WWE WrestleMania 31: Rusev Retaining the US Title over John Cena Makes Sense

Rusev and John Cena tore the house down at WWE Fastlane in February, and they are set to do the same again at WrestleMania 31 on Sunday.

If WWE, Vince McMahon and Triple H book this match with Rusev retaining the United States title, they will not only have elevated the belt, but also promoted Rusev to main event level.

Since the moment Alexander Rusev made his in-ring WWE debut at the Royal Rumble in 2014, "The Hero of the Russian People" has torn through the WWE roster. The Bulgarian giant was eventually eliminated by four other wrestlers after a solid showing, but his time at the Royal Rumble and in WWE following the event could have been so different had it not been for the advice of CM Punk.

On the now-infamous Colt Cabana podcast, CM Punk tells a story of how he took Rusev to one side, told him to take full advantage of his limited time in the ring and that he would sell for him if given the chance.

He also told the 6'0", 300-pound behemoth that no one in the roster wanted to see him succeed and he had to make the most of any chance he was given.

It would be fair to say the 29-year-old has taken Punk up on his challenge and now stands unbeaten in over a year since his debut.

WWE has treated the master of "The Accolade" superbly and slowly built him a head of steam to the point where his name and the term "monster" have become synonymous. If his current trajectory stays the course, he looks set to have a future feud with Brock Lesnar.

This might even take place at WrestleMania 32 in Texas next year.

Cena has become something of a polarizing figure to the fans of the WWE Universe. There is little doubt that the 37-year-old is one of the best wrestlers and greatest in-ring generals of all time. He knows everything there is to know about in-ring psychology and is gifted in knowing how and where to change the tempo in matches.

As far as an education is concerned, Rusev could not be in the squared circle with a better man.

The icing on the cake for the former powerlifter is that Cena is also one of the least selfish performers in the WWE despite his record haul of 15 world title belts.

The buildup for this matchup has been extremely solid—especially when compared to the haphazard booking of the Intercontinental Championship ladder match between Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, Dean Ambrose, Stardust, R-Truth, Luke Harper and Bad News Barrett and the poor buildup to the WrestleMania main event between Roman Reigns and Lesnar, despite some amazing mic work from Paul Heyman.

Going over Cena at Fastlane established Rusev as a formidable opponent, and the excellent finish—Cena never tapped out because he was unconscious—allowed the feud to build toward 'Mania, where the company and wrestlers could make some real money.

That could increase in the coming years if the IC and U.S. belts return to their former main event status.

Pat Patterson was the first man to hold the IC belt back in 1979. Since then, the likes of the Macho Man Randy Savage, Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels have held the title. In recent years, the title has exchanged hands at an alarming rate. In 2014, it was passed on eight times.

The U.S. title has suffered a similar fate. It was established in 1975 as the NWA U.S. title before it was acquired by the WWE in 2001. It, too, has a long history with some of the greatest wrestlers of all time holding the strap. Think Harley Race, Vader, Ric Flair, Sting and Bret Hart. 

Up until recently, it has become something of a lower-card title. However, since 2013, when Triple H moved into an executive role with WWE, it has been held by real talents like Sheamus, Dean Ambrose and Rusev.

WWE has recognised that apart from the world heavyweight title, none of its belts are viewed as prestigious. The value of the IC and U.S. belts has been diminished in recent years due to a number of factors, but mainly down to poor booking.

It would seem as if Paul Levesque—Triple H to you and I—wants to change how the belts are perceived in the WWE Universe and restore them to their former glory.

Triple H is something of a historian when it comes to professional wrestling and has nothing but respect for the heroes of the bygone age. He wants to elevate the IC and U.S. belts back to main event status.

That should begin this weekend, when Daniel Bryan wins the Intercontinental Championship ladder match at WrestleMania. If WWE is serious about elevating the strap, then Bryan is the only real answer, as he is over with the fans and already at the main event level.

The same argument could be put forward for giving the U.S. title strap to Cena. It would, however, come at the expense of stopping Rusev in his tracks and taking all the steam and heat he has built up away in the three seconds of a 1-2-3 count.

No, the best way for WWE to get the U.S. title and Rusev over—while not hurting Cena—is for "The Hero of the Russian People" to win in typical heel fashion at WrestleMania.

That type of finish would leave Cena, Rusev and the belt looking stronger than ever.

It would also leave the door open for a return feud while moving Rusev into a sphere where he could legitimately take on the likes of Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, Bryan, Reigns and Lesnar. 

Rusev retaining the U.S. title makes sense because it means more opportunities for WWE.