In 2010, Barnyashev signed a contract with WWE and was assigned to itsdevelopmental territoryFlorida Championship Wrestling (FCW), which was rebranded asNXT in 2012. He performed on NXT until 2014, when he and his managerLana were moved to WWE's main roster. During his initial tenure in WWE, he was a three-timeWWE United States Champion. He was released by WWE in April 2020, and debuted in AEW in September of that year, winning theAEW TNT Championship. He departed AEW in February 2025, returning to WWE that April.
In the mid-2000s, Barnyashev moved from Bulgaria to the U.S. with the ambition of becoming aprofessional wrestler. He originally lived inVirginia,[5] before relocating toTorrance, California, where he began training as a wrestler underGangrel andRikishi at the Knokx Pro Wrestling Academy.[1][3][5] Barnyashev debuted in theSan Diego, California-basedindependent promotion New Wave Pro Wrestling on November 22, 2008, under thering name "Miroslav Makaraov", defeating Aerial Star.[7] In 2010, Barnyashev joined theSanta Maria, California-based independent promotion Vendetta Pro Wrestling (VPW), shortening his ring name to "Miroslav". While wrestling for VPW, he wasmanaged by Markus Mac.[9]
Rusev returned to FCW in March 2012 with Nick Rogers as his manager.[12] In the summer of 2012, Rusev suffered abroken neck, temporarilyparalyzing his arm. While rehabilitating, Barnyashev travelled toThailand, where he studied themartial artMuay Thai.[5] In August 2012, WWErebranded FCW asNXT.[13]
After his neck healed, Rusev made hisNXT television debut on the May 29, 2013 episode, competing in abattle royal to determine the number one contender to theNXT Championship that was won byBo Dallas.[14] Rusev wrestled his first singles match on the August 21 edition ofNXT, losing toDolph Ziggler.[15] Shortly thereafter, Rusev adoptedSylvester Lefort as his manager and formed a short-livedtag team withScott Dawson named "The Fighting Legionnaires"; theyfeuded with the team ofEnzo Amore and Colin Cassady.[5][16][17][18] On the October 30 episode ofNXT, Rusev ended his affiliation with Lefort by attacking him during a tag team bout.[19]
Rusev (right) celebrating a win withLana in April 2014
Rusev made his main roster debut at theRoyal Rumble on January 26, 2014, where he was the sixth entrant in theRoyal Rumble match, where he was eliminated by the joint effort of four other 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 ofRaw, where hesquashedZack Ryder.[33] In May, Rusev adopted aRussophillic,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] This angle brought Barnyashev muchlegitimate heat in his native Bulgaria. In the same month, his ring name was shortened to simply Rusev.[38]
Rusev with the WWE United States Championship atWrestleMania 31.
On November 3, Rusev gained his first professional wrestling championship and became the first Bulgarian-born champion in WWE history when he won theUnited States Championship fromSheamus in a post-Raw match that aired on theWWE Network and proceeded to defeat him in a rematch via count-out.[48] AtSurvivor Series on November 23, Rusev competed in a 10-manSurvivor Series match as part ofTeam Authority but he was eliminated from the match bycountout.[49] Rusev and Jack Swagger once again feuded in December, leading to Rusev successfully defending the United States Championship against Swagger atTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 14. At theRoyal Rumble on January 25, 2015, Rusev entered the Royal Rumble match at number 15, eliminating six other contestants and placing second overall before being eliminated byRoman Reigns.[50] AtFastlane on February 22, Rusev successfully defended the United States Championship in a bout withJohn Cena.[51][52] Rusev lost the United States Championship to Cena in a rematch atWrestleMania 31 on March 29 after a miscommunication with Lana, ending his reign at 146 days and marking his first pinfall loss on WWE's main roster.[53]
"It was six minutes of Rusev being punished on live national television for getting engaged tohis longtime girlfriend ... [After] the cleanest job Rusev has ever done ... [Summer Rae] cutVince McMahon's promo for him ... totally castrated [Rusev] ... How they get Rusev back on track as a killer after this segment is beyond me, which may have been the intent."
—Wrestling Observer analyst Jeff Hamlin describes the storyline breakup of Rusev and Summer Rae in 2015[54]
Rusev failed to regain the championship the following month atExtreme Rules on April 26 in aRussian Chain match; during the match, Lana garnered a positive reaction from the crowd, leading to Rusev banishing her from ringside and causing dissension between the two.[55] Rusev lost to Cena once more atPayback on May 17 in an"I Quit" match after Lana conceded the match on his behalf.[56] The three pay-per-view losses in a row irreversibly damaged the air of power Rusev had built up, leading to TheSportster labeling it as aburial.[57] On the May 18 episode ofRaw, Rusev ended his affiliation with Lana, who slapped him in response.[58] On the May 25 episode ofRaw, Rusev reverted to being billed from Bulgaria and began carrying theflag of Bulgaria to ringside. Later that same evening, Rusev unsuccessfully attempted to reconcile with Lana.[59] Three days later onSmackDown, Rusev suffered afractured foot in a bout withRyback, rendering him unable to compete in theElimination Chamber match for the vacantIntercontinental Championship atElimination Chamber on May 31.[60] Despite his injury, Rusev still appeared on television and made further attempts to reconcile with Lana. Lana then began a storyline relationship withDolph Ziggler, whileSummer Rae began an alliance with Rusev. On the June 29 episode ofRaw, Rusev and Rae confronted Lana and Ziggler, leading to a fight between Rae and Lana.[61] On the July 6 episode ofRaw, Rusev and Rae once again confronted the couple, which turned out to be a ruse, as Rusev viciously attacked Ziggler after hitting him with his crutch and removed his ankle brace, revealing that his foot injury had healed. The attack resulted in Ziggler sustaining a bruised trachea in storyline and out of action indefinitely.[62][63]
Rusev made his in-ring return on the followingSmackDown, wrestling in shoes to avoid further foot injury, defeatingFandango.[64] On the July 13 episode ofRaw, Rusev answeredJohn Cena'sUnited States Championship open challenge. Rusev was then interrupted by bothKevin Owens andCesaro, who also demanded a shot at the title. This resulted in a triple threat match, where the winner would face Cena, which Rusev won after pinning Cesaro, as Owens had left the match early on. Afterwards, Rusev defeated Cena by disqualification, when Owens assaulted Rusev.[65] On the July 16 episode ofSmackDown, Rusev suffered his second loss by pinfall during his tenure on the WWE main roster when he was defeated by Cesaro in a singles match.[66] On the August 17 episode ofRaw, Ziggler returned and attacked Rusev.[67] This altercation prompted a match between Rusev and Ziggler atSummerSlam on August 23, which ended in a double countout due to interference from Lana and Rae, and after the match, Rusev and Rae brawled with Ziggler and Lana.[68] On the October 5 episode ofRaw, Raeproposed to Rusev in the storyline, but said he would not marry her until he had won another championship.[69] On October 11,TMZ reported that Rusev had become engaged to Lana inreal life.[70] Lana then confirmed the engagement[71] and it began being used in the storyline on television, which resulted in Rae breaking up with him on the October 12 episode ofRaw.[72] The entire storyline circulating around the break-up of Rusev and Lana received extremely negative reviews, with many claiming the storyline damaged Rusev'sgimmick.[73] On the October 31 episode ofMain Event, Rusev injured his bicep in a match with Neville, resulting in Neville winning the match via referee stoppage and Rusev being out of action.[74]
Rusev returned on the November 23 episode ofRaw, when he attackedRoman Reigns, and lost to him by disqualification afterSheamus andKing Barrett attacked Reigns.[75] A week later, on the November 30 episode ofRaw,Lana returned to the WWE, once again as avillainess, and reconciled with Rusev, during aMiz TV segment, and later in the same night, the two joined Sheamus' new stableThe League of Nations.[76] Throughout December, Rusev started a feud withRyback, with Lana faking injuries to distract Ryback and help Rusev gain advantage. AtTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 13, Rusev defeated Ryback by technical submission to end the feud.[77][78] Also in November, Rusev joined forces with Sheamus, King Barrett andAlberto Del Rio forming The League of Nations.[76] The faction aligned themselves withMr. McMahon and continued to targetWWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns. At theRoyal Rumble on January 24, 2016, Rusev entered theRoyal Rumble match at the No. 2 spot, but was eliminated by Roman Reigns in one and a half minutes.[79] On the March 14 episode ofRaw, Rusev and Del Rio failed to win theWWE Tag Team Championship fromThe New Day.[80] AtWrestleMania 32 on April 3, The League of Nations defeatedThe New Day, but after the match, The League of Nations was attacked byMick Foley,Shawn Michaels andStone Cold Steve Austin.[81]
Following WrestleMania 32, on the April 4 episode ofRaw, League of Nations members Sheamus and King Barrett were part of a losing effort against The New Day for the WWE Tag Team Championship after Barrett was pinned byKofi Kingston, and following the match, Barrett was exiled from the group being called the "weak link", but moments after,The Wyatt Family went on to attack the remaining members of The League of Nations.[82][83] On the April 28 episode ofSmackDown, Rusev walked out on Sheamus after Del Rio walked out the both of them, thus disbanding The League of Nations.[84]
Various feuds (2016–2017)
On the May 2 episode ofRaw, Rusev won a battle royal by last eliminatingZack Ryder to become the No. 1 contender for the United States Championship,[85] which he won for the second time by defeatingKalisto atExtreme Rules via submission.[86] Rusev defeated him in a rematch on the following week'sSmackDown,[87] after which he was confronted byTitus O'Neil, whom Rusev defeated atMoney in the Bank to successfully retain the title.[88] Rusev followed this with a successful third title defense against Cesaro[89] and defeated O'Neil on the July 4 episode ofRaw to retain the title.[90] Rusev was then challenged by Zack Ryder,[91][92] whom he defeated atBattleground for another successful title defense.[93] In the2016 WWE draft, Rusev, along with Lana, was drafted to Raw, taking the United States Championship with him.[94] On the August 1 episode ofRaw, after Rusev defeatedMark Henry to retain the title, Roman Reigns came out to confront Rusev.[95] The following week onRaw, Reigns interrupted Rusev andLana's wedding re-enactment, and issued a challenge to Rusev for the title. Rusev declined, and the two brawled, causing Lana to fall into a wedding cake. Backstage, Mick Foley told an angered Lana and Rusev that Rusev would defend the United States title against Reigns atSummerSlam. Later that night, Rusev successfully defended the title in an impromptu match againstCesaro, who felt that he should also have a shot at the title.[96] At SummerSlam, the match did not start after Rusev attacked Reigns before the bell rung and the two brawled outside of the ring, with Rusev suffering kayfabe injured ribs.[97] After costing Reigns the opportunity of becoming a No. 1 contender for theUniversal Championship,[98] Rusev defended the United States Championship against Reigns in a match atClash of Champions, which he lost, ending his reign at 126 days.[99] Rusev then received his rematch at theHell in a Cell pay-per-view in a Hell in a Cell match, which he lost.[100]
"Rusev has been quite the company man as of late, doing favors for many returning veterans while not being showcased the way he should be given his size, ring work, and ability on the mic. Knowing how talented Rusev is, it is hard to believe that he has failed to crack the main event picture during his WWE tenure."
Mike Souza ofPro Wrestling Torch commenting on Rusev's lack of success in WWE in February 2017[101]
On the November 21 episode ofRaw, after being locked out of his locker room,Enzo Amore ran into Lana in the hallway before being angrily confronted by Rusev. Rusev challenged Amore to a match later that night, quickly defeating him. The following week onRaw, Amore defeated Rusev by disqualification. AtRoadblock: End of the Line, Rusev faced Amore's tag partner,Big Cass, defeating him by countout. The following night onRaw, Rusev faced Cass again, this time defeating him by disqualification. That same night, Amore had to attend sensitivity training from the incident on the November 21 episode ofRaw. At the training, Rusev and his new ally,Jinder Mahal, attacked Amore. On the January 2, 2017, episode ofRaw, Rusev teamed with Mahal in a 2-on-1 handicap match, defeating Big Cass. AtRoyal Rumble, Rusev entered the Rumble match at number eighteen, lasting over 20 minutes before being eliminated by Goldberg. On the February 27 episode ofRaw, Rusev and Mahal began to show tension after Rusev inadvertently distracted Mahal, causing the two to lose to The New Day.[102] AtFastlane, general managerMick Foley placed Rusev and Mahal in singles matches that night after Mahal revealed his desire to return to singles competition. Rusev and Mahal both lost their respective matches againstBig Show andCesaro.[103] Both Rusev and Lana disappeared from television following Rusev requiring surgery for an injury.[104]
On April 11, Rusev was moved to theSmackDown brand as part of theSuperstar Shake-up.[105] On the April 25 episode ofSmackDown, Rusev made his first appearance on WWE programming since Fastlane, appearing via satellite, and declared that he would not make his debut on SmackDown unless he was given aWWE Championship match at theMoney in the Bank pay-per-view on June 18.[106] He was not granted his request, but on the July 4 episode ofSmackDown, he made his first appearance for the brand and confronted the returningJohn Cena, setting up aflag match forBattleground,[107] which he lost.[108]
In August, Rusev started a feud withRandy Orton and was defeated by Orton atSummerSlam in 10 seconds.[109] On the September 19 episode ofSmackDown, Rusev got his revenge on Orton by defeating him in the same time, after a distraction fromAiden English.[110] Soon after, Rusev assumed a new character where he proclaimed that every day was "Rusev Day".[111][112] This act became incredibly popular with the fans, despite the fact that Rusev played a villainous character.[113][114][115] As a result, WWE attempted to suppress positive feedback by editing out "Rusev Day" chants from crowds[116][117] and reducing Rusev's appearances on television.[118] AtHell in a Cell on October 9, Rusev lost to Orton again, thus ending their feud.[119]
In July, Rusev Day started a feud withAndrade "Cien" Almas andZelina Vega, thus turning themface in the process for the first time in his career. Rusev and Lana lost amixed tag team match to Almas and Vega atSummerSlam but defeated them in a rematch on the August 21 episode ofSmackDown.[130][131] AtHell in a Cell, Rusev and English unsuccessfully faced The New Day for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship.[132] On the following episode ofSmackDown, English attacked Rusev, ending their alliance.[133] English later claimed to have had an affair with Lana,[134] leading to a match on the October 23 episode ofSmackDown, where Rusev defeated English, ending their feud.[135]
After failing to win the United States Championship from Shinsuke Nakamura atCrown Jewel,[136] Rusev finally managed to capture the United States Championship for a third time in his career on the December 25 episode ofSmackDown Live.[137] On January 27, 2019, he lost the title back to Nakamura on theRoyal Rumble pre-show.[138] Two days later onSmackDown Live, Rusev confrontedR-Truth, who had just defeated Nakamura for the United States Championship, and pushed him into defending his newly won title against him, but Truth retained his title. After the match, Nakamura attacked Truth, and Rusev joined him in attacking Truth, thus turningheel again in the process and later forming a tag team with Nakamura.[139] On theFastlane pre-show, Rusev and Nakamura were defeated byThe New Day.[140] AtWrestleMania 35, Nakamura and Rusev competed in afatal four-way tag team match for theSmackDown Tag Team Championship, but were unsuccessful.[141] Rusev competed in a 51-man battle royal atSuper ShowDown, but failed to win.[142] Following Super ShowDown, Rusev began a sabbatical from WWE.[143]
Rusev returned on the September 16 episode ofRaw as a face[144] and was involved in a storyline where Lana was having an affair withBobby Lashley.[145] Seeking answers for Lana's infidelity, she accused Rusev of being a controllingsex addict,[146] leading to the two divorcing on the December 9 episode ofRaw, during which Rusev was attacked by Lashley.[147] At theTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view event on December 15, Rusev lost to Lashley in atables match, following interference from Lana.[148] On the January 13, 2020, episode ofRaw, Rusev lost to Lashley again following an interference from Lana andLiv Morgan, after the match, a mixed tag team match was scheduled between teams of Rusev and Morgan, and Lashley and Lana.[149] The mixed tag team of Rusev and Morgan was defeated by Lashley and Lana in the January 20 episode ofRaw.[150] Rusev teamed withHumberto Carrillo in a loss to Lashley andAngel Garza on the February 17 episode ofRaw.[151] This was Rusev's final appearance in WWE in his first run, as on April 15, he was released from his WWE contract as part of budget cuts stemming from theCOVID-19 pandemic.[152] His real life wife Lana, however, remained with WWE until she was also released over a year later in June 2021.[153]
All Elite Wrestling (2020–2025)
Alliance with Kip Sabian; TNT Champion (2020–2021)
Barnyashev, now known as Miro, debuted inAll Elite Wrestling (AEW) on the September 9, 2020, episode ofDynamite, where he was revealed asKip Sabian'sbest man for his upcoming wedding withPenelope Ford. Miro also took on the moniker of "The Best Man", claiming that he was the best at everything he does.[2] On the September 23 episode ofDynamite, Miro made his in-ring debut, teaming with Sabian to defeatJoey Janela andSonny Kiss.[154] In October, Miro and Sabian began feuding withBest Friends (Chuck Taylor,Trent, andOrange Cassidy), after they accidentally destroyed the arcade game that Miro had purchased for Sabian as a wedding gift.[155] On the November 4 episode ofDynamite, Miro had his first singles match in AEW, in which he defeated Trent.[156] At theBeach Break event on February 3, 2021, Miro officiated Sabian and Ford's wedding, but the ceremony was crashed by Taylor and Cassidy.[157] At theRevolution pay-per-view on March 7, Miro and Sabian defeated Cassidy and Taylor.[158] However, on the March 31 episode ofDynamite, Miro and Sabian were defeated by Cassidy and Taylor in anArcade Anarchy match, marking Miro's first loss in AEW.[159] Following this, Miro attacked and brutalized Sabian to end their alliance. Miro then became more dominant and aggressive in his matches.[160]
During this time, Miro furthered his shift in gimmick by adopting the moniker of "God's Favorite Champion", utilising new entrance music, and thanking his dominance in matches to his God during interviews and promos.[169][170] He also introduced a new championship belt, representing his hometown of Plovdiv; the black leather strap was changed to white, the red banner on the center plate was changed to green, and the inner side plates were changed to feature Plovdiv's coat of arms.[171]
On September 29, Miro lost his TNT Championship againstSammy Guevara, ending his reign at 140 days.[172] In subsequent promos, Miro aggressively questioned the motivation of his God.[173]
Following another lengthy absence, Miro made a return on the May 10, 2023 episode ofDynamite, where he walked into AEW CEOTony Khan's office.[180] Miro made his in-ring return on the premiere episode ofCollision on June 17, defeatingTony Nese in a squash match.[181] Afterwards, Miro started a feud withPowerhouse Hobbs, which led to a match atAll Out, where Miro defeated Hobbs. After the match, Hobbs continued to attack Miro only to be saved by the debutingCJ (Miro's wife, formerly known as Lana in WWE).[182] On December 30 atWorlds End, Miro defeatedAndrade El Idolo with the assistance of CJ in what would be his final AEW match.[183] After that event, Miro went on another hiatus to recover from an injury he had suffered in September 2023.[184] In September 2024, it was reported that Miro had requested his release from AEW, having only wrestled eleven matches since 2021.[185] In February 2025, Miro was reported to have departed AEW.[186]
Qatar Pro Wrestling (2025)
Miro wrestled his first match in over a year on February 22, 2025, at Qatar Pro Wrestling's eventSuper Slam III inDoha, losing toAlberto El Patron by disqualification.[187]
Return to WWE (2025–present)
Barnyashev, reverting to his Rusev name, made his return to WWE on the April 21, 2025 episode ofRaw, attackingAlpha Academy (Akira Tozawa andOtis) established himself as aheel.[188] On the May 5 episode ofRaw, Rusev made his in-ring return, defeating Otis.[189] He then started a feud with Sheamus, both men won a match against each other, along with getting into a double count out draw. The two then faced off for a 4th and final time atClash in Paris in an “Old Fashioned Donnybrook Brawl” Rusev would defeat Sheamus via submission.[190]
Professional wrestling style and persona
Barnyashev (top) (as "Rusev") applying "The Accolade" / "Game Over" (acamel clutch) toZack Ryder in 2014.
For the early part of his career, Barnyashev portrayed avillainous foreigner billed from Bulgaria or Russia. He nicknamed himself the "Bashing Bulgarian"[3] and the "Bulgarian Brute"[198] and, for a period of time, used theBulgarian national anthem as his entrance theme.[199] From 2017, he began portraying a moreheroic character who declared every day to be a public holiday called "Rusev Day".[113][200][114]
Upon debuting in AEW in 2020, Barnyashev changed his ring name to "Miro", adopting the nickname of the "Best Man".[201] After winning theAEW TNT Championship, he became a villainous character once more, adopted the nicknames "The Redeemer" and "God's Favorite Champion", and changed his gimmick to that of a violent man with agod complex.[202][203]
Barnyashev, along with other Vendetta Pro Wrestling (VPW) wrestlers, appeared in the music video for the song "The Whole F'n Show" by Kushinator (theentrance music of wrestlerRob Van Dam).[204]
After his release from WWE in April 2020, Barnyashev began hosting a streaming channel onTwitch, as well as aYouTube channel, under the name "Miro", shortened from his real name Miroslav. "Miro" would also become his ring name in AEW when he debuted for the promotion in September 2020.
Barnyashev married American professional wrestler, actress, and modelCJ Perry, also known as Lana, on July 29, 2016.[212][213] Barnyashev and Perry separated in winter 2023.[214][215] In March 2025,TMZ reported that the couple had reconciled.[216]
^Parry, Josh (March 4, 2012)."3/2 FCW results Kissimmee, Fla". Pro Wrestling Torch. RetrievedSeptember 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.
^abJames, Justin (October 10, 2013)."James's WWE Report 10/9". Pro Wrestling Torch. RetrievedOctober 11, 2013.'Rusev with a butt splash, then a Camel Clutch (he calls it "the Accolade") for the win.'
^James, Justin (November 1, 2013)."James's WWE NXT Report 10/30". Pro Wrestling Torch. RetrievedNovember 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.
^James, Justin (November 21, 2013)."James's WWE NXT Report 11/20". Pro Wrestling Torch. RetrievedNovember 21, 2013.The Mysterious Blonde announces Alexander Rusev. Apparently, she is "Lana" his social ambassador.
^Kapur, Bob (November 24, 2014)."WWE Survivor Series: The Authority feels the Sting of defeat".Slam! Sports.Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on November 24, 2014. RetrievedNovember 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.
^James, Justin (October 25, 2013)."James's WWE NReport 10/23". Pro Wrestling Torch. RetrievedOctober 31, 2013.Rusev puts Parker in The Accolade (Camel Clutch) for a quick tap-out victory.
^Taylor, Scott (November 21, 2014)."Rusev def. Dolph Ziggler".WWE. RetrievedNovember 23, 2014.[I]t was an explosive Superkick from the United States Champion that left the bleached-blond Superstar down for the three-count.
^Saxton, Byron (December 11, 2013)."Mistress of destruction: The true life story of Lana".WWE. RetrievedJanuary 3, 2014.As Social Ambassador to Alexander Rusev, Lana has declared herself the prime orchestrator of "The Bulgarian Brute's" path of destruction.
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