According to a report from PWInsider, Rusev has been absent from WWE because the company keeps talent who are not currently involved in storylines off TV to keep them fresh until there is something creative for them. This is also the same reason the Street Profits have been off WWE programming.
Rusev last wrestled on the November 21 episode of WWE Raw, losing to Jey Uso in the quarterfinals of the The Last Time Is Now Tournament.
The Rusev character returned to WWE last April after a five-year absence, having wrestled as Miro in AEW. It has been reported that Rusev signed a two-year contract with WWE. He also plans to open his own wrestling school, called KECH Pro Wrestling Academy, on March 1 in Nashville, TN.