Rusev returned to WWE after five years of absence in the RAW episode after Wrestlemania 41, attacking and annihilating Otis and Akira Tozawa. The former AEW TNT champion interrupted a couples fight programmed between The New Day and Alpha Academy before he could start.
The return to the ring of The Bulgarian Brute to the company was very speculated online, with many fans predicting that he would respond to Randy Orton's open challenge in The Show of Shows. However, instead of facing The Viper at the Showcase of the Immortals this year, Rusev made a dominant return on April 21, 2025, destroying Alpha Academy.
Apparently he returned as a vicious Heel who attacked Babyfaces, but much of the vocal audience at the T-Mobile Arena was on the side of the Bulgarian forced.
What follows Rusev in 2025? Without further ado, let's examine seven potential opponents for the former three -time WWE United States champion in the red brand:
# 7. Otis de Alpha Academy Y # 6. Akira Tozawa
Considering Rusev's recent attack to Alpha Academy, Otis and Akira Tozawa are obvious options such as future opponents for The Bulgarian Brute. In a recent episode of Legion of RAWthe former WWE Vince Russo writer predicted that the debut of the 39 -year -old fighter would lead to two weeks of televised fighting between the former US champion. And the fighters he attacked.
“Brother, do you know why they did it in this way? We have two weeks of aligned fighting. We have Otis ready, and we have Tozawa. Rusev is reserved for the next two weeks, brother. Here we go. Write it right now. We probably have Tozawa in week one, and then we probably move on to Otis in week two. We have two weeks of victories for Rusev,” Russo said.
A confrontation between Tozawa and Rusev would be an Underdog story for the former WWE cruise champion. However, when it comes to Otis, Money In The Bank 2020 winner would be a more comparable opponent in size to The Bulgarian Brute compared to his Alpha Academy partner.
As the former WCW heavyweight champion suggested, wrestling fans will probably soon witness individual fighting between Rusev and Alpha Academy members. These fights would probably be used to increase the credibility of the newly returned Bulgarian in Monday Night Raw.
The current world couples champions, #5. Kofi Kingston and #4. Xavier Woods of The New Day
Kofi and Xavier were wise when leaving the ring when Rusev arrived to make a statement during his surprising return to the red brand. However, The New Day might not escape from Rusev's anger for a long time. Monday Night Raw lacks depth in its division of couples, and perhaps the returned Rusev can find a partner to add greater legitimacy and renewed interest to the division.
Rusev's former teammate, Aiden English, has potentially hinted to WWE to align with The Bulgarian Brute. He is currently employed by TNA, where he uses his real name, Matthew Rehwoldt, and works as a color commentator. Earlier this month, a fan wrote to Rehwoldt, mentioning the news of Rusev's firm with WWE and suggesting that “you need you to cross the door and use those golden ropes again.” Rehwoldt replied writing “… have my number.”
On the night of Rusev's return to WWE, Rehwoldt was causing fans with the possibility of a return from Rusev Day. The former star of The Vaudevillains wrote on social networks, “… and technically still being a free agent.” He continued that message with the words “The phone is on.”
Wrestling fans would be happy to see Aiden English return to reform Rusev Day at World Wrestling Entertainment. However, considering the expected reaction of fans, perhaps the duo would be better playing a tweener or babyface role against certified heels known as The New Day.
Rusev Day could not win the gold of The New Day in 2018, but maybe they have a better opportunity to achieve that task in 2025. Neither of them has won gold from couples in WWE's main roster, but English is a former Nxtch couples champion with Simon Gotch as part of The Vaudevillains.
#3. The former AEW couples world champion, Penta
Penta the fear seems occupied in a rivalry with The Judgment Day regarding the WWE Intercontinental Championship, currently in the hands of Dominik Mysterio. But with The Bulgarian Brute in the same Roster, it could only be a matter of time before the intrepid masked fighter crossing roads with Rusev in Monday Night Raw.
There have been speculation of fans and wrestling journalists about the possibility that the former redeemer joins the ranks of The Judgment Day, potentially as Dirty Dom bodyguard and as a group's executor. Mysterio, 28, recently defeated Penta and retained his intercontinental title with the help of the return JD McDonagh. Dominik has previously expressed interest in adding a new member to the faction, perhaps recruit Rusev to help him keep his gold newly cattle.
#2. WWE Intercontinental Champion, Dominik Mysterio
The WWE Intercontinental Championship is a title that eluded Rusev during his first stage in the company. Instead of joining The Judgment Day and helping Dirty Dom retain his gold, Rusev could potentially be an enemy of the group and pursue the title that Dominik won in Wrestlemania 41.
If Rusev has an impressive performance against Alpha Academy, he could go to green pastures, such as competing for the intercontinental championship. The relatively thin Dominik Mysterio would undoubtedly be the Underdog in a possible fight with the powerful Bulgarian. Dom could have to 'cheat to win' to overcome Rusev, which would protect the credibility of The Bulgarian Brute even in defeat.
#1. The former world champion four times, Sheamus
Celtic Warrior has not been seen in WWE televised programming since he competed in the Royal Rumble Male Combat earlier this year. The former world champion four times fought for the last time during WWE's European tour in March, losing Bron Breakker twice in individual fighting for the intercontinental championship. When I return to Monday Night Raw, he will probably be hungry for the title that has eluded him. There is also a possibility that he is in the sights of The Bulgarian Brute at some point in 2025.
Rusev and Sheamus were previously teammates at The League of Nations faction. The couple faced the United States Championship in 2014, but many fans have forgotten or are not aware that it happened. The two competitors never had a remarkable rivalry between them, but that could change if the 47 -year -old man returns looking for a fight against a Bulgarian Brute that seeks to destroy anyone on their way. A battle between the Irish of strong blows and the former AEW star would be predictably a real show.
