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What's the story?
Tonight on SmackDown Live, another singles match was added to this Sunday's Fastlane pay-per-view when Rusev interrupted a Shinsuke Nakamura promo about AJ Styles, to challenge The Rockstar to a singles match at WWE Fastlane.
In case you didn't know...
Last week, Rusev and Aiden English complained of a lack of opportunities for the Bulgarian Brute, only for a match to be made between Shinsuke Nakamura and Aiden English.
It had been several weeks since either of those three men had actually appeared on the blue brand.
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Aiden English, and we've now learned that Nakamura kneed English to the throat, damaging his vocal chords and preventing Aiden English from singing. You can watch the match below.
The heart of the matter
After the match last week, Rusev interrupted a backstage interview with Nakamura tonight on SmackDown Live. Shinsuke was speaking about his upcoming WWE Championship match at WrestleMania and his hope that AJ Styles will win at Fastlane to set up that match.
Rusev and English interrupted, one more vocally than the other due to the injury Aiden English sustained in his match against Nakamura, with Rusev stating that he was out for revenge.
But while English didn't sing, we did get a special vocal performance anyway when the number one contender to the WWE Championship proclaimed that Sunday will be Nakamura Day!
The match was made official immediately after the segment, with WWE announcing it via Twitter.
What's next?
WWE Fastlane takes place this Sunday in Colombus, Ohio. It will effectively be the last ever single-brand pay-per-view with all post-WrestleMania events now being advertised as dual-branded.
Author's take
I'm just glad Rusev has a match at Fastlane - albeit one he's unlikely to win. I think this could be a brilliant match with both men utilising a particularly hard-hitting style. It's great for the crowd that Nakamura's on the card, too, as he really should be, with WrestleMania around the corner.
I have previously spoken of my admiration for Rusev Day and how they've got themselves over against all odds, but I did think it might be to their detriment. I actually thought Rusev may be suffering from the same fate as Tye Dillinger - reportedly being left off of television due to the crowd chanting and taking over segments.
I hope I'm wrong, and hopefully Rusev and Nakamura get some substantial time to put on what could be a show-stealing match at Fastlane, and I really hope WWE turns Rusev face and pushes him to the moon! As for Nakamura, he already looks set to be pushed to the moon, and WrestleMania can't come fast enough.
