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.
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 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.
I learned to kick trees with my bare feet to strengthen my legs.
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 had so much backlash because, before in NXT, I used to come out with the Bulgarian national anthem. And people were like, 'Oh, why are you embarrassing the anthem?' How am I embarrassing the anthem? I'm from the freaking country.
I feel like, the more you hang around, the more you're forgotten. It doesn't matter how good you are.
I attended sports school in Bulgaria just like my parents. I attended class twice a day and trained twice a day.
It just makes me smile - every time I hear somebody say 'Rusev Day,' it just makes me smile.
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 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.
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.
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.
Holy crap, cross fit! It's terrible, but I'm doing that now. Anything so that I can look better.
Most wrestling fans in WWE heard about Bulgaria after I showed up on the scene.
How does Vince McMahon feel about Rusev Day? He's supportive; he's trying to teach me a lot.
When I get fired up, all of that is me. You have to have fun with it because it's who you are.
Eventually, one day, you know, cream rises to the top. So, you know, I'm waiting... I'm waiting for the rise.
There's a lot of people I take stuff from, and it's mostly bad guys in movies.
When an American person hears you speak a different language, you're automatically the bad guy.
