Rusev’s professional wrestling career is at cross roads right now. Lana was arguably one of the best parts about The Bulgarian Brute and now that they are going separate ways, there are big chances of Rusev ending up like just another wasted foreign heel.
The Lana angle is apparently going to run for the time being in the company and now WWE needs to worry about how they should book Rusev in the future.
Rusev is indeed a solid talent in between the ropes making it important for the company to keep him running for a few more years. WWE does have their options of saving him if they look deep and here is a look at the best ways in which WWE could book Rusev once he completely breaks up with Lana.
Make him a Paul Heyman Guy
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One of the major reasons why WWE paired up Lana with Rusev was probably because of his shortcomings on the microphone. It is not like Rusev is bad in the promo business but he is not anywhere near the main event quality that he should be. Now that Lana is gone, Rusev will need someone to talk for him.
And who can be a better talker than Paul Heyman? The guy is being wasted with the part-time appearances with Brock Lesnar as he could really come in and make Rusev look like Gold. If WWE does have plans of letting Rusev have a run in the main event scene, then making him a Paul Heyman Guy is what the company should do.
Find him a new valet
If they cannot afford to make Rusev a Paul Heyman guy, then they could just find a replacement valet for the Bulgarian Brute. Lana did a wonderful job in the role and came over pretty well in front of the WWE Universe. A new diva could do just the same if WWE finds someone talented enough.
There are two possibilities here. Either WWE could let a current diva take up the role as Rusev’s valet or they could introduce someone new from NXT. The latter would be preferable as WWE fans will have a chance of looking into the new angle without any assumptions. There are a lot of talented girls down in NXT and WWE will not have much trouble finding someone.
Letting him win the Money in the Bank
The next big stop for Rusev after the Intercontinental Championship match at Elimination Chamber will be Money in the Bank. He is probably going to get a spot in the ladder match and letting him win would shoot him into the main event scene. Like all the heels that won the Money in the Bank before, Rusev could shine.
And once he cashes in at some point, he could even be a WWE champion. This however might not sit well with the fans but then again, on the longer run, this gives WWE a credible heel in the main event scene, which is clearly something that they lack now. Rusev could hang on to the briefcase for the better part of year and then cash in on some babyface champion.
Find him a Tag Team partner or Stable partners
The Tag team division is seeing big improvements these days. There have been a plethora of teams flown into the mix and the division could use the addition of a foreign heel team as well. All WWE needs to do is find Rusev a partner.
Getting someone from the main roster or picking from NXT would do the work just like the valet situation. On the main roster, they could just build a stable of Foreign Heels around him with the likes of King Barrett and Sheamus. Having a stable is a brilliant idea for the roster as the fans would really love to see some stable wars like back in the Attitude Era.
As far as NXT is concerned, Baron Corbin, Bull Dempsey or even Rhyno could make a good partner for Rusev.
Let him join the Authority
The Authority is where all the big heels belong to. They have been reigning as the top feel faction in WWE for nearly two years now and they are really losing the steam right now. The likes of Big Show and Kane are not getting the work done as henchmen. There is a certain need of new recruits there and they could do wonders with Rusev.
Rusev walking along with Stephanie McMahon and Triple H will certain raise his stock and at the same time it will keep them near the main event scene. After a long time, Rusev could just turn on Hunter and then have a face run, similar to the one that Batista had a long back.