WWE: Rusev Wins U.S. Title On The WWE Network, Defeats Sheamus With The Accolade
Bulgarian pro wrestler Alexander Rusev has walked away as the WWE United States Champion after defeating Sheamus in a match aired on the WWE Network.
According to Sports World News, in an effort to boost WWE Network subscriptions, the company had a special United States Championship match airing exclusively on the network after Monday Night RAW and it saw Rusev defeat Sheamus to win the gold.
SB Nation reported that WWE fans were treated to a United States championship match featuring titleholder Sheamus, putting his strap on the line against Rusev. As expected, Rusev submitted Sheamus with “The Accolade“, though Sheamus was made to look strong in defeat when he never gave up, instead simply passing out while in the hold, at this point causing the referee to stop the match and declare Rusev as the new United States Champion.
According to WWE’s Kyle Edwards, Rusev is the second U.S. champion affiliated with Russia dating back to the title’s days in NWA/WCW. An earlier Inquisitr report revealed that Rusev has had an unbeaten winning streak and that WWE wants to bring Ryback in to defeat him.
Early reactions to Rusev’s victory appealed to nationalistic sentiments.
Rusev’s manager Lana also took to her Twitter account to boast about the victory.
“We have defeated your patriots, #CRUSHED your giants, and now have taken #USTitle! Mother Russia & @RusevBUL is the greatest!” she tweeted. “WE WIN! Russia is truly better then you STUPID Americans!”
WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, who is known as a patriotic figure within WWE lore, also shared his thoughts on Sheamus’ title loss.
“Sad day for America and WWE Universe,” Hogan wrote. “Rusev as US Heavyweight Champion makes me sick, John Cena where are you when we need you brother. HH”
There were rumors ever since Rusev and Lana announced on SmackDown that they were going after Sheamus and that the two would face-off at Survivor Series, but the WWE opted to have the match Monday night after RAW.
There is a possibility that Sheamus invokes his rematch clause to take on Rusev at Survivor Series on November 23 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, but it remains to be seen.
Sheamus took to his official Twitter account and noted that he never tapped out after Rusev locked him in The Accolade (Camel clutch).
Monday’s victory marks Rusev’s first ever WWE title, making him the the first Bulgarian-born champion in WWE.
[Image Credit: SB Nation]
