AEW's Miroslav 'Miro' Barnyashev, formerly known as Rusev, returning to WWE

After spending the better part of the last 5 years with AEW, the wrestler known as Miro, was spotted at WWE HQ on April 2nd, with rumors circulating of an imminent return to the company. Miro previously spent over a decade, from 2010 to 2020, in WWE performing as Rusev.

The news was first reported by PW Insider. 

Miro recently requested a release from his five-year AEW contract. 

A three-time former United States Champion in his first stint with WWE, Rusev (real name Miroslav Barnyashev) counts the likes of John Cena, Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, and The Undertaker among his former rivals. After an up and down few years with AEW, where he spent more than two of his five years on the sidelines, including all of 2024, time will tell if his return to the company where he made his name will reinvigorate his career.
 
With Wrestlemania 41 in Las Vegas just weeks away, the timing of his re-introduction will certainly be something to keep an eye on.

As will whether CJ Perry (formerly WWE's Lana) makes a return alongside him, following TMZ reports in March of their reconciliation. The pair worked together in AEW, from which Perry was released in 2024. They broke out together in WWE's NXT brand, with her as his manager between 2013 and 2016.