Rusev has made no secret of his desire to return to the WWE Intercontinental Championship picture, but the arrival of his first child has added a deeply personal dimension to that ambition.
Rusev and his wife, former WWE star CJ Perry, recently announced that they are expecting a son next April. The couple plans to name their child Bear. As Rusev prepares for fatherhood, he says the moment has strengthened his resolve to make an impact in WWE and to pursue the Intercontinental Title.
Speaking with TMZ Sports’ Inside the Ring, Rusev said he has had his focus on the championship for a considerable period and remains convinced that he will eventually bring it home.
“I had been following the Intercontinental Title for over a year now, and I believe when the time is right I will bring it back home,” Rusev said. “Whether it’s before Bear or after Bear, this title will be mine. And now, especially knowing that Bear is coming, I have a lot more to fight for.”
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The statement places Rusev’s title aspirations in a larger context than a typical championship pursuit. For him, the Intercontinental Championship is not simply a prize to add to his record. It is part of the example he wants to set for his son, both through his work in the ring and through the determination required to return after a difficult stretch away from WWE television.
Fatherhood Adds A New Motivation For Rusev
Rusev’s comments made clear that he is already thinking about the values he wants to pass on to Bear. He described the coming chapter of his life as a new mission, one that will require him to demonstrate strength with purpose rather than simply projecting it in every direction.
“I have to teach my son how to be a man, how to stand up for himself, how to show his power where he needs to be, not just spread his power everywhere,” Rusev said. “Because you can, you have to concentrate your strength. So now this is going to be my next task, my next mission is to show my life to my child and how to behave when he grows up when I’m not here.”
Those remarks reflect a notable shift in how Rusev is framing his WWE goals. Competitive success remains central to him, particularly where the Intercontinental Title is concerned, but his focus is now tied to the example he hopes to provide as a father. In Rusev’s view, the discipline needed to chase a championship and overcome adversity can become a lesson that extends far beyond wrestling.
The name Bear has also given the news a distinctive personal touch. Rusev referenced his son directly while discussing his championship objective, making it clear that the anticipated arrival is already influencing the way he views his future. Whether the title pursuit reaches a conclusion before or after next April, Rusev sees it as something he will be fighting for with greater meaning behind it.
An Uncertain Return After Injury And Illness
Rusev’s determination comes after he was forced away from WWE programming in July. He suffered a neck injury that caused numbness in his hands, a serious issue that kept him out of action. An illness followed shortly afterward, extending the period in which he has been absent from television.
There is still no confirmed timetable for Rusev’s return to WWE. His absence has naturally left uncertainty around when he may be able to resume his pursuit of the Intercontinental Championship, and what situation may await him when he does. Rusev, however, does not appear to believe the layoff has erased the momentum or purpose behind his goals.
That confidence is important given the nature of an extended absence. Wrestlers who are removed from weekly television due to injury or illness often face questions about how quickly they can regain their place once cleared to return. Rusev’s comments indicate that he does not view his time away as a reason to lower his expectations. Instead, he continues to speak about the title as an eventual destination.
His stance is especially striking because he has been dealing with more than one setback. The neck issue and subsequent illness interrupted his WWE activity, but he has not presented those circumstances as an excuse. The impending birth of his son appears to have given him another reason to stay committed to the comeback ahead.
The Intercontinental Championship Remains The Goal
Rusev specifically identifying the Intercontinental Championship offers a clear indication of where he wants his WWE path to lead once he is back. He said he had been tracking the title for more than a year, suggesting this has not been a sudden goal created by the recent announcement about his family.
What has changed is the emotional importance attached to that pursuit. Rusev believes he has more to fight for now, and he wants to channel that feeling into a focused championship mission. His wording also leaves room for the realities of his recovery and WWE’s schedule. He did not make a prediction about an exact return date, nor did he claim a specific match was imminent. Instead, he expressed certainty that the time will come.
That measured approach fits the circumstances. Before he can resume a title chase, Rusev will need to return to WWE television following the time he has missed. Until there is official clarity on that next step, the Intercontinental Championship remains the target rather than a confirmed immediate destination.
Still, Rusev has established the message he wants associated with his eventual return: he is not coming back merely to restore his place on the roster. He wants to compete for a championship that he has been watching closely, and he wants to do so with a new level of personal motivation.
A Different Kind Of Mission
Professional wrestling careers are often defined by championships, rivalries, injuries, returns, and the ability to remain resilient through changing circumstances. Rusev’s current situation includes all of those elements, but it is the approaching birth of Bear that has become the center of his outlook.
The WWE star is looking ahead to a major family milestone with CJ Perry while also working through an uncertain period in his in-ring career. Rather than separating those two parts of his life, Rusev has connected them. The championship chase is now part of the story he wants his son to understand one day: a story about perseverance, purposeful strength, and standing up for oneself.
Rusev’s words also show that his motivation is not rooted only in proving that he can return from injury and illness. He is thinking about how his actions, achievements, and behavior can carry meaning for his family. That is why the Intercontinental Championship has become more than a competitive objective in his public comments.
For now, the practical question remains when Rusev will return to WWE television. No date has been announced, and the circumstances surrounding his absence mean that patience will be required before his next chapter can begin in the ring. But Rusev has left little doubt about the direction he wants that chapter to take.
With Bear expected next April, Rusev is preparing for fatherhood while maintaining a firm belief that the Intercontinental Championship will be in his future. He may not know whether that moment will arrive before his son’s birth or after it, but he is certain the pursuit carries more weight than ever. In Rusev’s eyes, he now has a new reason to fight—and a new mission to fulfill.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.