Rusev’s Next Big Move: Why The Bulgarian Brute Is Opening Wrestling School in Nashville

We all remember the tank. You don’t roll into WrestleMania on a literal war machine unless you understand the pageantry of professional wrestling. But for Rusev, the man who made “Rusev Day” the most overused chant in the business essentially by accident, the next chapter isn’t just about crushing opponents in the squared circle. It’s about building the next generation to do it for him.

The WWE star recently dropped some massive news that has the Nashville wrestling scene buzzing. Come March 1, 2026, the KECH Pro Wrestling Academy is officially opening its doors.

And let’s be honest: if you’re going to learn how to lock up, take a bump, and tell a story with your body, learning from a guy who has navigated the treacherous waters of both WWE and AEW is a pretty solid bet.

More Than Just Headlocks and Hammer Throws

Here is the thing about wrestling schools—they are a dime a dozen. You can find a ring set up in a warehouse in almost any major city in America. But KECH Pro Wrestling Academy seems to be aiming for something different, something more holistic.

Rusev made it clear in his announcement video: this isn’t just about high spots. “Real pro wrestling training—from fundamentals to character work,” he said. That second part? That’s the secret sauce. You can teach anyone to do a dropkick. Teaching them how to make 20,000 people care that you just did a dropkick? That is an art form.

Rusev knows this better than anyone. This is a guy who took a generic “foreign heel” gimmick and turned it into comedy gold, then turned that comedy into a legitimate main-event threat. If he can teach a rookie how to find their voice the way he found his, this school is going to produce some serious talent.

The Youth Movement: Kids In the Ring?

Here is where it gets interesting. Usually, when you hear “wrestling school,” you picture sweaty 25-year-olds trying to live out a childhood dream while working a 9-to-5. And sure, Rusev is catering to adults and offering advanced classes for established pros who want to polish their skills.

But KECH is also opening its doors to kids.

Now, before you panic, we aren’t talking about toddlers taking chair shots to the head. This is about discipline, fitness, and confidence. It is a smart play. We see kids in karate dojos and gymnastics centers all over the country. Why not wrestling? It builds coordination, toughness, and—let’s be real—it’s infinitely cooler than learning the recorder.

Joining the ranks of schools like The Monster Factory and Pure Pro Wrestling, KECH is providing a safe environment for the younger demographic to learn the ropes (literally). It’s about respecting the business early.

Following the Mentor’s Path

There is a beautiful symmetry to this move. Rusev didn’t just wake up and know how to wrestle. He cut his teeth at the Knokx Pro Wrestling Academy in California, learning under the tutelage of WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi.

Rikishi taught Rusev the business. Now, Rusev is paying it forward. It is the circle of life in this industry. You take the bumps, you earn the money, and eventually, you pass the knowledge down so the business survives.

He is also joining an elite club of active talent running schools. We’ve seen Seth Rollins doing incredible work with the Black and Brave Wrestling Academy, and Cody Rhodes with the Nightmare Factory. There is something valuable about learning from a guy who is still on TV every week. They know what the current product looks like. They know what recruiters are looking for right now, not what they were looking for in 1995.

Nashville: The New Territory?

Location matters. By planting his flag in Nashville, Tennessee, Rusev is tapping into a region with deep, deep wrestling roots. Tennessee wrestling history is legendary, and the city is quickly becoming a modern hub for the industry.

The building is secured. The ring is on the way. For a guy who spent years shouting “Matchka!” (Crush!), he’s now pivoting to “Teach-ka.”

If you’ve ever sat on your couch criticizing a match and thinking, “I could do that,” well, now is your chance to prove it. Just remember: if you show up to class late, you might have to answer to the guy who once fought John Cena in a tank.