From The Rumour Mill: Rusev asked for WWE release before being added to Mania match?

What's the story?

Rusev was added to the United States Championship match at WrestleMania last week on SmackDown Live, but it seems that WWE could have been forced into making this decision by the former Champion, who wasn't happy with his position in the company.

In case you didn't know...

Rusev looked as though he was going to be taking his place in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal, before he was added to the United States Championship match to make it a fatal four-way after he was able to pin Randy Orton last week on SmackDown Live.

Rusev missed last year's WrestleMania through injury and it seems that he has struggled to find his place on the SmackDown roster since he returned and WWE decided to align his wife Lana with Tamina Snuka instead. Rusev and Aiden English have become a popular pairing, but it seems that WWE was hesitant to push the duo, even though they have been receiving a lot of attention from the WWE Universe.

The heart of the matter

It came as a surprise to many of the WWE Universe when Rusev was added to the match, since the entire build-up happened on one episode of SmackDown, and it could be because WWE was pushed into a corner when it comes to booking the match.

Mike Johnson recently revealed on PWInsider Elite Audio, that he had heard Rusev had requested his release because he was unhappy with his position in the company. (Transcript via RingSideNews)

"I know I heard a month or three weeks ago that Rusev was pushing for a release because he wasn't happy with how he was being used but I could not confirm that with a second source. So, it's possible it's true and I feel it's interesting that he was suddenly added to the match [at WrestleMania]."

If this is true, then it would explain why WWE added Rusev to the match so quickly, much to the delight of the WWE Universe.

What's next?

Randy Orton defends his United States Championship against Bobby Roode, Jinder Mahal and Rusev at WrestleMania. Rusev made his way to the ring in a tank back at WrestleMania 31, so his entrance could be another talking point this year.

Author's take

Rusev has been one of the company's most consistent performers for the past few years, even when WWE was trying to use him as enhancement talent he has still been able to connect with the audience. Rusev should be much higher in the company than he currently and it would be easy to believe that this is true, Rusev should be unhappy with his position in the company, he deserves much better.