Alexander Rusev

Alexander Rusev

Rusev on Raw in April 2014.
Birth name Miroslav Barnyashev[1]
(Bulgarian: Мирослав Барняшев)
Born December 25, 1985
Plovdiv, Bulgaria[2][3]
Resides Nashville, Tennessee, United States[4]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Alexander Rusev[1]
Miroslav[2]
Miroslav Makarov[2]
Rusev[5]
Billed height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[5][3]
Billed weight 138 kg (304 lb)[5]
Billed from Bulgaria[6]
Russia[5]
Trained by Florida Championship Wrestling[1]
Gangrel[1][3]
Rikishi[3]
WWE NXT[5]
Debut November 22, 2008[7]

Miroslav Barnyashev (Bulgarian: Мирослав Барняшев; born December 25, 1985), known by his former ring name Alexander Rusev and currently performing as Rusev, is a Bulgarian professional wrestler and former powerlifter and rower. He works for the American professional wrestling promotion WWE, where he is a former United States Champion.[3][5] Barnyashev is the first Bulgarian to have wrestled for WWE.[2]

Early life

Barnyashev was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.[3] He attended a sports school while growing up and competed in rowing and powerlifting as an adult.[3]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2008–2010)

In the mid-2000s, Barnyashev emigrated from Bulgaria to the United States with the ambition of becoming a professional wrestler. He originally lived in Virginia,[3] before relocating to Torrance, California, where he began training as a wrestler under Gangrel and Rikishi at the Knokx Pro Wrestling Academy.[1][2][3] Barnyashev debuted in the San Diego, California-based independent promotion New Wave Pro Wrestling on November 22, 2008, under the ring name "Miroslav Makaraov", defeating Aerial Star.[7] In 2010, Barnyashev joined the Santa Maria, California-based independent promotion Vendetta Pro Wrestling (VPW), shortening his ring name to "Miroslav". While wrestling for VPW, he was managed by Markus Mac.[8] He and several other VPW wrestlers appeared in the music video for the song The Whole F'n Show by Kushinator (the entrance music of wrestler Rob Van Dam).[9]

World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE

Developmental territories (2010–2014)

Rusev at WrestleMania Axxess in April 2013 in his Muay Thai-inspired ring attire.

In September 2010, Barnyashev was signed to a contract by the professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).[2] He was assigned to the WWE's Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) developmental territory, where he adopted the ring name Alexander Rusev.[1] He wrestled his first televised match on the July 17, 2011, episode of FCW, defeating Mike Dalton while being managed by Raquel Diaz.[10][11] Shortly after debuting in FCW, Rusev tore both his anterior cruciate ligament and his meniscus and spent six months rehabilitating.[3]

Rusev returned to FCW in March 2012 with Nick Rogers as his manager.[12] In the summer of 2012, Rusev suffered a broken neck, temporarily paralyzing his arm. While rehabilitating, Barnyashev travelled to Thailand, where he studied the martial art Muay Thai.[3] In August 2012, WWE rebranded FCW as WWE NXT.[13]

After his neck had healed, Rusev made his NXT television debut on the May 30, 2013, episode, competing in a battle royale to determine the number one contender to the NXT Championship that was won by Bo Dallas.[14] Rusev's first NXT singles match came about on August 21, losing to Dolph Ziggler.[15] Shortly thereafter, Rusev adopted Sylvester Lefort as his manager and formed a short-lived tag team with Scott Dawson named the "Fighting Legionnaires"; they feuded with the team of Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady.[3][16][17][18] On the October 30 episode of NXT, Rusev ended his affiliation with Lefort by attacking him during a tag team bout.[19]

Rusev proceeded to adopt Lana as his "social ambassador",[20] a pairing compared by WWE to Ivan and Ludmilla Drago from the 1985 film Rocky IV.[21] In matches taped before his main roster debut,[22][23] Rusev defeated main roster wrestlers Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Sin Cara in singles matches, which aired on NXT in January and February.[24][25][26]

Rusev continued to appear sporadically on NXT after joining the main roster in April 2014. He made his final appearance on July 24, 2014, getting disqualified against NXT Champion Adrian Neville in a non-title match.[27]

Hero of the Russian Federation (2014–present)

Rusev (right) with Lana in April 2014.

Rusev made his main roster debut at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view on January 26, 2014. The sixth entrant in the titular match, Rusev was eliminated by the joint effort of four wrestlers.[28][29] After months of self-promotional videos and speeches by Rusev and his manager Lana,[30][31][32] Rusev's return match on the main roster came on the April 7 episode of Raw, where he squashed Zack Ryder.[33] In May, Rusev adopted a Russophillic, anti-American gimmick that saw him announced as having relocated to Russia,[34][35][36] and as having been named "Hero of the Russian Federation".[37] In the same month, his ring name was shortened to simply Rusev.[38] Over the next several months, Rusev feuded with Xavier Woods and R-Truth (whom Rusev defeated at Extreme Rules in a two-on-one handicap match) and Big E (whom he defeated at Payback and at Money in the Bank),[39][40][41] Jack Swagger (whom he defeated at Battleground and again at SummerSlam),[42][43] Mark Henry (whom he defeated at Night of Champions)[44] and Big Show (whom he defeated at Hell in a Cell).[45] Lana dedicated Rusev's string of victories to President of Russia Vladimir Putin, drawing attention from the mainstream press – including The Washington Post and The Daily Beast – and criticism after she was interpreted as having referred to the crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 before Rusev's match at Battleground in an attempt to generate heat.[34][46] On the October 6 episode of Raw, Rusev and Lana were confronted by The Rock in a surprise appearance; with The Rock driving Rusev from the ring after a verbal exchange.[47]

Rusev making his entrance at WrestleMania 31.

On November 3, Rusev gained his first professional wrestling championship and became the first Bulgarian-born champion in WWE history when he won the United States Championship from Sheamus in a post-Raw match that aired on the WWE Network.[48] On November 23 at Survivor Series, Rusev competed in a 10-man Survivor Series match as part of Team Authority. Rusev was eliminated from the match by countout after crashing through the Spanish announce table.[49] Rusev and Jack Swagger once again feuded in December, leading to Rusev successfully defending the United States Championship against Swagger at TLC. On January 25, 2015, at the Royal Rumble, Rusev entered the Rumble match at number 15, eliminating six other contestants and placing second overall.[50] At Fastlane on February 22, Rusev successfully defended the United States Championship in a bout with John Cena.[51][52] He lost the United States Championship to Cena in a rematch at WrestleMania 31 on March 29 after a miscommunication with Lana, ending his reign at 146 days and marking his first clean loss on WWE's main roster.[53] He failed to regain the championship the following month at Extreme Rules in a Russian Chain match.[54] Later that night, it was announced that Rusev would receive another rematch against Cena for the title at Payback in an "I Quit" match.[55]

Other media

Barnyashev, as Rusev, made his video game debut as a playable character in the WWE 2K15 video game and has his own path in the "Who Got NXT" mode for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game, documenting his matches in NXT.[56]

Personal life

Barnyashev is in a relationship with Catherine Perry, better known by her ring name Lana, who is his on-screen valet. They live together in Nashville, Tennessee.[4]

In wrestling

Rusev (right) applying The Accolade on Zack Ryder (bottom) in April 2014 while being watched by his manager, Lana.

Championships and accomplishments

Rusev displaying the United States Championship and Russian flag in February 2015.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Byer, Matthew (October 21, 2011). "Gangrel still a force at 42". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "World Wrestling Entertainment Signs 'The Bashing Bulgarian'". Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency). One Click Media Group. September 30, 2010. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 3.12 Saxton, Byron (August 29, 2013). "Alexander Rusev: NXT's brewing storm". WWE. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "WWE Stars Lana and Rusev: in Russia we buy house together...before marriage". TMZ. Time Warner. March 1, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 "Rusev". WWE. 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Alexander Rusev – FCW Profile". Florida Championship Wrestling. Archived from the original on April 29, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2014. Finishing move: Bulplex
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Alexander Rusev". Gerweck.net. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Vendetta Pro Wrestling results – Winter Wonder Slam (Jan. 2010)". Vendetta Pro Wrestling. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Vendetta Pro superstars appear in Rob Van Dam's Theme Song Video by Kushinator". Vendetta Pro Wrestling. October 27, 2010. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Trionfo, Richard (July 17, 2011). "Florida Championship Wrestling television report". PWInsider. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Pendry, Ryan (July 9, 2011). "7/8 FCW results in Gainesville, Fla.". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Parry, Josh (March 4, 2012). "3/2 FCW results Kissimmee, Fla.". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 15, 2013. Rusev and Rogers are a very impressive tandem. Rusev, the big man, stomped out to the ring as Rogers joined him in jeans and a bedazzled jacket, loudly blowing a whistle.
  13. ↑ "WWE News: FCW name being phased out". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  14. ↑ Witner, Emerson (May 30, 2013). "WWE NXT TV report". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 James, Justin (September 5, 2013). "James's WWE NXT Results 8/21 & 8/28 & 9/4". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Saxton, Byron (September 12, 2013). "Making money: Sylvester Lefort's lucrative path to NXT". WWE. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 James, Justin (September 13, 2013). "James's WWE NXT Report 9/11". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 James, Justin (October 10, 2013). "James's WWE NXT Report 10/9". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved October 11, 2013. 'Rusev with a butt splash, then a Camel Clutch (he calls it "the Accolade") for the win.'
  19. ↑ James, Justin (November 1, 2013). "James's WWE NXT Report 10/30". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 3, 2013. 'Lefort comes into the ring and Rusev knocks him to the mat with a belly splash for no obvious reason. [Rusev] goes to the back without Lefort.'
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 James, Justin (November 21, 2013). "James's WWE NXT Report 11/20". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 21, 2013. The Mysterious Blonde announces Alexander Rusev. Apparently, she is "Lana" his social ambassador.
  21. ↑ Saxton, Byron (December 4, 2013). "'The NXT Champ Report': Bo Dallas evaluates five of NXT's rising stars". WWE. Retrieved January 3, 2014. Alexander Rusev and Lana remind me of that duo from "Rocky IV."
  22. ↑ "Ongoing NXT Spoilers: Updated 11:21 pm ET". PWInsider. November 11, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  23. ↑ "WWE NXT Spoilers from Full Sail University". PWInsider. January 10, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  24. ↑ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT results 1/1 – Week 79: Zayn/Generico in 2/3 Falls match, Kingston, Natalya, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  25. ↑ James, Justin (January 9, 2014). "James's WWE NXT Report 1/8". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT report 2/5 – Week 84: Triple H makes an announcement, Neville/Pac vs. Graves, Sin Cara, Kidd, Rusev, Emma, more; Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  27. ↑ James, Justin (July 25, 2014). "James's WWE NXT Report 7/24". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  28. ↑ Caldwell, James (January 26, 2014). "Rumble PPV news: Batista, undercard losers not included, this year's surprise entries, Bray's big night, The Crowd". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  29. ↑ Murphy, Ryan; Linder, Zach. "Full list of Royal Rumble Match participants and eliminations". WWE. Archived from the original on March 21, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  30. ↑ Parks, Greg. "Parks's WWE SmackDown report 1/31: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Friday show, including The Shield vs. Daniel Bryan & Sheamus & Rey Mysterio". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  31. ↑ Parks, Greg. "Parks's WWE SmackDown report 2/7: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the Friday night show, including Orton vs. Christian". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  32. ↑ Caldwell, James. "Caldwell's WWE Raw results 3/10: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – Bryan "hi-jacks" Raw, Taker & Hogan back on TV, Cena vs. Wyatts feud continues". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  33. ↑ Caldwell, James (April 7, 2014). "Caldwell's WWE Raw results 4/7". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Teeman, Tim (May 14, 2014). "Putin Vs. Obama—In Spandex: Wrestling’s New Cold War". The Daily Beast. IAC/InterActiveCorp. Retrieved May 25, 2014.
  35. ↑ Seife, Andy (May 4, 2014). "Alexander Rusev def. R-Truth & Xavier Woods (2-on-1 Handicap Match)". WWE. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
  36. ↑ Payne, Marissa (May 5, 2014). "Vladimir Putin makes his WWE debut at 'Extreme Rules'". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  37. ↑ Benigno, Anthony (June 2, 2014). "Raw results: The Shield shatters and Wyatts rebound as Money in the Bank takes shape". WWE. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  38. ↑ Benigno, Anthony (May 5, 2014). "Raw results: Evolution adapts, Adam Rose celebrates and Sheamus triumphs". WWE. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  39. ↑ Caldwell, James (June 24, 2014). "Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 6/23". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  40. ↑ Caldwell, James (June 1, 2014). "Caldwell's WWE Payback PPV Results 6/1". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  41. ↑ Caldwell, James (June 29, 2014). "Caldwell's WWE MITB PPV Results 6/29". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  42. ↑ Caldwell, James (July 20, 2014). "Caldwell's WWE Battleground PPV Results 7/20". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  43. ↑ Caldwell, James (August 17, 2014). "Caldwell's WWE SummerSlam PPV Results 8/17: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Cena vs. Lesnar". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  44. ↑ Caldwell, James (September 21, 2014). "Caldwell's WWE NoC PPV Report 9/21". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  45. ↑ "Rusev def. Big Show via submission".
  46. ↑ Payne, Marissa (July 21, 2014). "WWE alludes to Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 during ‘Battleground’ and it did not go over so well". The Washington Post. Katharine Weymouth. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  47. ↑ Caldwell, James. "Raw News: Rock surprise return, Reigns non-live return, Edge back on TV, Lesnar MIA, next week's Raw guest star, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  48. ↑ Caldwell, James. "Raw News: Rusev captures U.S. Title on WWE Network, Vince McMahon returns, Orton gone from Authority?, no Cena, IC Title match, Xavier Woods re-packaged, Ambrose-Wyatt, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  49. ↑ Kapur, Bob (November 24, 2014). "WWE Survivor Series: The Authority feels the Sting of defeat". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved November 24, 2014. Rusev crashed hard through the table. Ziggler got back into the ring, but even with help from HHH's minions, Rusev wasn't able to get there before the ref counted to 10 and he was counted out.
  50. ↑ Caldwell, James (January 25, 2015). "Caldwell;s Royal Rumble PPV Report 1/25". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  51. ↑ Clapp, John. "WWE United States Champion Rusev vs. John cena". WWE. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  52. ↑ Caldwell, James (February 22, 2015). "Caldwell's WWE Fast Lane PPV results 2/22: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of Bryan vs. Reigns, Cena vs. Rusev, Sting-Hunter confrontation, final PPV before WM31". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  53. ↑ Caldwell, James (March 29, 2015). "CALDWELL'S WM31 PPV RESULTS 3/29: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of WWE World Title match, Taker's return, Sting vs. Triple H, Cena vs. Rusev, more big matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  54. ↑ Caldwell, James (April 26, 2015). "CALDWELL'S EXTREME RULES PPV REPORT 4/26: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live PPV - Rollins vs. Orton steel cage, Cena vs. Rusev, Last Man Standing, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  55. ↑ Clapp, John. "United States Champion John Cena vs. Rusev ("I Quit" Match)". WWE. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  56. ↑ Sirani, Jordan (October 24, 2014). "WWE 2K15 who got NXT mode announced and detailed". IGN. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  57. ↑ James, Justin (October 25, 2013). "James's WWE NXT Report 10/23". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved October 31, 2013. Rusev puts Parker in The Accolade (Camel Clutch) for a quick tap-out victory.
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 Trionfo, Richard. "Post WWE Raw match coverage: United States Title match: Rusev versus Sheamus". PWInsider. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  59. ↑ Trinonfo, Richard (June 10, 2011). "Florida Championship Wrestling spoilers for July 3, July 10 and July 17 shows". PWInsider. Retrieved February 1, 2014. Alexander Rusev defeated Mike Dalton with an Oklahoma Roll into a German suplex for the three count.
  60. ↑ Parks, Greg. "Parks's WWE SmackDown report 4/18: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Friday show, including Batista vs. Sheamus". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  61. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "WWE NXT Report: A Voice From The Past Returns; NXT Title Match Set For 2/27; The Airplane Spin Gets Grounded; And More". PWInsider. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  62. ↑ "WWE Battleground: Weekend rivals Rusev and Jack Swagger have plenty in common". Sky Sports. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  63. ↑ Taylor, Scott (November 21, 2014). "Rusev def. Dolph Ziggler". WWE. Retrieved November 23, 2014. [I]t was an explosive Superkick from the United States Champion that left the bleached-blond Superstar down for the three-count.
  64. ↑ http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/545441-wwe-smackdown-results-012215/3
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 65.2 Trionfo, Richard. "WWE NXT Report: Zayn Versus Cesaro Two Out Of Three Falls; Divas Title Match; Dolph Ziggler In Action; A Tough Enough Alumnus In Action; The Ascension; CJ Parker And Tyler Breeze; And More". PWInsider. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 Trionfo, Richard. "WWE NXT Report: Beat The Clock Challenge; Bo Dallas Slideshow; Bayley Vows Revenge; New Interviewers". PWInsider. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 67.2 Trionfo, Richard. "WWE NXT Report: Sing Off; A Big Return; Two Out Of Three Falls Match; Number One Contender Match; And More". PWInsider. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 68.2 68.3 Trionfo, Richard. "WWE NXT Report: Women's Title Status; Tag Champs Versus Tag Champs In Six Man Action; And More". PWInsider. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  69. ↑ Oliver, Greg. "Rusev wins U.S. title on WWE Network". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  70. ↑ Parks, Greg (January 2, 2015). "Parks's WWE SmackDown report 1/2: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Friday show, including Roman Reigns vs. Rusev, Big Show vs. Ryback". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  71. ↑ Parks, Greg (December 26, 2015). "Parks's WWE SmackDown report 12/26: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Friday show, including Hulk Hogan appearance, U.S. Title match, Kane vs. Ryback, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  72. ↑ 72.0 72.1 Trionfo, Richard (April 18, 2014). "WWE SmackDown Report". PWInsider. Retrieved April 27, 2014. Rusev puts Truth on the top rope and he connects with a series of knees to the ribs...Lana gives Rusev the signal and he hits a uranage slam.
  73. ↑ James, Justin (January 9, 2014). "James's WWE NXT Report 1/8". PWTorch.com. Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 26, 2014. Rusev hits a Samoan Drop on the running Woods for one.
  74. ↑ James, Justin (January 16, 2014). "James's WWE NXT Report 1/15". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  75. ↑ Parks, Greg (July 19, 2013). "Show results – 7/18 NXT in Tampa, Fla.". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  76. ↑ Caldwell, James (May 5, 2014). "Caldwell's WWE Raw results 5/5: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – PPV fall-out, U.S. Title battle royal, IC Title re-match, Shield vs. Wyatts, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  77. ↑ Bishop, Matt (April 7, 2014). "Raw: A night of new beginnings". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  78. ↑ Saxton, Byron (December 11, 2013). "Mistress of destruction: The true life story of Lana". WWE. Retrieved January 3, 2014. As Social Ambassador to Alexander Rusev, Lana has declared herself the prime orchestrator of "The Bulgarian Brute's" path of destruction.
  79. ↑ "Daniel Bryan vs. Batista: photos". WWE. Retrieved March 15, 2014. The Bulgarian "Super-Athlete" has come to Raw.
  80. ↑ Gutteridge, Darren (September 6, 2013). "9/5 Gutteridge's WWE NXT Review: Sami Zayn vs. Jack Swagger, Corey Graves vs. Rick Victor, Alexander Rusev vs. Mason Ryan, and Bayley and Charlotte vs. Alicia Fox and Aksana". ProWrestling.net. Retrieved January 25, 2014. Rusev came out to the Bulgarian national anthem.
  81. ↑ "Рев на лъвът (Roar of the Lion) Alexander Rusev". iTunes. February 28, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  82. ↑ "The music of WWE NXT". WWE. March 5, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  83. ↑ "Most Improved Wrestler of the Year". Pro Wrestling Illustrated 36 (2): 16–17. 2015.
  84. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2014". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  85. ↑ 85.0 85.1 Meltzer, Dave (January 26, 2015). "Jan. 26, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2014 awards issue w/ results & Dave’s commentary, Conor McGregor, and much more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter (Campbell, California): 9–33. ISSN 1083-9593.
  86. ↑ "Rusev's first United States Championship reign". WWE. Retrieved November 4, 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rusev.