Rusev And Lana No Longer Part Of Total Divas; Told They Were “Strongly Disliked” By E! Executives

Rusev and Lana won’t be on the upcoming season of “Total Divas.”

The couple broke the news on Lilian Garcia’s Chasing Glory podcast. Lana first appeared on the E! Network reality show in season 4 before becoming a series regular in season 6. She spent three seasons on the show, which chronicled her life outside the ring and relationship with Rusev. Based on feedback she had received, she thought she would be part of the ninth season.

“We were first told that we were a shoo-in. We were told that we were incredible on this season. That E! Loves me, Bunim-Murray loves me, WWE loves me. WWE loves us. That we should be working on a spin-off show,” said Lana.

But the new executives at E! had other ideas.

“Apparently they had a meeting with the E! Executives and apparently there are new E! Executives now and when Kevin Dunn told me that E! Executives took a poll that we are strongly disliked by E! demographic. I’m hated, we’re hated. E! Executives thought our stories were very slapstick,” stated Lana. “It was a strong no. I was shocked. I’m not liked. Part of me is like, ‘Maybe I’m just not a likable person.’ I know I’m a good person but maybe I have an annoying personality and I’m not liked.”

Lana wouldn’t go as far as 100 percent blaming her edit for the reason she wasn’t liked but does believe that the edit she got played a part in how she came across to the audience.

“There is so many things in edit where I was royally screwed over. In edit, they can do whatever they want. If they want to make me look more annoying, they can do that. If they want me to play the annoying girl. There was some things that I got really mad about but I understand that’s what I signed up for,” she said. “I was told that it was more important to make an impression. Nattie really helped me and guided me. I always tried to pick my battles with editing. I understood because I was the corky, annoying girl that they wanted. That’s fine, but don’t screw me over and go all of a sudden ‘you’re not liked’ because your editors are doing that. There would be times where they would take different phrases and put them here.”

When asked if they hoped to the return to the show, Rusev stated, “I want my own show. Once I’m rejected from somewhere, I’m moving on.”

Viewership for “Total Divas” has steadily declined since season 5. Season 9 has already been greenlit by E! but a premiere date and cast have not been announced.