John Cena Continuing Feud with Rusev Is Best Possible WWE WrestleMania 31 Angle

John Cena is one of the top WWE Superstars in the history of the wrestling industry, but the ideal feud for the veteran heading into WrestleMania 31 is the continuation of the angle with Rusev.

The 15-time world champion chasing Rusev and the United States Championship has been the secondary storyline the company needed.

The match between Cena and Rusev at WWE Fastlane was much better than expected, and it proved just how talented the current champion has become since making his main-roster debut. Allowing Rusev to beat Cena by making Cena pass out in The Accolade (which counts as a submission victory) gives the Russian sympathizer serious momentum heading into WrestleMania.

Coming off the loss, Cena should refocus his efforts and enter the next several weeks of build more determined than ever. Throughout this feud, Cena has shown a more aggressive side, and losing to Rusev should result in even more of an edge for the notoriously cheesy character.

What makes this feud so fun and interesting is the fact that Cena is doing the chasing. For years, Cena has been the guy with the target on his back, but in the storyline against Rusev, the 15-time world champion is the babyface chasing the unwilling heel combatant.

Turning down a match with Cena at WrestleMania makes Rusev look smart and cunning, and Rusev is proving to be one of Cena’s biggest threats of the last five years.

With Rusev's elite in-ring ability, the mind games he has been utilizing and his manager Lana acting as the ultimate X-factor, he has been the perfect antagonist for Cena heading into the most important time of the year for the company.

The storyline also moves Cena away from the WWE World Heavyweight Championship scene. Cena fighting Rusev will allow the spotlight to be put on younger stars coming up in the business, and it will add much-needed depth to the WrestleMania 31 card.

With a midcard storyline that involves Cena fighting Rusev for the United States Championship, the WWE has a legitimate secondary storyline that is important to the long-term success of the brand.

Just as Bruno Sammartino did in the late 1970s, Cena is moving aside to allow other stars to flourish. The WWE is building Roman Reigns as the top star of the future, and Cena taking on a smaller role to allow Reigns the chance to shine shows a lot about the confidence the company has in the 2015 Royal Rumble winner.

Cena fighting Rusev for the United States Championship also instantly adds prestige to the title. If the legend goes on to capture the secondary championship at WrestleMania, the belt will have credibility among wrestling fans once again.

While some fans won't be happy until Cena returns to the main event scene, taking a step back and helping the company by adding depth to the WrestleMania card, legitimizing a secondary title, and putting over fresh talent shows Cena understands the importance of his role.

Fighting Rusev at WrestleMania 31 is the perfect storyline for Cena and the entire WWE.

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