Top star shares a three-word message on anniversary of WWE appearance with Lana and Rusev
A top wrestling star shared a throwback photo to celebrate the anniversary of his WWE appearance with Rusev and Lana. Joe Hendry previously worked as an extra for the company before becoming a household name for TNA Wrestling.
Rusev was with WWE for a decade, starting at developmental in 2010 and spending four years there. He was called up to the main roster in 2014 and immediately received a push.
On the November 10th, 2014, episode of RAW, Joe Hendry appeared as a Russian diplomat during a ceremony involving The Bulgarian Brute and his valet, Lana. It was his second time on WWE television with his debut as a Rosebud on the May 19th edition of RAW earlier that year.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Hendry shared a photo of himself with Rusev and Lana during the segment. He wrote a three-word reaction celebrating a decade after it happened:
"10 years ago," Hendry tweeted.
10 years later, Joe Hendry is one of the most popular wrestlers outside of WWE. Hendry made his official debut for the company back in June as part of WWE's partnership with TNA Wrestling. He even challenged Ethan Page for the NXT Championship at No Mercy but lost.
Rusev joined AEW after WWE release
After 10 years in WWE, Rusev was released by the company in 2020 as part of the budget cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic. His real-life wife Lana was released a year later.
Following his departure from the biggest wrestling company in the world, the former WWE star signed with All Elite Wrestling. He began using the name Miro and went on to win the TNT Championship once.
However, Miro's tenure in AEW has been tumultuous due to injuries and reported creative differences. He last wrestled for the company at World's End on December 30, 2023, against Andrade El Idolo, who is now back in WWE.
According to Fightful Select, Miro requested his release from AEW last September but it was denied. He's still under contract and hasn't been seen on television for 11 months. He signed a four-year extension back in 2022, so he has at least two more years left in his deal.