WWE fans remember Rusev Day as a grassroots movement that took over arenas, merchandise sales, and social media feeds. But behind the scenes, the man behind the movement—Miro, formerly known as Rusev—was caught in a creative tug-of-war with WWE’s top brass, particularly Vince McMahon. In a series of candid interviews, Rusev has opened up about the confusion and frustration that defined his final years in WWE, revealing that McMahon sent him “all these mixed messages with nothing in between” when it came to his character direction.
The Rise of Rusev Day
Rusev’s WWE tenure began as a dominant heel, the “300-pound Bulgarian Brute” who steamrolled opponents and captured the hearts of fans with his charisma and in-ring prowess. As his popularity grew, so did the “Rusev Day” chants, a phenomenon that saw fans rallying behind him in a way few could have predicted. The movement was organic, fan-driven, and, by all accounts, a merchandising goldmine.
But despite the overwhelming support, WWE’s creative team and McMahon himself seemed hesitant to fully embrace the babyface turn. According to sources close to the situation, McMahon was torn between capitalizing on Rusev’s popularity and sticking to the tried-and-true formula of casting Eastern Europeans as villains.
Mixed Messages from the Top
On the Identity Crisis podcast, Rusev and his wife CJ Perry (Lana) recounted a pivotal meeting with Vince McMahon in 2019. After Rusev had dropped significant weight, McMahon was reportedly less than thrilled. “He goes, ‘I want my 300-pound Bulgarian Brute. That man puts asses in seats. That heel,’” Perry recalled, mimicking McMahon’s tone. “He wanted the big guy, the powerhouse, the guy who could sell tickets as a villain.”
Rusev confirmed the story, adding, “I said, ‘Turn me heel, brother.’ I was ready to go back to that role if that’s what they wanted.” But McMahon’s response was anything but clear. “I have so many babyfaces, but I don’t have any 300-pound Bulgarian Brutes,” McMahon reportedly said, highlighting the creative dilemma.
According to a WWE insider, McMahon’s indecision created a frustrating environment for Rusev. “He was getting pulled in both directions,” the insider revealed. “One week, he’d be told to lean into the babyface persona, the next week, he’d be told to go back to being the brute. There was no consistent direction, and it showed in the booking.”
The Merchandise Paradox
The disconnect between fan demand and creative direction became even more apparent when Rusev Day merchandise began selling out. “It was clear the fans wanted more of Rusev as a babyface,” said the insider. “But McMahon’s explanation for not pushing the movement was, frankly, illogical. He seemed more focused on maintaining the status quo than capitalizing on what was clearly working.”
Rusev himself addressed the issue on The Ryback Show, expressing his frustration with WWE’s creative team. “I was ready to give the fans what they wanted,” he said. “But it felt like every time I took a step forward, I was being pulled back. It was like they didn’t know what they wanted me to be.”
The Legacy of Rusev Day
Despite the behind-the-scenes chaos, Rusev Day remains one of the most memorable fan-driven movements in WWE history. “It was a testament to Rusev’s connection with the audience,” said the insider. “He had that rare ability to transcend the scripted nature of wrestling and create something real.”
But the mixed messages from McMahon and WWE’s creative team left Rusev in a creative limbo. “He was never fully allowed to embrace the babyface role, and he was never fully committed to the heel persona,” the insider added. “It was like they wanted him to be both, but without giving him the tools to succeed in either.”
What’s Next for Rusev?
Since leaving WWE, Rusev—now known as Miro—has found success in AEW, where he’s been able to fully embrace his character and connect with fans in a way that wasn’t possible during his WWE tenure. “It’s been a breath of fresh air,” Miro said in a recent interview. “I finally feel like I’m in control of my own story.”
For WWE fans, Rusev Day will always be a reminder of what could have been. “It’s a shame that WWE didn’t fully capitalize on the movement,” said the insider. “Rusev had the potential to be a top star, but the mixed messages from the top held him back.”
Conclusion
Rusev’s WWE journey is a cautionary tale of what happens when creative direction is inconsistent and fan demand is ignored. Despite the mixed messages from Vince McMahon and WWE’s creative team, Rusev’s legacy as a fan favorite endures. As Miro continues to thrive in AEW, fans can only wonder what might have been if WWE had fully embraced the Rusev Day phenomenon.
According to a WWE insider: “Rusev was a rare talent who could connect with fans in a way that few others could. But the mixed messages from the top created a frustrating environment that ultimately held him back. It’s a shame, because he had the potential to be a true superstar.”