On the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer commented on recent speculation that Rusev asked for his release from WWE: 

"I’ve heard the stories, I doubt it. I mean where’s he going to go? And they’re not really good , I don’t know what the timing of his contract is, but if his contract is running out in like a month or so then yeah I suppose he could do it but if his contract isn’t running out he can ask for his release all he wants it’s not going to do him much good because they’re not going to let him go anywhere."