WWE Star Rusev's Extended Television Absence Linked To Injury And Illness

The broadcast showed signs that Rusev was hurt: after Je’Von Evans hit the Red Dot, Rusev rolled to the floor while the referee followed to check on him, though Rusev returned to the match before it ended.
A WWE source reportedly said shortly after the match that Rusev had lost feeling in his hand and was concerned he might be injured, directly disputing speculation that he had left because of problems with his creative direction.
Before the injury, Rusev had been working with Ethan Page in tag-team matches and had also competed on WWE’s summer and European live-event tours.
Rusev and Evans had met earlier in the summer: Rusev made Evans submit to the Accolade in a July 13 Intercontinental Championship gauntlet match.
Rusev and Evans had also both been part of the WrestleMania 42 ladder match, which Penta won.
WWE star Rusev has been off television since late July, but his absence has nothing to do with frustration over losing to Je'Von Evans. eWrestling reports that Rusev suffered a legitimate injury during that match—he landed awkwardly on his neck and lost feeling in his hands. WWE placed him in concussion protocol, and an undisclosed illness caused further delays. He's now awaiting final medical clearance and is expected back in September.
During the July 27 RAW match, Rusev took a hard bump after Je'Von Evans hit the Red Dot move. Yahoo Sports reports that Rusev landed on his neck awkwardly and developed numbness in both hands. The referee stopped to check on him, asking if the match should end. Rusev chose to continue, but his symptoms got worse. He left quickly after the bout to seek medical attention.
NoDQ confirms that WWE placed Rusev in concussion protocol following the injury. He received several weeks off to recover. When he returned to the Performance Center, an undisclosed illness set back his progress further. A WWE source told Fightful that Rusev lost feeling in his hand during the match and was genuinely concerned about a serious injury—directly contradicting claims he stormed off over creative frustration.
Before the July 27 injury, Rusev had been working regularly. WrestleZone notes he was teaming with Ethan Page in tag-team matches and competing on WWE's summer and European live-event tours. He had also faced Je'Von Evans earlier in July during an Intercontinental Championship gauntlet match on July 13, when Rusev won by making Evans submit to the Accolade. Both wrestlers also appeared in the WrestleMania 42 ladder match won by Penta.
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