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#5 Rusev
One of the most loved wrestlers of this generation, Rusev never received a true main event push during his WWE run. The only significant world championship opportunity that the multi-time United States Champion received was at the Extreme Rules event of 2018, where he challenged AJ Styles for the WWE title. While The Bulgarian Brute could not become the face of the company, he won the United States Championship multiple times in his career.
Rusev's three reigns as United States Champion
His first title triumph occurred at the RAW Backstage Pass in 2014 when he beat Sheamus to win the United States Championship. After seizing the gold, he crushed the entire roster and even recorded a win over John Cena.
However, WWE took the belt off his waist at WrestleMania 31. Then, the Creative team booked him in a love quadrangle, involving Dolph Ziggler, Lana, and Summer Rae.
That storyline killed the former United States Champion's momentum. But, he captured the US Championship once again at Extreme Rules 2016. Looking at the way he decimated Kalisto at the event, it seemed like he would establish himself as a monster heel on RAW. After a four-month reign as champion, Rusev lost the belt to 'The Big Dog' Roman Reigns.
He could not win any title for over two years before WWE crowned him as the United States Champion again. His third reign was his shortest one, as Shinsuke Nakamura defeated him for the belt after 32 days.
