Rusev Reflects On Getting His Start In Wrestling, Short Run in WWE Developmental

Rusev recently looked back at his start in the wrestling business and first learning he might have a shot at WWE or TNA. The Bulgarian Brute began his wrestling career in 2008 and signed a developmental deal with WWE 2010. He recalled his road to the company on the debut episode of CJ Perry’s new Identity Crisis podcast. You can see the highlights below:

On Getting His Start In Wrestling:

“Well, for me was really — my career is just, my whole wrestling journey has been so interesting. I was a fan as a kid, right? And there’s no wrestling in Bulgaria. I didn’t even know there was professional wrestling anywhere but America. And apparently I was really wrong, because in Europe and in Japan and all, it’s really popular. But I had no idea. I thought WWE, was the only thing. But when I came to America, I wanted to be a professional wrestler, of course. But it’s not like you know how to do that.”

“But eventually when I found a school, it wasn’t like, ‘Hey, I want to find a school to make it to WWE.’ I just — I was so fascinated by the craft, by what they’re doing that I just wanted to know how they freaking do that. It’s not like, ‘Oh, I want to go there and do it with them.’ I just wanted to learn how they do it and why is it so cool.”

Finding Out He May Have a Shot With WWE or TNA:

“And it remained the same way for maybe two years. Because after the first backyard school with Rick Drasin, I moved with Rikishi to KnokX Pro. Rikishi, Black Pearl, and Gangrel opened the school. And it wasn’t maybe until a year later in my training where they pull me in the office and say, ‘Hey, you may have an opportunity to go to either TNA or WWE.’

“I’m like, ‘Get the f**k out of here.’ Like, ‘What are you even talking about? These guys are gods. They’re on TV. I see them, they’re seven feet tall, 400 pounds jacked. And I am 24 year old Bulgarian that — I mean, I’ve been training for a year and a half. That’s just, I didn’t think that was realistic at all.”

On His WWE Tryout:

“But then eventually, you know, after six more months, Rikishi finally got me a trial at 2010 SummerSlam in Los Angeles. And they liked me, they signed me, they gave me a contract. And 2010, that’s two years in my training. So I was really green, I had no idea.

“And all of a sudden, I find myself in developmental WWE, green as grass. I had no idea. And then started, I broke my knee, broke my neck. That set me back a little bit. But then in developmental, I spent like a year and a half probably, at most. And then made it to the to the main roster. So my career like really fast kind of like took off.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit Identity Crisis with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.