WWE reportedly had plans for Rusev to return to RAW. However, an injury has delayed those plans and forced the company to make a change.

The Bulgarian Brute last wrestled on the July 27 episode of RAW, where he faced Je’Von Evans. Rusev finished the match, but reports later revealed that he had suffered an injury during the bout. The setback has kept him out of action since then.

His absence has also affected WWE’s plans for Ethan Page, who was expected to get a new tag team partner. However, the company went in a different direction on the October 26 episode of RAW.

Rusev’s planned WWE TV return was reportedly pulled from RAW

During a recent Q&A session, WrestleVotes’ JoeyVotes and TC discussed the tag team match between Chad Gable and Dragon Lee against Ethan Page and Big Cass on RAW.

JoeyVotes revealed that WWE originally planned to pair Page with Rusev, but the injury forced the company to change its plans.

“The tag match, Chad Gable and Dragon Lee taking on Big Cass and Ethan Page. They wanted to find someone for Ethan Page, find a tag team partner for him. It was supposed to be Rusev. Rusev’s dealing with a little injury. He’s on his way back,” JoeyVotes said (H/T: EWRESTLINGNEWS).

It is unclear whether WWE will revisit the proposed partnership once Rusev is ready to return to TV.

Rusev’s latest absence began after his match against Je’Von Evans on the July 27 episode of RAW. His wife, CJ Perry, later revealed that Rusev had landed awkwardly on his neck. He also told the referee he couldn’t feel his hands. Despite the scary moment, he finished the match before being sidelined.

According to Fightful Select, Rusev spent two weeks in concussion protocol following the incident. He eventually returned to WWE’s Performance Center, but an undisclosed illness reportedly caused further delays in his recovery.

There had been some positive news. Rusev returned to the ring at WWE live events in Honolulu, Hawaii, on October 16 and 17. Those appearances were an encouraging sign after several months away from action.

However, wrestling at live events does not confirm when he will return to WWE television full-time.

The post WWE Nixed Plans for Rusev’s TV Return on Oct. 26 RAW — Report appeared first on Wrestlezone.