10 times WWE changed a Superstar's nationality

#7 Rusev

Rusev represented Russia

Now, this one is a bit of an odd one. Rusev is The Bulgarian Brute, born in Plovdiv, but he "chose" to represent Russia in his early WWE main roster days after being paired with the ravishing Russian, Lana.

In fact, Rusev was first billed from Moscow, Russia, on the main roster of WWE before he was confirmed to merely be representing the country due to his affiliation with Lana - probably a smart choice considering the Bulgarian flag in a map he has tattooed on his right bicep. While the flags are very similar when seen from a distance as a tattoo, but the map of the country is not.

Rusev's Russian persona was predominantly to make him more of a heel because, well, politically, there's no heat between USA and Bulgaria, and WWE wanted to have the "Hero of the Russian Federation" dedicate his victories to Vladimir Putin - yes, really - and there were even some questionable mentions in promos that made mainstream press in the USA.

The Russian character was said to have put some heat on Rusev in his native country of Bulgaria.

Rusev has now parted ways with the WWE and is currently signed to rival brand All Elite Wrestling.