It doesn't really matter how famous I am. What's important is that Bulgaria is represented in a good and positive way all around the world.Collection: Positive
It just makes me smile - every time I hear somebody say 'Rusev Day,' it just makes me smile.Collection: Smile
I attended sports school in Bulgaria just like my parents. I attended class twice a day and trained twice a day.Collection: Sports
The Rock taught me you don't always have to talk or move all the time. You can just stand there and soak it in. Let the crowd just do what they do.
I would have never thought that somebody like me from the small country of Bulgaria could make it in WWE.
I do want to look my best - I do want to be at my best - 'cause I do want to be WWE Champion. I do want to be on top.
I feel like, the more you hang around, the more you're forgotten. It doesn't matter how good you are.
I had a friend named Vasil Rusev in my rowing classes. I've always liked that name. When I first started in WWE, I had the opportunity to choose a name, and I choose Rusev.
I always knew what I had, and I knew I was more than just 'the foreign guy.' I have personality, and as soon as I had chance to show it, I just did it. A lot of people don't like it, and a lot of people frown upon it and think I should just be stuck in that box, but it's just not me.
I am an artist, and I have a lot more to offer than just being a one-dimensional character, and I think our audience sees that and understands that - they're behind it.
When you have been stuck in that heel, bad-guy role as the foreigner who never talks, you want to get out of there, have fun, and just be you.
Being the United States champion, it makes me elevate the title even more because, at the end of the day, that is what I wanna do. I wanna elevate the title, whether it be the world championship, the universal championship, any of these titles.
Eventually, one day, you know, cream rises to the top. So, you know, I'm waiting... I'm waiting for the rise.
Long before the late '90s, being a pro-wrestler was a dream of mine. At that time, I was going around the block, searching for VHS tapes so I can watch Hulk Hogan.
I wake up, and the first thing is to find a Starbucks so I can get a coffee. After that, I have a breakfast and head into the gym.
Becoming heavyweight champion and holding the top title is on my bucket list. That spot is always getting tighter and tighter, but why not? A man can always dream.
I want my name to be remembered for 1,000 years. That way, I will never be forgotten when I'm done inside the ring.
I've always had an interest in Muay Thai fighting. I love the discipline and toughness of it, so I traveled to Thailand to study ways to incorporate it into my style.
Shinsuke, as champion, wasn't even doing anything and wasn't defending it and was hiding all the time.
It all started as a dream. Just watching as a kid, just watching Hogan, just watching WWF - it was amazing.
I had two or three jobs at the same time just I could afford myself and pay rent and school. Then I had a tryout with WWE, and I got signed right away.
I had the opportunity to come to the United States of America as an exchange student, so I had to come for four months, work, and then go back.