Many wondered who would answer Randy Orton’s Open Challenge at WrestleMania 41. Before Joe Hendry revealed himself as an opponent, the WWE Hall of Fame JBL had a rather different name in mind.
“I hope [Rusev is the opponent]…I love Rusev, I mean I absolutely love him,” JBL said in “What to Wrestling” before WrestleMania 41. JBL says Rusev is a smart and fun thing both in front and behind the camera.[He] I had this amazing amateur background in Bulgaria. He was just a good guy and he went to AEW and entered the witness protection program. ”
JBL can’t imagine that there is no idea of talent like Rusev. JBL was wrong about appearing on Wrestlemania, but Rusev appeared in the upcoming “Raw”, where he slammed Otis and Akira Tozawa from Alpha Academy. Rusev currently has a two-year deal with WWE, but his wife, Lana, has a legendary deal with WWE.
“He belongs to television… he’s going to do great things in WWE,” JBL said. WWE believes it can send a message to wrestlers about how it will be presented in WWE. “WWE would want to send a message…and hope they do that.”
Known as “Milo” during his tenure, Rusev was largely without AEW because he was unable to make a satisfying and creative plan for the former AEW TNT champion. Rusev joins former AEW stars like Penta, Rey Fenix, Lexis King, and new North American champion Ricky Saints, who have joined WWE’s main roster.
