wrestling / News

Backstage Update on Rusev and Why He Didn’t Appear on Smackdown as Advertised

May 18, 2017 | Posted by Jeffrey Harris
Rusev Fastlane

Sportskeeda’s Billi Bhatti reports that Rusev did not appear on Smackdown this week because WWE is reportedly undecided on how to use him from a creative standpoint. Rusev was previously advertised to appear for the May 16 edition of Smackdown in order to confront Shane McMahon about receiving a WWE title match at Money in the Bank. However, Rusev never appeared.

Per the report, WWE isn’t sure on what Rusev will be doing at the Money in the Bank event. Smackdown writer Ryan Ward put forth the idea for Rusev to win the Money in the Bank contract, which the creative team agreed with. However, plans then changed to have Rusev fight for the WWE title at the event instead. The report indicates that Rusev is still slated to challenge the WWE champion for the title at the event, despite being Ryan Ward’s first choice to win the Money in the Bank match.

Ward’s reported scenario would have Shane McMahon refusing Rusev’s demand for a title shot and instead place the Bulgarian Brute in the Money in the Bank ladder match. Because of this, WWE allegedly opted to postpone Rusev and Shane McMahon’s confrontation until the creative team can settle on the right direction.