WWE SmackDown Grades: Team Hell No Reunited, And It Feels So Good
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4. Rusev vs. Xavier Woods
The most over gimmick in the WWE over the past several months has been the Rusev Day gimmick led by Rusev and Aiden English. Rusev Day gets a big response in every arena around the world and has taken the WWE by storm, so much so that it gave Rusev an opportunity years in the making.
The Bulgarian Brute was the beneficiary of the gauntlet match last week and after making The Miz tap out, Rusev earned the right to challenge AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at Extreme Rules in his first-ever one-on-one world title opportunity in the WWE. But last night wasn’t about The Phenomenal One directly, it was about sending a message to him via Xavier Woods.
Rusev battled Woods of The New Day last night in what could be described as a tune-up match for Styles and as expected, the two put on a solid match. Woods always shines when he’s given opportunities to show his singles side and Rusev is always consistent as well. It didn’t go on very long and probably could have been more, but the two did the best they could given the circumstances.
And in the end, the leader of Rusev Day got another win on Rusev Day and knocked off Woods. After the match, Rusev cut a promo directed towards the WWE Champion by saying how he should expect more of the same at Extreme Rules and that Rusev will become WWE Champion. In terms of just Rusev vs. Woods though, it was a solid match.
The biggest Rusev Day in history is just a few weeks away, but in the meantime, The Bulgarian Brute is capitalizing on his wave of momentum.