Why Rusev Will Restore the US Championship’s Prestige
For those of you who have yet to purchase the WWE Network, you will be surprised, and perhaps alarmed, to learn that following RAW, in a Network exclusive match, Rusev defeated Sheamus to become the new United States Champion. The Bulgarian forced Sheamus to pass out to The Accolade, capturing his first championship since debuting in April of this year.
Many speculated that Rusev would pursue the title in the lead up to Survivor Series, so the immediate nature of his victory has come as quite the shock.
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Whilst Rusev’s capturing of the belt in a Network exclusive appears to be a shameless method in enticing subscribers due to its astonishment factor, this has been a reign that has been long overdue. Sheamus, despite a number of excellent performances in the ring, had done very little with the title since winning a battle royal in May. Under him the championship had become little more than an afterthought, and was rarely defended or given a prominent part on television. This championship change is much-needed, as Rusev has built up enough of a weekly appeal to restore attention back to the belt.
Of course, the most intriguing aspect of Rusev’s place as the United States Champion is his and manager Lana’s unrestrained abhorrence of America and it’s people. The majority of his feuds leading up to this victory have centered around his inflammatory words towards the American population, and quashing any Superstar that stood up for the USA. These have included former champions Big E, Jack Swagger, Mark Henry and the Big Show. Sheamus is just another high-profile foe that Rusev has demolished in his unbeaten run.
Rusev’s anti-American stance will undoubtedly shine a spotlight on the US Title that has been absent for years, and not since Zack Ryder won the belt in 2011 has it garnered so much attention. He and Lana have berated the Americans for so long, that him holding the championship that represents that country will surely attract attention back to it.
Although some have questioned Rusev’s performances and the excitement he brings on wrestling shows, he has proven to be one of the most successful graduates from NXT. In the ring, he is far more flexible and diverse in his wrestling style than he is given credit for, with his range of kicks, throws and suplexes. His body shape and emphatic power are features that few other superstars on the roster can boast, and with Lana by his side, he has a glamorous, acid-tongued heel that has brought the right heat onto her client by pushing the patriotic buttons of the American audiences.
His unbeaten run and the impressive manner in which he has disposed of every challenge that has been presented to him has succeeded in making him a threat to anybody on the roster. The fact that he has also been courted by Stephanie McMahon to appear for Team Authority at Survivor Series is a testament to the impression that he has left on the roster in his brief time in WWE.
Granted that he has a gimmick which makes it almost impossible not to derive heat from passionate American fans, Rusev has carried it well. Many anti-American superstars have failed to create the buzz that he has, such as La Resistance and Ludvig Borgia. Rusev bears more resemblance to The Iron Sheik in his demeanor, and that is a path that could lead to a Hall of Fame career.
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So, how can his title reign deliver the prestige back to a belt that has been missing relevance for so many years? Well, frankly, in the same manner that Sergeant Slaughter held the WWE Championship back in 1991, fans will be awaiting the man that can conquer Rusev and take the championship back to an American waist. This will be a monumental action, not only because he is a Russian holding the title, but due to him being seemingly indomitable by any Superstar. Therefore, it will merely act as an extension of his current characterization, which was already getting more attention than the United States Championship anyway. Really, Rusev will be helping the title more than the title adds legitimacy to him with the added exposure it will get with the Russian hero.
Rusev could alter the title into the Russian Championship in a deliberate act of disrespect to the American public. He could actively look to avoid defending it against American Superstars due to their supposed weaknesses, or use the belt as an opportunity to show the world how superior the Russian nation is to the USA. There are some directions they can go, but Rusev should continue to decimate all challengers that cross his path until the company is ready for him to drop the title.
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Who should that person be? Well, if speculation is to be believed, it will likely be John Cena who eventually topples Rusev. Like the modern day Hulk Hogan that defeated Iraqi sympathizer Sergeant Slaughter at WrestleMania 7, the 31st edition of the wrestling extravaganza will likely be the setting for another American hero to save the title from its Russian captor. Cena has developed somewhat of a reputation for breaking undefeated streaks in his career, with the likes of Umaga and Bray Wyatt falling in his wake. He is the logical choice though. Not only will his involvement in the feud elevate Rusev to the main event, having Cena compete for the US Title will also be the confirmation that the championship will have restored its great reputation.
Other alternatives include Jack Swagger, who arguably should have been the first man to defeat Rusev already due to the degree to which the crowd got behind him in their previous rivalry. Dean Ambrose could be another possibility as a former champion, but he doesn’t make the same focus on his American nationality in his gimmick. The only other choice would be The Rock if he can be convinced to return, as he already has had a brief altercation with the Bulgarian on Raw a month ago. A match with The Great One would push Rusev to remarkable heights, and The Rock could win the belt and then give it up in a similar manner to Bret Hart when he defeated The Miz for the same championship in 2010.
In the end, Rusev holding the US Championship is the best thing to happen to the belt in years, even if most Americans wouldn’t agree with that. The Russian’s unbeaten record, vile anti-American stance and Lana by his side will elevate the title from its neglect in the lower card to being a permanent feature in the upper mid-card. Rusev will defend it against a bunch of American stars who will be desperate to rescue the title from the clutches of the Super Athlete, and that pursuit will actually interest people in the championship matches. For too long, the belt been a prop that is barely recognized, defended or acknowledged.
Even though it may seem ironic, the United States Championship will be saved from obscurity by a man who cannot stand the Stars and Stripes he now represents.