Rusev is back to crush the WWE and become World Champion,” said Perry. “We’ve been cooking this up from our Bulgarian kitchen since the day we left, and with the help of Paradigm, we made this a reality! Machka Crush.”
Paradigm Talent Agency negotiated the new deals for the couple.
Rusev was previously released by WWE in April 2022 before joining AEW in September 2020. His final AEW appearance came at Worlds End on December 30, 2023, and he was officially released in February 2025.
Who will DARE step up to RUSEV?#RawAfterMania pic.twitter.com/FctGvMcF8U
— WWE (@WWE) April 22, 2025
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