He was the "Best Man." He was "God’s Favorite Champion." He was "The Redeemer." Now, it looks like he’s just going to be Rusev again. After a run in All Elite Wrestling that started with a tank-sized amount of hype and ended with a quiet whimper, the miro return after aew exit is finally happening.
Honestly, it felt inevitable.
For months, the guy was a ghost. You’d check the AEW roster page, and there he was, staring back at you with those intense eyes, yet he hadn't stepped foot in a ring for over a year. His last match? A win over Andrade El Idolo at Worlds End in December 2023. Since then? Nothing. Silence. A few cryptic Instagram posts from Bulgaria.
Then the news broke in early 2025. Miro and AEW finally reached a mutual agreement to part ways. Reports from insiders like Mike Johnson at PWInsider confirmed he was spotted at WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, in April 2025. He wasn't there for a tour. He was there to sign.
The Messy Reality of the Miro Return After AEW Exit
Why did it fall apart? It wasn't just one thing. It was everything.
Miro’s AEW career was a series of "what ifs." He debuted as Kip Sabian’s Best Man, wearing Gucci and talking about video games. Fans hated it. It felt beneath him. Then, he pivoted. He became the TNT Champion and turned into a religious zealot who talked to his "hot wife" and a fickle God. That worked. People loved the Redeemer.
But then the "creative differences" started leaking out.
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Rumors—and keep in mind, these are the same rumors that plague almost every ex-WWE guy in AEW—suggested Miro wasn't happy with losing. There was a specific pitch for him to be in the All In Casino Gauntlet. He reportedly turned it down. There was a pitch for a program with Jon Moxley. That didn't happen either. When you’re a guy who knows your value and you see yourself as a main-eventer, sitting in the mid-card or doing "jobs" for younger talent can be a hard pill to swallow.
Tony Khan is known for having a massive roster. Sometimes, if a talent doesn't like the direction, they just... sit. Miro sat for a long time. He was reportedly healthy and cleared to wrestle for most of 2024, yet he stayed home.
Why WWE Wants Him Back Now
Timing is everything in wrestling. Triple H is running the show now, not Vince McMahon. Under the old regime, Rusev was often the butt of the joke—the cuckold storylines, the "Rusev Day" momentum that was intentionally cooled off.
But "The Game" loves a powerhouse.
Look at what’s happened recently. Other AEW "refugees" have made the jump. Rey Fenix. Ricky Starks (who was also scrubbed from the AEW roster page around the same time as Miro). Malakai Black. There is a clear pipeline forming where talent who feel lost in the AEW shuffle are heading back to the "global juggernaut" for a fresh start.
Miro is 39. He’s not a kid. He knows he only has a few prime years left. He’s gone on record saying, "We only have this body and age for so long... we must take advantage of it while we're young." He’s clearly done waiting for a "creative spark" that isn't coming.
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What to Expect from the "Bulgarian Brute" in 2026
When we talk about the miro return after aew exit, we aren't just talking about a guy changing lockers. We’re talking about a complete brand reset.
The word backstage is that he’s coming back as Rusev. Not the gamer. Maybe not even the Redeemer. WWE owns the "Rusev" trademark, and it’s a brand that still moves merchandise. The "Rusev Day" chants never really died; they just went dormant.
Here is what the landscape looks like for his comeback:
- The Schedule: Reports suggest he’ll be a "blue-chip" addition to either Raw or SmackDown immediately following the WrestleMania season.
- The Family Factor: His wife, CJ Perry (Lana), reportedly didn't accompany him to Stamford for the signing. However, they’ve recently rekindled their relationship and even renewed their vows. It’s almost a lock that she’ll join him eventually.
- The Opponents: Imagine Rusev vs. Gunther. That’s a meat-slapping-meat clinic that fans have been begging for. Or a feud with Bron Breakker. These are the kinds of matchups that simply weren't happening in AEW because of "creative" roadblocks.
It's easy to blame one side. Fans of Tony Khan will say Miro was "difficult." Fans of Miro will say Tony "wasted" him. The truth is usually somewhere in the middle. Miro is a specific type of performer who needs a specific type of booking to work. He’s a monster. Monsters don't work well in "work-rate" heavy environments where everyone gets 50% of the offense.
He needs to dominate.
The miro return after aew exit represents a shift in the industry. The novelty of AEW has worn off for some of the veterans. They’ve realized that "creative freedom" can sometimes mean "creative vacuum." In WWE, there’s a machine. There’s a script. There’s a plan. For a guy like Miro, who has been floating in purgatory for two years, a script probably sounds like a relief.
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Moving Forward: What Fans Should Do
If you’re a fan of the Bulgarian Brute, don't expect him to show up on Dynamite next week. That bridge hasn't just been burned; it’s been demolished.
Start watching the WWE "coming soon" vignettes. Historically, WWE loves to debut these big returns right after a major PLE (Premium Live Event) to capture the "reset" energy of the new season.
Keep an eye on social media. Miro has been much more active lately, showing off his physical condition. He looks like he’s in the best shape of his life. That isn't an accident. He’s prepping for the grind of the WWE road schedule, which is a lot more grueling than the once-a-week AEW life.
The miro return after aew exit is more than just a transaction. It’s a statement. It tells us that the "Wednesday Night Wars" have entered a new phase—one where the veterans are looking for stability and legacy over "creative input."
Whether he’s Rusev or Miro, one thing is certain: he’s too talented to be sitting on a couch in Bulgaria. The wrestling world is better when he’s in the ring, screaming about his God or his wife or his tank. It's time to get back to work.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Follow the Trademark Filings: Watch for WWE renewing "Rusev Day" or "The Bulgarian Brute" trademarks, which usually happens 30-60 days before a TV return.
- Monitor CJ Perry’s Socials: She is the biggest "tell" for where he is. If she starts posting from Florida or Connecticut, the return is imminent.
- Check the Roster Pages: Miro has already been removed from AEW’s official site. The moment he appears on the WWE "Alumni" or "Current" section, the deal is 100% official.