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One of the most underutilized superstars in WWE, the super-athlete Rusev has finally found a gimmick in which he can find tremendous success. His previous shtick of a foreign heel bashing America was an overused gimmick which has thankfully been laid to rest.
Rusev is massively over with the WWE Universe right now, selling merchandise like hot cakes and WWE needs to utilize this momentum as soon as possible. Rusev's brilliant pairing with the melodious voice of Aiden English has worked wonders, and could lead to a career rejuvenation for the former United States champion.
We look at five ways in which Rusev could be pushed in the weeks leading up to Wrestlemania.
#5: A face turn against Roode.
Rusev and Bobby Roode faced off on last night's Smackdown Live with the US title on the line. A lot of people were expecting WWE to finally take the initiative and turn the natural heel Bobby Roode. We haven't seen a double turn in WWE for quite some time, so it will definitely be interesting to watch.
Rusev has all the tools to become the biggest babyface on Smackdown Live, and a person who the audience loves is whom the audience will come to see every week. Rusev as a face can work wonders for WWE.
A face turn followed by a US Championship run can make Rusev a legitimate star.
#4: Tag Team Titles?
The Usos and Rusev-English have faced off quite a few times last year, the epic saga of four fantastic teams facing off for the championship was a match for the ages. Rusev-English came real close to winning the titles and a title win for them would not be bad by any means.
Rusev-English are not exactly heels or faces right now, and the same can be said for The Usos. Both the teams are currently red-hot due to the tag team redemption last December and a feud between these two would be interesting to watch.
#3: A rivalry with a former protege
A lot of times feuding with a superstar who was the top champion of the show less than two months ago is a major achievement in the career of a superstar. However, Rusev vs Jinder Mahal will not have the same prestige, considering Jinder was not the wisest choice for WWE Champion.
However, WWE is still trying to keep Mahal relevant and position him in the upper mid-card, a place where you can position Rusev as well. A face Rusev vs his former friend Jinder could be an interesting rivalry.
Rusev has some kind of a narcissist gimmick going in, so him taking the credit for Jinder's title reign and then confronting him will be an intriguing sight.
#2: An American Hero vs The Villain
And no, the former Olympian who represented America will not be the American Hero in this feud. Chad Gable vs Rusev was a one-off match a few months ago which was rather impressive. Chad Gable and Rusev have decent chemistry in the ring and could easily produce a classic match.
Both are superstars who need a singles push desperately and a full-fledged feud between these two could be an interesting sight. Rusev's face turn followed by a feud with Gable, who is prospering as a heel alongside Shelton Benjamin, could be a delight to watch.
It could add value to the mid-card of Smackdown Live which is rather empty.
#1: A short feud with the Phenomenal One
Rusev's popularity is rather similar to another babyface on the roster, the WWE Champion AJ Styles. Both of these superstars are probably the most over superstars in WWE today with the audiences heavily invested in these two superstars.
Styles facing Rusev for a mini-feud before WrestleMania could be delightful. However, a full-fledged feud between them after WrestleMania could make the crowd go wild. Imagine a SmackDown Live after Mania crowd being treated to a Styles-Rusev confrontation.
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