Rusev Explains How WWE Pitched the Lana–Bobby Lashley Angle

Rusev has explained how WWE originally presented the controversial storyline involving Lana and Bobby Lashley, revealing it was built around a match at WrestleMania that ultimately never happened. The former United States Champion shared that the projected payoff was the main reason he agreed to participate.

The angle aired between 2019 and 2020 and generated strong audience reactions across television and social media with dramatic segments, fights, and escalating tensions. While polarizing among viewers, the storyline succeeded in drawing attention and maintaining weekly engagement.

Speaking with Chris Van Vliet, Rusev recalled being told the storyline would culminate in a major singles match on WWE’s biggest stage. He said the creative direction made sense at the time because it offered a clear narrative arc with a defined ending point. Without that conclusion, however, the storyline felt incomplete in retrospect.

“WrestleMania match. That’s how it was pitched to me. I said, Great, I can deal with that. We just never got there. But it was a good story. I understood the story. It was not my favorite story, but I understood it. And when they told me what the final goal was, I said, All right, that sounds good to me. We have a direction, we have a dip, we have a comeback. We have a good story to finish it.”

Rusev also addressed the personal dynamic involved, noting that Lana is his real-life spouse outside WWE programming. He noted that the on-screen interactions were handled professionally, as in television or film acting roles. 

“It’s acting, though, it’s nothing else, all these Hollywood people, and she’s the only one. How many other WWE female Superstars have made out with so many people? It’s just part of the business. If you start selling it, of course it’s gonna go bad for you, but as long as you take it just to work, it’s nothing else than just to work.”