WWE SmackDown Grades: AJ Styles Gets Two Challengers At Fastlane
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2. Bobby Roode vs. Rusev For United States Championship
Two of the most popular superstars on Tuesday nights have been Bobby Roode and Rusev. Roode has gained the United States Championship for his first main roster championship and Rusev has developed into arguably the most over superstar on the entire brand with his Rusev Day gimmick.
The two were set to battle it out for the U.S. Championship last night after Rusev won a number one contender match the previous week. As a former U.S. Champion, it was conceivable that Rusev could win the title again last night given how popular he has been over the past few months.
The match turned out to be very solid with a lot of impressive moments and near falls. The drama was pretty high towards the end with both superstars shining. But Roode capitalized on a Glorious DDT to retain his championship. And to top off the match, Randy Orton hit a huge RKO outta nowhere on Roode and then on Rusev and Aiden English.
It would have been cool to see this version as Rusev as U.S. Champion, but having him and English potentially in the tag team title picture at WrestleMania 34 would probably be better. And if Orton’s involvement is a sign of things to come, he could be the next challenger for Roode and the U.S. Championship, a title Orton has never won before in the WWE.
Last night’s U.S. Championship match was very solid and did a lot for both Roode and Rusev along with potentially setting up Roode’s next challenger in The Viper.