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WWE Championship Opportunity For Rusev Is A Long Time Coming

By Trace Johnson

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Rusev has been considered one of the most underrated superstars in the WWE for the past several years and with the rise he’s been on over the past several months, that notion has only been backed up further.

Not only has Rusev been one of the most underrated WWE superstars in recent memory, but he has been one of the most consistent as well.  No matter what role he has played, The Bulgarian Brute has excelled and prospered.

He made his main roster debut at the 2014 Royal Rumble and would immediately fit into a roster filled with some of the best wrestlers in the world.  His anti-American type of character was very dated and played out, but even at that, Rusev made it work.  He made history in late-2014 when he became the first-ever Bulgarian-born champion in WWE history by capturing the United States Championship.

The Bulgarian Brute has had feuds with the likes of John Cena and Roman Reigns over the past few years, but time and time again, the WWE wouldn’t let him come out on top in such feuds.  This is the same type of booking that ultimately killed Bray Wyatt’s main event potential, but Rusev hasn’t allowed that to happen to him.

Towards the end of 2017, the Rusev Day gimmick was born alongside Aiden English.  And since that time, Rusev Day has become arguably the most over gimmick in the WWE as well as one of the top merchandise sellers.  A gimmick that happened totally organically has left a huge mark on the WWE and you’re bound to hear Rusev Day chants in every arena the WWE occupies.

But much like the previous few years, the WWE was threatening to repeat the same pattern that held Rusev back in the first place.  Despite his super-over gimmick, he really wasn’t getting anywhere on the main roster outside of select victories here and there that really didn’t mean anything.  Many fans thought he would capture the U.S. Championship at WrestleMania 34, but that didn’t pan out.

Rather than winning the gold, he took the pin in the match that was won by Jinder Mahal.  Then Rusev earned the right to battle for the men’s Money in the Bank contract, only to come out empty-handed in that as well.  It really started to feel like the WWE had given up on the talented and over leader of Rusev Day, but that all changed on the June 19 edition of SmackDown.

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In a five-man gauntlet match with the winner going on to face AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at Extreme Rules, Rusev picked up arguably the biggest win of his career by making The Miz tap out to win the gauntlet match.  It will be The Bulgarian Brute vs. The Phenomenal One for the WWE Championship at Extreme Rules in a match that was a long time coming for Rusev.

This will be Rusev’s first-ever one-on-one world title opportunity in the WWE and if things go well in the buildup towards Extreme Rules and the match itself, Rusev should be able to remain in the main event picture.  The blue brand has several main event caliber talents, but one could make the case that Rusev is as over as any of them.

It’s probably a pipe dream to believe he will dethrone Styles for the richest prize in the game, but crazier things have happened.  And this match isn’t as much about Rusev needing to win as it is proving he is capable of competing at a main event level with the best in the company.  It’s a huge opportunity that an overlooked and underrated superstar the caliber of Rusev deserves.

It took longer than it should have by most accounts, but better late than never.  Fans want to see new blood rise to the top of the card as well as different faces and The Bulgarian Brute has paid his dues in the WWE to reach this opportunity.  Rusev Day has taken the WWE by storm and when something gets over as much as it has, it would be foolish not to see how far it can go.

Next: Fantasy Booking AJ Styles vs. Rusev

Every day is Rusev Day and despite a few years of being the recipient of poor booking from time to time and being overlooked, Rusev is finally getting the opportunity he has deserved for quite some time.

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