Rusev back to being Undertaker’s opponent for WWE casket match in Saudi Arabia

Chris Jericho was briefly scheduled to replace Rusev in the match at the Greatest Royal Rumble in Jeddah on April 27

Rusev, left, with Aiden English, will go up against the Undertaker at the Greatest Royal Rumble on April 27 in Jeddah. WWE

The WWE have announced that the Undertaker’s first match in the Middle East will go back to being against Rusev, his original scheduled opponent, in a casket match.

When it was announced last week that the WWE's veteran superstar would be competing at the Greatest Royal Rumble in Jeddah on April 27, it was confirmed he would be paired with Rusev.

But Rusev was briefly replaced as the Deadman's opponent by six-time WWE world champion Chris Jericho.

WWE confirmed on Monday that it would now be Rusev who goes up against the Undertaker in a match where the winner is the first man to get his rival in the casket and successfully shut it on him.

It is the first time the pair have met in a singles match on a Network Special.

After a year away, the Undertaker made his return to action earlier this month at WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans, where he beat John Cena.

Other matches now confirmed for the WWE’s first Network Special in the Middle East will see Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt take on Sheamus and Cesaro for the vacant Raw Tag Team titles.

Meanwhile, Jeff Hardy was crowned new United States champion on Monday night and he will defend his title against the man he beat, Jinder Mahal, in Saudi Arabia.

Other matches on the card so far see WWE Universal champion Brock Lesnar taking on Roman Reigns in a steel cage match for his title, while Triple H faces Cena in a singles clash.

There will also be a 50-man Royal Rumble with Daniel Bryan and Braun Strowman among the lead entrants.