The future of Rusev and Lana affected by real life tragedy?

[WarroBODFan]

May I first of all say that my thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the terrible MH17 tragedy, and that my thread is not meant to undermine the situation in any way whatsoever, and if it comes across that way I truly apologize. But this is a wrestling forum first and foremost, so I feel this is a fair topic to discuss. After the terrible news broke yesterday, does this significantly affect the recent Rusev and Lana push in the WWE?

I've seen many people on Twitter calling this a Hassan 2.0 situation already, and while it's difficult to know what will happen going forward, do you think they may alter the characters? Do you think they might ditch them, or keep them off TV for some time? Do they put Swagger over at Battleground? Or do they just go with it? Lana broke character on Twitter to extend her sympathies, for what it may be worth. I honestly have no idea what the plan will be going forward.

 

[A11oftheLights]

I think we wont be seeing putin on the tron at the very least. It will be very interesting to see what happens. Its enevitable that Rusev ends up failing, he is just too one dimensional. Hopefully this changes the character.

What happens to Lana after Rusev goes though? Is she terminated as well or does she just become another diva and is she still russian

 

[TootsieBear]

I was thinking the same thing yesterday. Personally I wouldn't be surprised to see something happen to his promos with Putin now. Like, you wouldn't be hearing Lana bringing up Putin in promos because of the incident yesterday.

 

[A11oftheLights]

I was thinking the same thing yesterday. Personally I wouldn't be surprised to see something happen to his promos with Putin now. Like, you wouldn't be hearing Lana bringing up Putin in promos because of the incident yesterday.

Imagine the heat she could get if she did though

 

[TootsieBear]

Imagine the heat she could get if she did though

I can imagine it'll be a lot like when Sgt Slaughter turned heel and supported Iraq. Oh, I can't wait to see what happens.

 

[Tyrant25]

This is exactly what happened with Muhammad Hassan. Great heel, had a great thing going for him, but something happens and it all goes awry. I would prefer Lana/Rusev to cut the Vladimir Putin admiration and focus on the anti-American shtick. The only thing that scares me is the fact that Rusev comes out with the Russian flag, and the Russian medal, and has a Russian-inspired attire, and is announced from Russia... the entire gimmick would have to be altered and it'd definitely come off as weird.

 

[boozinjedi]

I definitely sense some changes happening to his character on the immediate horizon.
This might be another case of real world events affecting wrestling storylines.
I was thinking the same thing some of the other posters had said,you probably won't be seeing the Putin love fest as hard.
Don't be surprised if Lana and Rusev aren't on tv for the next couple weeks though.

 

[Wrestlingaholic]

They aren't showing Putin in a positive light, his visage elicits heat when displayed on behalf of two heels

WWE may be sensitive and not have his picture at Battleground or Raw but no need to cut it out completely

Russia has blamed Ukraine anyway so until the world knows for sure that Moscow is involved, why panic?

Mohammed Hassan's gimmick wasn't destroyed by real-life events, as such, it was the reaction the media gave it - when they totally misunderstood it. Unfortunately WWE acquiesced and actually converted Hassan's gimmick Ito exactly what the media believed it to be, rather than fighting them and proving them wrong.

Lana's character has longevity, with or without Rusev. It helps that she is a stunning heat magnet of course

 

[TheHitMark-SirJoseOle]

Professional Wrestling has changed, I mean look at it like this, nine years back when Taker and Hassan had their feud, it escalated and paralleled with the real life London bombings in July of 2005. That incident led to Hassan being removed from SmackDown broadcasts, and UPN was not happy to say the least. Fast forward to The Great American Bash of that year, and Hassan is seemingly sent into oblivion via a Last Ride off the entrance ramp from Taker, never to be seen in WWE again. And all of this was BEFORE WWE went PG and had overdid their explanations of being an "entertainment" business.

So with that said, I got a feeling that the Rusev and Lana characters are on borrowed time, at least in the form we know them as now. This isn't like the 80s and 90s where Vince and co. could have more free reign to do what they'd like.

As someone who's been watching since the 80s, this angle doesn't have the backing to survive today's WWE mindset.

 

[OmniSavant]

What happened yesterday won't affect anything in WWE one bit. WWE is known to use everything, good or bad, to its advantage. They used Paul Bearer's death for their advantage rather than respecting his legacy. So I'm sure that they see benefits about the plane crash and will use it to bolster its storylines. WWE is apathetic to anything and everything in the world. It's heartless. Only cares about what is best for business. Sad, but true.

 

[Tyrant25]

What happened yesterday won't affect anything in WWE one bit. WWE is known to use everything, good or bad, to its advantage. They used Paul Bearer's death for their advantage rather than respecting his legacy. So I'm sure that they see benefits about the plane crash and will use it to bolster its storylines. WWE is apathetic to anything and everything in the world. It's heartless. Only cares about what is best for business. Sad, but true.

Are you really comparing Paul Bearer's death to the plane incident? Bearer's death was a completely different situation. We're talking about the shooting down of a plane killing over 200 people. And since when was WWE apathetic? Please give me an example. Go ahead and try.

 

[WarroBODFan]

What happened yesterday won't affect anything in WWE one bit. WWE is known to use everything, good or bad, to its advantage. They used Paul Bearer's death for their advantage rather than respecting his legacy. So I'm sure that they see benefits about the plane crash and will use it to bolster its storylines. WWE is apathetic to anything and everything in the world. It's heartless. Only cares about what is best for business. Sad, but true.

Not a fair comparison, at all. Paul Bearer was a mainstay of the WWE, and it was said numerous times by his friends that he would've loved the storyline using his passing and would've given it his blessing. Sure, it was "edgy" and took the Punk/Taker & Kane feud to a different level, but it pales into comparison to potentially using the plane crash to push Rusev/Lana's heel status. Not even close.

 

[Slash-LN]

What happened yesterday won't affect anything in WWE one bit. WWE is known to use everything, good or bad, to its advantage. They used Paul Bearer's death for their advantage rather than respecting his legacy. So I'm sure that they see benefits about the plane crash and will use it to bolster its storylines. WWE is apathetic to anything and everything in the world. It's heartless. Only cares about what is best for business. Sad, but true.

Were you not around for Hassan and the London bombings? As soon as that happened the Hassan character was done. It got too much negative backlash and UPN didn't want the character on screen.

With everything the way it is now WWE probably couldn't afford to have that sort of negativity.

A few months ago when the Russia/Ukraine stuff started becoming major news I questioned if Lana and Rusev would be affected by it and people said no because he's Bulgarian and it didn't matter that Lana was Russian.

However this is in no way comparable to that. This is a much bigger thing. If it is proven that in fact it was a Russian missile that brought that plane down then I could see them changing the characters in some form.

I would think that the WWE is at least preparing a strategy in case they feel they need to change the characters or sponsors or the USA network ask them to change or get rid of the characters completely.

 

[Catacomb]

with everything going on, the match with swagger would be an ideal time to put jack over and quietly retire the russian gimmick. this is reminiscent of the slaughter turn in 1991, sure it got heat, but not the right kind of heat. most people found it distasteful and id wouldnt be surprised to see wwe send rusev to nxt for a gimmick change

 

[SuperTaco]

With all that's gone on since the plane was shot down, and Putin saying it was "Ukraine's fault for keeping tensions high", I think the Putin admiration from Lana has to stop. Or they could totally flip the coin and use it to get heat, but can they get away with that? I have my doubts..

 

[No Count Pup]

The Ukraine plane crash has heightened tensions between the United States and Russia. Keeping in mind WWE's history of letting world events influence storylines, do you think WWE will put Swagger over Rusev for a feel-good, patriotic moment? It happened with Hogan vs. Slaughter and Angle vs. Austin.

 

[JoeFromTomsRiver]

I think they're going to have Lana come out with one of those bazookas like Chyna used to use on the ramp when she came out.

Seriously though, I'n not sure what the WWE is thinking here. They certainly won't reference it. They have too much time and effort invested into Rusev, they aren't going to risk having to completely get rid of him like they had to do w/ Hassan. (And I think Rusev is a better talent than Hassan so they're more likely to tread lightly)

So I would not be surprised to see Swagger go over Rusev at Battleground, he'll drop Lana, take a month off, and then come back as The Authority's enforcer (Kane isn't going to be in that role much longer)

Lana's days are numbered. Maybe not forever, but certainly in her current role. I don't see how they can continue having her be Rusev's mouthpiece and have her totally drop the US vs. Russia bit. So she'll be taken off TV too most likely, but transitioning her from her current gimmick won't be as easy as Rusev. Rusev isn't even Russian, they don't pretend that he's Russian, why he's associated with Russia in the first place is still not that clear. But that's Lana's gimmick, SHE is the Russian, so the change would be dramatic.

 

[wrestler36]

I think WWE will steer clear of this isolated incident. Lana and Rusev will still play up the Russia card, but WWE would be foolish to use this crash so soon after it happened. As wrestling fans, I do think that we are making a bigger deal out this situation (Rusev and Lana playing Russian/Bulgarian characters) than it really is, as WWE is really such a niche bubble in the entertainment world. Regardless, if Rusev and Lana stay the course and not mention anything about this tragic crash, then it won't be a big deal

 

[Reflection]

I don't think WWE will let this incident dictate their creative direction. Two reasons for that:
First, Lana and Rusev are among the best heels they've got in the company right now. Even boring stars like Swagger and Big E get reaction when placed against them. Its not worth trying to look sensible to some people and just waste all the time, money and effort they put behind these two talents.
Second, the official probe for the plane crash is still pending. Both Russia and Ukraine are trading blames, and there is no definite proof to determine who is responsible (although things point towards Russia right now).

 

[Softcore Holly]

I seriously doubt they'll ever reference/mention it, it's the type of heat they absolutely do not want. Too much of a headache, no real upside. As for BG I suspect they'll make it some sort of indecisive finish to the keep the feud going for a while longer.

 

[Mudlup50]

Hopefully they don't kill the feud because of it, like Softcore Holly said hopefully it'll be a no decision no matter how much I don't like them, it works here. Rusev could snap in the ring and just all out assault Swagger, or Zeb can get involved and cost Swagger the match. Doesn't hurt his credibility just keeps the feud afloat. Now let me also say that as long as Lana doesn't mention it, it shouldn't be an issue at all! The Hassan thing apparently involved an episode of Smackdown also, I don't remember the details but Hassan was doing some really heel things, all Lana has done is say Russia is a great country.

So just ignore it for now at least and keep pushing Rusev...possible storyline, Rusev turns on Lana saying he never was from Russia that he was lying to get with Lana ;D still gets heel heat on him

 

[WarroBODFan]

With all that's gone on since the plane was shot down, and Putin saying it was "Ukraine's fault for keeping tensions high", I think the Putin admiration from Lana has to stop. Or they could totally flip the coin and use it to get heat, but can they get away with that? I have my doubts..

I think it would generate heat from many more people and groups than just the WWE universe if they really pushed the envelope with Rusev and Lana. It would be "distasteful" at best. I guess at least some of the questions we have will be answered at Battleground.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

Unfortunately with the current issues they have on Wall Street it is inevitable this is going to be dropped. The characters can be salvaged, it's not Muhammed Hassan bad... but Lana will no longer be mentioning Vladimir Putin and I am pretty sure Rusev will lose to Swagger now...

Mentioning Putin now is a no-no, it will make the investors twitch and if Sanctions do end up in play then it can be quite a politically difficult situation. It isn't 1991 any more and while not many Americans were on the plane, several Brits, Australians and Dutch were... all massive allies of the US... so glorifying the man many are claiming indirectly "responsible" for this is not going to be smart publicity or investment wise.

Lana will be the character that has the most "potential", they're already moving her more to "glamour shot" type photo shoots on the site, so the natural way to resolve this is to have her embrace America and Swagger is her way to do that. She ends up "with" Swagger and enjoying the freedoms of America, leaving Rusev to turn the rage of losing her into his gimmick rather than it being for "Russia".

Of course Vince may use First Amendment (ironic considering the actual tone and nature of the feud) and that is' an entertainment show to keep it going... but this is not the Vince who was bold with Saddam/Slaughter... this is a Vince running a little bit scared after the big stock drop and cutting costs... He's not going to want to upset ANYONE right now...

So a rematch where if Swagger wins he "get's" Lana for works... It's a shame but at the end of the day Lana is seemingly the one WWE will be able to use long term, not Rusev...

 

[dingman29]

Lana or Zeb won't go near the subject... if anybody makes any type of comment it will be JBL on commentary...

as tragic as it is, you don't here people (normal people, not media) talking about this crash like the malaysian crash... I'd imagine they will go on with the program like its nothing...

Hopefully they don't kill the feud because of it, like Softcore Holly said hopefully it'll be a no decision no matter how much I don't like them, it works here. Rusev could snap in the ring and just all out assault Swagger, or Zeb can get involved and cost Swagger the match. Doesn't hurt his credibility just keeps the feud afloat. Now let me also say that as long as Lana doesn't mention it, it shouldn't be an issue at all! The Hassan thing apparently involved an episode of Smackdown also, I don't remember the details but Hassan was doing some really heel things, all Lana has done is say Russia is a great country.

So just ignore it for now at least and keep pushing Rusev...possible storyline, Rusev turns on Lana saying he never was from Russia that he was lying to get with Lana ;D still gets heel heat on him

From what i've heard from a Daivari interview and a Legends of Wrestling episode:
the WWE was high on Hassan to the point where Stephanie McMahon was working creatively with the two, which was unheard of...

the UPN network did not like his extremist characteristics... UPN was instrumental in the character's demise

 

[supernatural1981]

What if.........they can use this terrible tragedy to turn Rusev and Lana face?

Now hear me out what if the pair of them denounce what happened with the plane and say "Putin is not the hero we thought he was, he wont even take responsibility for this either through his own orders or Russian seperatists."

Possibly have Zeb berate them for not standing their ground as far as their patriotism goes which gives you the chance to do a double turn.

Zeb and Swagger are better as natural heels and as for Lana and Rusev we dont know what they could do as faces.

If not just get him to denounce Russia for the incident and go back to being "The Bulgarian Brute" and keep Lana as herself but not praising Putin any more.