Rusev's Main Event Potential Would Not Be Damaged by Possible Loss at Payback
Rusev is
heading for what will be the final chapter in his feud with John Cena at WWE
Payback on Sunday, May 17. The bout is for Cena's United States Championship
and will be an I Quit match, an environment that Cena's character thrives in.
But even if
Cena goes over at Payback, Rusev should not be damaged all that much by it. In
fact, his main event potential is just now being tapped.
Three
matches against Cena is a great indication that someone in WWE creative
believes in Rusev. His size, his strength, his anti-American rhetoric, all make
him the perfect old-school heel and the kind of opponent that's perfect for
Cena.
It's a great
scenario for Cena, as he needs a solid heel with zero chance of gaining fan
support. It helps him in terms of fully getting over and it gives the crowd an
old-fashioned good-versus-evil dynamic. Cena is still the man WWE likely
considers to be the top babyface and this feud has been the best way to
showcase that.
But Rusev has also benefited from facing
Cena. Just being in the same ring with Cena elevates Rusev and gives him a
level of importance he did not have before. Rusev has stood toe to toe with
Cena in the ring and has managed to shine despite the tremendous amount of star
power he's up against.
It's his
ability to deliver that has given Rusev the generous amount of spotlight he's
enjoying right now. And that spotlight should continue if he loses at Payback.
While Rusev
does have a tremendous upside and is doing well in his current role, the truth
is that getting over on Cena is a whole different proposition. Cena is the top
guy in WWE, the face of the company. He must look good all the time no matter
how talented his opponent may be.
Very few
Superstars can claim final victory over Cena as he just rarely ever finds
himself in that position. And that will inevitably include Rusev, who is likely
not going to leave Payback with the United States Championship. But this will
not be the death sentence that many fans surely feel it will be.