Rusev and CJ Perry Recall McMahon's WWE Direction

Professional wrestler Miroslav Barnyashev, known in the ring as Rusev, and his wife, CJ Perry, formerly Lana, shared candid recollections of their experiences working under WWE executive Vince McMahon during the debut episode of Perry's podcast, Identity Crisis. The couple discussed McMahon's inconsistent creative guidance on Rusev's character alignment and a notable 2019 meeting focused on Rusev's physical transformation, offering a glimpse into the decision-making process behind WWE storylines.

In 2019, Rusev returned from a three-month hiatus noticeably slimmer, weighing around 260 pounds after dropping from his usual 300-pound frame while competing in a United States Championship feud with Shinsuke Nakamura. During a meeting with McMahon, the former WWE chairman expressed dissatisfaction with the change. Perry recounted McMahon's words: "I want my 300-pound Bulgarian Brute. That man puts asses in seats. That heel. I want you as a heel, I want you 300 pounds, Bulgarian Brute, because that sells tickets." Rusev responded affirmatively, saying, "Turn me heel, brother. I'm the best heel in the business. Turn me heel."

Perry interpreted the feedback as an indirect compliment,...