5 best modern-day United States Championship matches in WWE

The WWE United States Championship is one of the most esteemed titles in the pro wrestling business. Having had its origins in NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) and Jim Crockett Promotions, the late Harley Race was the first-ever U.S. Champion in 1975.

Ted Turner's WCW then took control of the championship in the late 1980s with the praise-worthy reign of Lex Luger. The Total Package held the title for 523 days from May 22, 1989, to October 27, 1990.

The title came to WWE in 2001 the WCW United States Championship until it was unified with the Intercontinental Championship at Survivor Series that year.

The championship was reactivated in 2003 with some famous names holding the title, including the late Eddie Guerrero, The Big Show, the late Chris Benoit, John Cena, Dean Ambrose aka Jon Moxley, and AJ Styles, to name a few.

The United States Championship is contested on Monday Night RAW, with Damian Priest as the reigning champion.

This Sunday, the Archer of Infamy will defend his title at Extreme Rules in a triple threat contest with former champion Sheamus and Jeff Hardy.

In this article, we look at the five best modern-day United States Championship matches contested in WWE.

#5 Andrade vs. Rey Mysterio - United States Championship ladder match on RAW, January 20, 2020

Andrade, aka Andrade El Idolo, now an AEW star, has had excellent contests against veteran Rey Mysterio. They battled for the United States Championship in a ladder match held on RAW (the first ladder match in thirteen years on the red brand) six days before the Royal Rumble 2020.

The rules were simple: climb up the ladder and retrieve the gold. Andrade and Mysterio went back and forth in this contest with the veteran luchador laying Andrade on the mat as he climbed the ladder to grab the title, only for Zelina Vega to stop him.

The distraction helped Andrade Hammerlock DDT Rey through another ladder as he surmounted the challenge to retain his United States Championship.

With this win, Andrade solidified his superiority over Mysterio. The star held the title for five months before getting suspended for violating the WWE Wellness Policy and later being injured.

#4 Sheamus vs. Riddle - United States Championship match at WrestleMania 37

Night two of WrestleMania 37 saw Sheamus and Riddle compete for the United States Championship. The Original Bro was the champion coming into this showdown.

Riddle took the match to Sheamus early as the Celtic Warrior botched his signature move, The White Noise. The U.S. champion then went on the offensive side, proving himself to be one of the best young performers in WWE.

Unfortunately, the Original Bro would fall short when he went for a middle rope springboard moonslaught only to be caught with the Brogue Kick. This was enough for the Celtic Warrior to start his third reign as U.S. Champion, which went on for 131 days.

#3 United States Championship Battle Royal on RAW, May 5, 2014

Dean Ambrose, aka Jon Moxley, was the United States Champion heading into this 20-man battle royal commissioned by The Authority.

The Authority at that point was in a heated rivalry with the Shield and, as a result, made Dean Ambrose go through this momentous task to retain his United States Championship.

The Lunatic Fringe made a valiant effort to survive 19 other superstars. He was left with Sheamus as the last two contestants in the ring after having eliminated Curtis Axel, Ryback, and Jack Swagger, much to the delight of his shield brothers, Reigns and Rollins, who were standing ringside.

Unfortunately for Ambrose, as he turned, Sheamus nailed him with a Brogue Kick. This was enough for the Celtic Warrior to throw him over the ropes, ending Dean's 351 days run as the United States Champion.

#2 Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho - Triple Threat Match for the United States Championship on SmackDown, July 25, 2017

Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho were in a historical rivalry for the United States Championship. AJ Styles was also added to the clash as all three men tried to grab the title.

Chris Jericho put both Owens and Styles in the Walls of Jericho but could not win. He then nailed Styles with a Code Breaker, but the Phenomenal One managed to kick out again. Owens then hammered a superkick and a powerbomb on Jericho but couldn't get the pin.

Amid twists and turns, the match would finally see AJ Styles prevail after he stole a pin-fall win over Jericho when Owens nailed the current AEW star with a frog-splash.

#1 Seth Rollins vs. John Cena - United States Championship match at Night of Champions, 2015

The Cenation Leader entered the contest to avenge his SummerSlam defeat, where Seth Rollins won both the United States Championship and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

Both men started the contest with a measured approach, after which the offenses began coming. John Cena was careful of the broken nose he had suffered at the hands of Rollins. Meanwhile, Seth had more than just this match on his mind, with current AEW star Sting waiting for his WWE World Heavyweight Championship match later that night.

Rollins countered the AA on a couple of occasions, and Cena kept out the Pedigree. The latter then hit a top rope leg drop followed by the AA, which was enough for him to earn the 1-2-3.

John Cena won the United States Championship for the fifth time, much to the delight of the WWE Universe in attendance.