5 SmackDown superstars who deserve a WWE Championship run

#3 Rusev

Rusev and Lana can still be salvaged with some better booking.

It was refreshing to see Rusev get over organically with the crowd on his own rather than be pigeonholed into the 'foreign heel' gimmick of so many superstars before him.

His popularity did net him a WWE Championship match with AJ Styles at Money in the Bank last year, but he was unsuccessful in his challenge.

Creative could have struck while the iron was hot over the summer, like how they might be doing currently with Kofi Kingston, but Rusev might be permanently in the doghouse after expressing frustrations about his contributions constantly going unnoticed by those in charge.

Vince McMahon might often create some of his product's own problems when he ignores crowd reactions to superstars or simply pushes back against their desires merely because it's not what he wants.

But the fact remains that a little good faith shown to the fans by giving one of their favorites a run with a title would go a long way in helping ratings and providing fans with a reason to stick around.

Like Joe, Bray Wyatt and nearly Braun Strowman, Rusev is one of the superstars that has been ruined by booking through no fault of their own.

And to think he could have really cashed in on Lana's appeal had Rusev been given a serious look as WWE Champion.

Mr. McMahon has always loved Lana since she's a gorgeous blonde, but perhaps she's in the doghouse with her husband for speaking up with their spots in the company.