WWE SmackDown: 3 Better Alternatives To Bobby Roode As US Champ

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2. Rusev

Rusev has been the United Stats champion in the past. In fact, he was one of the most dominant US champions in recent times. But every time, he was the foreign heel, who used the title as a means to emphasis his superiority over the people. However, gone are the days when Rusev was a foreign monster heel. The WWE universe absolutely adores him and Aiden English. A vocal portion of the crowd cheers for Rusev Day every week.

Despite being so over with the fans, Rusev and English failed to win the tag titles. Creative seems reluctant to pull the trigger on these guys. When the Tournament was announced, quite interestingly, Aiden English was a part of the bracket. Rusev, however, was inconspicuously absent.

The WWE universe wants to see the babyface version of Rusev. As such, a babyface Rusev as the United States champion would have done much better on the Blue Brand’s mid-card scene. Above everything else, it would have allowed Ziggler to return as a heel and face a fresh foe for once. After all, we have seen Ziggler vs Roode a million times by now. Ziggler vs Rusev? Yes we have seen that in the past. Remember that whole charade with Lana and Summer Rae in the mix?

But this time, things would be different. There are no more distractions. There is only Ziggler and Rusev…and Aiden English. But still, the viewer will not be distracted from the story between the ropes by way of unnecessary drama. Moreover, unlike Ziggler vs Roode where Roode was always the babyface, the heel-face dynamics would be reversed here. For the first time ever, Rusev can act as a babyface and the fans can get behind him as he tries to hold on to his precious and hard earned title, while Ziggler, the devious villain does whatever he can to reclaim what was once his.

Dolph has enough reason to try and take out Rusev too. The US title is his. But he doesn’t want to represent the title or the fans. Nor does he want the WWE universe to have the privilege of ever witnessing that title being represented by someone else they deem worthy.