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Jim Ross Wants AEW To Sign Released Superstar That WWE "Missed On"

Posted: Apr 22nd 2020 By: Alex Hoegler - TheSportster.com

AEW commentator Jim Ross wants AEW to go after a veteran superstar that WWE released last week.

Last week, WWE performed dozens of budget cuts, with over 20 superstars plus multiple producers, writers, on-air personalities and other staff members losing their jobs.

One of the most surprising talent cuts was Rusev, a well-respected and popular mid-card performer who was rarely seen on television in the weeks leading up to his release. His real life wife, Lana, is still with the company - and it doesn't sound like WWE will be releasing her.

Rusev is now one of the biggest free agent wrestlers available, and current AEW play-by-play commentator Jim Ross would like to see his company make a play for the former United States Champion.

Speaking on his Grilling JR podcast (h/t Paul Davis of WrestlingNews.co), Ross explained why Rusev would be a great fit in AEW - and that he believes WWE "missed on" the Bulgarian Brute.

"I think that Rusev is the kind of guy that you can bring in and he’d be a great contender for any title," Ross said. "Would I like to see a Moxley/Rusev match? Of course, I would. I’m a wrestling fan, why wouldn’t I? To me, he would be my priority.

"I haven’t asked that, I haven’t contributed that piece of information. Our fans are hearing it from me first out of my head. But he’s the kind of guy – they missed on him. WWE missed on Rusev and they gave him a great build, they invested...and they just all of a sudden boom. I don’t know what was the reason for the boom. He worked on his body, he’s lean and he looks great, he’s young..."

Ross also praised the 34-year-old for being "a soft-hearted, well-raised guy," noting that he hasn't heard anything "scandalous" about Rusev. J.R. also expressed a desire to call Rusev's matches, adding that he's "real high on" the former WWE talent.

J.R. certainly makes some strong points about Rusev. In 2018, "Rusev Day" surged to the top of merchandise sales, and fans began treating the longtime heel as a babyface. But WWE simply failed to capitalize on the opportunity, refusing to give him a long overdue push.

AEW moved quickly to sign Jon Moxley (Dean Ambrose), Brodie Lee (Luke Harper) and Matt Hardy shortly after they left WWE. So it wouldn't be the least bit surprising if they looked to sign Rusev and other released WWE talents right away.

AEW Should Sign Rusev Before Somebody Else Does

Whenever a superstar is released from WWE, it's easy to link them to AEW right away. No, Tony Khan isn't going to sign every former WWE talent he can, but Rusev is somebody that AEW needs to go after. He is somebody who, at the very least, can enhance the mid-card division. But if he landed in AEW, maybe Rusev would receive that main event push he never received in WWE? At any rate, this looks like the perfect match.