Rusev Back?

HANDSOME RUSEV COMING BACK Photo Credit: WWE.com

Rusev has been on the shelf for awhile thanks to a bum shoulder, but it looked like he was on his way back when he started showing up in videotaped stingers promising he'd make a run for the WWE World Championship at Money in the Bank. He was all set to return, but then poof, the angle was seemingly forgotten. I thought it was a case of WWE dropping the ball on a non-priority wrestler, but as it turns out, maybe the company didn't think Rusev was going to be healthy by the time Money in the Bank rolled around. Then the Jinder Mahal push took off, and the rest is recent history.

However, Rusev finally received that medical clearance, as reported by Ryan Satin at Pro Wrestling Sheet. What that means for the near future is uncertain, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if Handsome RuRu got himself an appearance on the show, either seconding/interfering on behalf of Lana in the Women's Championship Match, or inserting himself in the Men's Money in the Bank ladder match and competing. I saw some rumors floating around that the initial plans were for Rusev to wrestle Shane McMahon at SummerSlam. I'm not sure if they're still on the table, and I don't want to see any McMahon, blood-related or by marriage wrestle any matches anymore, but at least it'd be something important for the Bulgarian Brute.

Rusev remains one of WWE's biggest risks to be a missed opportunity. The guy is the complete package, a charming, charismatic speaker who can work many styles and at least get the hardcore engagement to sustain a career as a gatekeeper in the upper midcard. I hope this restart to his career is more successful than prior ones, because the dude is a workhorse.