Backstage News on Rusev’s WWE Absence – Rusev has not appeared on WWE television since his loss to Jey Uso on the November 21, 2025 episode of SmackDown, but a new report has clarified that his absence is not related to injury or disciplinary issues.

According to PWInsider, WWE has intentionally kept Rusev off television as a strategic creative decision. The belief internally is that if a talent is not actively involved in a storyline, it is sometimes better to remove them from weekly programming entirely rather than overexpose them without direction. The idea is to preserve Rusev’s presence so that when he does return, it feels more impactful and purposeful.

Rusev was last seen competing in The Last Time Is Now tournament, where he faced Jey Uso in a SmackDown singles match. Despite the loss, his performance was viewed positively, and many fans interpreted the bout as the beginning of a renewed singles push. When Rusev disappeared from television in the weeks that followed, speculation quickly emerged regarding a possible injury or creative issues behind the scenes.

The PWInsider report puts those rumors to rest, confirming that Rusev is healthy and available. WWE simply does not have him slotted into a current storyline and has chosen to wait until the right creative opportunity presents itself. This approach is not unique to Rusev, as PWInsider also noted that The Street Profits are currently being held off television for similar reasons.

Rusev’s situation has drawn more attention due to the momentum he appeared to regain late in 2025. His physical presence and strong in-ring showings had renewed interest in his role on the SmackDown roster, making his sudden disappearance more noticeable than others.

At this time, there is no word on when Rusev will return or what direction WWE may have planned for him. However, the report makes it clear that his absence is a calculated move, not a setback, and WWE is waiting for the right moment to reintroduce him into the mix.

Backstage News on Rusev’s WWE Absence

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