Rusev won the United States title for the second time at Extreme Rules, forcing Kalisto to submit to the Accolade. The Bulgarian Brute’s first United States title reign was formidable, with him holding on to the Championship for months before losing it at WrestleMania to John Cena.
So what next for Rusev. It seems a given that he will beat Kalisto in what ever rematch the Luchador gets and move on to bigger things.
This list looks at five superstars for the US Champ to feud with.
5. John Cena
Let us first address the elephant in the room. Ever since John Cena’s return was announced (or rumored of), it was certain that Kalisto’s US title reign was coming to a close.
Cena brought legitimacy back to the US title with his championship reign before he got injured and it seems that he is going to come back in to the US title picture again. Cena would need a formidable heel to fight for the US title and Rusev fits the bill.
Almost all of Cena’s previous returns have seen him win something big on his first night back – be it winning the Royal Rumble or beating Chris Jericho for the World Heavyweight title in the latter part of the last decade.
He won’t be winning the WWE World title on his return this time, but a United States title win on Memorial day??? That seems plausible!!
4. Cesaro
Cesaro’s shot at winning the Intercontinental title seems over after two straight PPV defeats and the WWE might want to use the last remaining bit of the Swiss superman’s momentum to engage him in a feud for the US title.
Cesaro is a former US Champion and could provide a formidable opponent for Rusev, but neither of them isn’t yet capable of selling a match on the mic and this might go against them.
Cesaro deserves a title around his waist due to his immense support from the crowd and brilliant in-ring move set, but he might just be booked the Dolph Ziggler way.
3. Dean Ambrose
One thing is as clear as day – Dean Ambrose isn’t going to be WWE World Heavyweight Champion in the near future, what ever be his popularity. He is considered as an upper mid card talent, capable of producing amazing matches and promos, but not some one who can be the face of the company.
Ambrose deserves better than this and he has engaged in feuds with almost every top heel in the company – but not with Rusev. The possible feud promises to bring out an exciting series of matches and is guaranteed to be a must watch as far as the promos are concerned as Rusev can be the perfect antithesis to Ambrose’s character.
2. A J Styles
Styles has been given quite a push by the WWE and the build ups and the matches during his two PPV feud with Roman Reigns over the WWE World Heavyweight title have been the best to have happened in the title picture for quite some time.
But AJ’s momentum seems to have stalled as he not only lost to Reigns twice, but also to Kevin Owens last night on Raw.
He won’t be in the MITB ladder match and with a feud with the other members of the Club looming, he won’t be thrust in the US title picture immediately – but it is a possibility for the future.
AJ vs Rusev will have a fresh set of matches and the high flyer vs the ground worker will be a sight to watch.
1. Randy Orton
Randy Orton is expected to return to the WWE soon and with no immediate feud to engage in, he can be put in the US title picture.
The United States title is the only Championship that Orton has never held in the WWE and he has never had a feud with Rusev either. It would be intriguing to see Orton battling the Bulgarian Brute and there might be an RKO in Rusev’s future.
Orton needs to slay a beast to regain momentum upon his return and Rusev fits the bill.
