Miroslav Barnyashev, popularly known by his ring name Rusev, is a Bulgarian- American professional wrestler, currently working with World Wrestling Entertainment on the Raw brand. Miroslav is currently recognized as one of the dominant wrestling figures in the WWE. He is the only Bulgarian to have wrestled inside WWE squared circle.
Miroslav started his wrestling career by taking training under Gangrel and Rikishi at the Knox Pro Wrestling Academy. He then became a part of an Independent wrestling promotion New Wave Pro Wrestling under the ring name Miroslav Makarov.
Miroslav joined World Wrestling Entertainment in 2010 where he became a three-time WWE United States Champion and bagged Slammy Award for Match of the Year (2014) – Team Cena vs. Team Authority at Survivor Series.
EARLY LIFE
Miroslav Barnyashev was born on December 25, 1984, in Plovdiv, People’s Republic of Bulgaria. He persuaded his academics from sports school where he participated in rowing and powerlifting.
PERSONAL LIFE
Miroslav Barnyashev resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Catherine Perry, better known as Lana. He tied a knot with Lana in July 2016. He hails from a Bulgarian family where his mothers’ name is Slavka Barnyashev.
PROFESSIONAL LIFE
Miroslav Barnyashev started his professional wrestling career in 2008 where he began training as a wrestler under Gangrel and Rikishi at the Knox Pro Wrestling Academy. He then advanced to an Independent wrestling promotion New Wave Pro Wrestling under the ring name Miroslav Makarov. In 2010, Miroslav joined the Santa Maria, California-based independent promotion Vendetta Pro Wrestling (VPW).
In 2010, Miroslav signed a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment and was assigned to its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) under the ring name Alexander Rusev. In 2012, he traveled to Thailand, where he studied the martial art Muay Thai. Rusev made his return to FCW rebranded as NXT in 2013 and lost his first singles match to Ziggler.
Rusev started appearing with Lana as his manager in 2013 during his tenure with NXT. He joined the WWE main roster in 2014 with his manager Lana. He had feuded and defeated several superstars in continuation that includes Xavier Woods, R-Truth, Big Show, and others. With his consecutive victories over his opponents, Lana dedicated Rusev’s string of victories to President of Russia Vladimir Putin. Rusev bagged his first professional wrestling championship and became the first Bulgarian-born champion in WWE history when he won the United States Championship from Sheamus.
From 2015 to 2016, Rusev, along with Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio, and Wade Barrett started a group named ‘League of Nations’. In 2016, Rusev won a battle royal by last eliminating Zack Ryder to become the No. 1 contender for the United States Championship. He then went on to win the title for the second time by defeating Kalisto at Extreme Rules via submission.
In 2017, Rusev started his feud with Randy Orton and was defeated by Orton at SummerSlam in 10 seconds. At the Greatest Royal Rumble event in 2018, he faced The Undertaker in a Casket Match, but he lost. He also bagged an opportunity to become the number one contender for AJ Styles‘ WWE Championship at Extreme Rules, however, he was defeated by Styles. He also feuded with Nakamura and defeated him to capture the United States Championship for the third time in his career. At WrestleMania 35, Nakamura and Rusev competed in a fatal four-way tag team match for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship but were unsuccessful. He also participated in a 51-man battle royal at Super ShowDown but failed to win. Rusev is currently in a storyline with Lana and Lashley where Lana divorced Rusev to marry Lashley. At the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, Rusev lost to Lashley in a tables match, following interference from Lana.
Rusev made his video game debut as a playable character in WWE 2K15, WWE 2K16, WWE 2K17, WWE 2K18, and WWE 2K19. In 2016, Barnyashev also appeared as himself in WWE’s Total DivasSeason 6.
HONORS
Ranked No. 8 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2015
Most Improved Wrestler of the Year (2014)
ACHIEVEMENTS
Rusev is a three-time WWE United States Champion
Rusev won Slammy Award for Match of the Year (2014) for Team Cena vs. Team Authority at Survivor Series
PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS
HEIGHT: 183 cm
WEIGHT: 138 kg = 304 lbs
EYE COLOR: Dark Brown
HAIR COLOR: Black
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Full Name: Miroslav Barnyashev
Age: 35 years
Date of Birth: December 25, 1984
Hometown: Plovdiv, People’s Republic of Bulgaria
Zodiac: Capricorn
Religion: American- Bulgarian
EDUCATION:
School: Sports school
FAVORITE CELEBRITIES
Favorite wrestler: Rikishi and Shawn Michaels
Favorite actor: Brad Pitt
Favorite actress: Angelina Jolie
Hobbies: Wrestling, gymming, watching football, playing video games
Favorite Food: Steak, Grilled Chicken
Dream Holiday Destination: Spain
Favorite Color: Black and Red
NET WORTH
$1 Million estimated
CONTROVERSY
Not having a controversial career until now
SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBulgarianBrute/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RusevBUL
Instagram: @rusevig