Ex-WWE Superstar Rusev Reveals He Tested Positive for COVID-19 on Twitch Stream
July 12, 2020
Former WWE Superstar Rusev said on his Twitch gaming stream that he tested positive for COVID-19, per Liam Winnard of WrestleTalk.com.
The news comes after WWE Superstar Lana, who is married to Rusev, revealed that her parents have tested positive for COVID-19.
Lana's mother was in an ICU but is now out and is "doing much better," per remarks made on the CJ Perry YouTube channel. Her father's condition has also improved.
Rusev's positive test has been confirmed by his agent to Robert DeFelice of Fightful, who reported how the wrestler revealed his condition on Twitch.
"On the stream, [Rusev] was playing Valorant with WWE Superstar Cesaro and when Cesaro asked if he was heading to the gym today, Rusev has confirmed that he was on his way out the door when he received word that he has COVID-19."
As DeFelice wrote, WWE released Rusev on April 15 along with many other wrestlers and staff members amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
There have been rumors and speculation about Rusev joining Impact Wrestling after the promotion showed a Bulgarian flag in its Slammiversary promo video in June, per Marc Middleton of Wrestling Inc.
Rusev, who was born and raised in Bulgaria, addressed the speculation on his Twitch channel:
"As I said, any Bulgarian can go and debut. They may have another kid from Bulgaria. I keep saying that. Could be anybody. Look, I don't know why you think it's me. I understand why you think it's me, but I can't confirm or deny. Or I don't wanna confirm or deny. Maybe they wanna pay me a million dollars for one match. Who knows? Maybe I'll come in."
Rusev made his professional wrestling debut in 2008 with New Wave Pro Wrestling, an independent wrestling promotion based out of San Diego. Two years later, WWE landed Rusev on a contract and sent him to Florida Championship Wrestling, the promotion's then-developmental territory.
He debuted on NXT in 2013 and made his main roster debut in 2014. He won the United States Championship belt three times.