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It was a long time coming. Fans were thrilled, both live in the arena and across the world, when Rusev went back and forth with Shinsuke Nakamura in a Championship match and stood tall, as your brand new US Champion.
The question everyone is asking is 'why'! Why did Rusev emerge as the United States Champion, on this Christmas special episode?
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To answer your question, I shall delve into the matter and explore five topics. Let me know if you agree or disagree with my assessment. Chime in with your own comments and conspiracy theories in the comments as well.
As always, here is a little disclaimer before I begin my article. This is purely speculative and I probably know only as much as you do, at this point in time.
That said, here are five reasons why Rusev became the United States Champion, this week.
#5 Nakamura's US Title reign was a disappointment
Nobody disputes how much talent Shinsuke Nakamura has. If you've followed his career in NJPW and NXT, you know just how gifted and exciting a performer he can be.
It's just that he has not been given the right opportunities to shine in the WWE main roster, and his most recent US title run has been a disappointment.
And this is because of no fault of Nakamura's. Shinsuke Nakamura has just not been booked in meaningful programs ever since he became the United States Champion.
While practically every other Championship was defended at TLC, the United States Championship was not, unfortunately.
Rusev's reign will aim to erase the forgettable run that the former Champion had with the title. Let's hope that he isn't forgotten like his predecessor was.
#4 Birthday gift
It may have been a Christmas present for the WWE Universe. But it was a birthday present for Rusev, who turned a year older on Christmas Day. This essentially means that Rusev won the title on Christmas Day, his birthday and Rusev Day as well! What a thrill it must have been for him.
Rusev has been one of the hardest working superstars in WWE. He has performed both as a babyface and a heel, and despite his popularity has done almost everything that has been asked of him. It was probably WWE's intention to reward this superstar with a Championship on his special day.
After winning the Championship, Rusev went on to dedicate the title to his mother, who gave birth to the Bulgarian Brute on Christmas Day. This was the ultimate feel-good moment and I'm glad that Rusev had his time in the sun.
#3 To capitalise on Rusev Day
Quite often it so happens, that the scripts that WWE comes up with for their superstar's bomb in front of a live audience. Rusev is one of those performers who's captured the brass ring and gotten himself over with 'Rusev Day'. His merch sales were off the charts not long ago. Chants of 'Rusev Day' would echo through every arena, across the world.
So much so, that even independent events had 'Rusev Day' chants. Slowly and steadily, Rusev's fanbase grew to the point where WWE had to do something big. And they booked him in a pointless feud with Aiden English.
Thankfully, those days are behind him at long last. Rusev has realised his destiny and WWE gave the fans what they wanted, by having him win the title.
Chants of Rusev Day echoed through the final moments of this week's match as well.
#2 As part of the McMahon family's series of changes
Vince, Stephanie, and Shane McMahon, with Triple H, announced that they would be taking over RAW and SmackDown Live, eliminating all middlemen.
They confessed that they'd, for a while, stopped listening to the fans. They promised that WWE will be heeding what the fans want and would actually give them exactly what they've been asking for, from the WWE brass.
Pushing superstars like Rusev must have been high on the agenda, in this very regard. Rusev is one superstar who's always had fan support, but never the opportunities that support should ideally warrant.
By having him win the United States Championship, the McMahons rewarded the WWE Universe with a new year gift.
I must say that this is a positive development. Let's hope that Rusev also gets the run that he deserves.
#1 More heels than babyfaces on SmackDown Live
There is a serious babyface problem on SmackDown Live at this time. Except for Rey Mysterio, AJ Styles, R-Truth and Rusev, is there a top-tier babyface in the singles division?
Mustafa Ali has just entered the fray but it's been a while before he enters this league of extraordinary gentlemen. But on the other hand, there are several heels in the brand.
Rusev could go on to have a great feud with Andrade 'Cien' Almas and Zelina Vega, down the line. He could even take on Randy Orton and his newfound mean streak. Who wouldn't want to see Samoa Joe and Rusev lock horns down the line?
Maybe Lars Sullivan comes to SmackDown Live and goes after the United States Championship. So much could happen in the weeks that follow.
And now you know why Rusev became United States Champion.
