Rusev is going to fizzle out....

[Nate DaMac]

If they don't figure out what the fuck they're going to do with him. He's beaten Swagger several times now in the last month and Jack seems to have moved on to a feud with Bo Dallas, so it's safe to say that's over. He took a quick beatdown from Mark Henry a couple of weeks ago but that seems to have been dropped so he and Big Show can feud with the Wyatts (so why have him smack Rusev around in the first place?) A logical step for him would be to step up to Sheamus for a US Title shot but that's been given to Cesaro because reasons.

What can they do to get Rusev back on track before they squander the heat he has?

 

[Tyrant25]

They've yet to give him any interesting program to work with. I'm a big of Rusev, but I agree, they're going to squander his momentum if they don't give him something important to do. I'd say he definitely needs to move on to the United States Championship and either debut a new championship belt or treat the current championship like crap. The whole anti-American shtick has been done to death, but I can't recall anyone doing something like that.

Wishful thinking calls me to say a feud with a returning Kurt Angle. Even if he loses the feud, it could put Rusev through the roof. Plus the similar styles could make for a classic match.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Does it matter? Eventually he'll fall to Cena anyway.

He's destined to be a mid-card talent and WWE don't do anything meaningful with their mid-card anyway.

 

[CrucifiedRaven]

Have him cost Henry/Big Show a match vs the Wyatt's at Night of Champions.
Have him go over Mark Henry at Hell In A Cell.
Have him win the US title from Sheamus at Survivor Series.
Have him re-name the US title the Russian title... similar to Lance Storm with the Canadian title... great heat
Have him carry the US/Russian title into WrestleMania, going over every face in the "upper mid card" in the process (Big Show, Sheamus, Ziggler, etc)

He has to lose eventually. But hopefully at that point he is over enough to be able to easily bounce back. He will eventually be fed to Cena or Roman Reigns though, like Ryback was.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Anything to keep him ticking over until something serendipitously falls into their lap and/or the time comes to have him lose to Cena/Reigns/Bryan.

That in mind, my choice would be Dolph Ziggler, intercontinental champion, babyface and self-promoter extraordinaire. Rusev likes hitting people hard and tossing them about, Ziggler likes acting like he's being mauled by a silverback. Perfect.

If you want to go even further down that rabbit hole, Rusev could be the one to unify the midcard titles because who will even notice at this point?

 

[Softcore Holly]

It is pretty shocking that Rusev is currently less likely to be at NOC than the guy he just beat 4 times in a row. I don't know why they're still doing the Henry/Show vs Wyatts thing once they've started Henry vs Rusev earlier, it's not like they can't find someone else doing nothing for Show to team with. And despite constantly being on the losing end Swagger is still getting screen time along with being in a actual feud with Bo.

NOC's card is pretty full already with 5 title matches and what I have to assume to be the finale of Y2J vs Bray. Assuming the very likely chance of Reigns vs Rollins getting added to the card, that leaves 1 match left which is looking like Bo vs Swagger or maybe even Wyatts vs Show/Henry. For Rusev to get on the card Bo's match would have to move to the pre-show and they have to wrap up Show/Henry vs Wyatts this week to get Rusev back on track. Oh and this is also assuming that they can't give the last match to Orton.

But they still have 4 weeks to figure all this out, on the plus side it is nice to see that they have so much talent that they literally can't find spots for them all.

 

[enviousdominous]

Mr. F.A.T., dear. Do you know the definition of the word "neurotic"?

They COULD have Rusev compete for the US title and pull an Iron Sheik style angle that potentially gives new life to the careers of both men, that's just one idea engaged in a Hunger Games esque battle royal with others in the minds of the freaks who write the show.

When Vince stamps an idea tv worthy, it probably won't be the most logical one. It'll probably be the only idea palatable enough to the writing staff about the time that they realize the show goes on in 30 minutes and they have to take a big shit right that second.

I figure they'll just recycle the old Akebono angle from HUSTLE and eventually have Rusev act like he's the offspring of Lana and Keiji Mutoh. Either way, it's the cure for insomnia.

 

[Bagpipes]

They could have Rusev futria, or they could have Rusev matchka. Either way, I'm all in.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I've been of the opinion that he should go after the United States Championship. I've been saying for weeks that it's the logical progression based on what they've been doing with Rusev for months now.

WWE's managed to successfully breathe new life into a faded and outdated gimmick of the foreign invader. Drawing upon some real life controversy involving Russia over the course of the past year, WWE's managed to do something we haven't seen in quite a long time: USA vs. Russia. To most people's surprise, including my own, it's actually been working out pretty well. Rusev & Lana have insulted America at every opportunity, Jack Swagger has stepped up to defend the country's honor, has actually gotten over as a babyface, Rusev's gotten good heat, they've put on some good matches in which Swagger's been protected through losing, Rusev's won a "flag match" at SummerSlam and Rusev has yet to be stopped via pinfall or submission. Since they've gone the route of Rusev tearing America a new asshole, why not go further and have him win the United States Championship?

Much like the notion of the foreign invader and USA vs. Russia gimmicks, it'd be a fun novelty to go down another road that we haven't seen in a long time: the big, bad Russian becoming United States Champion. These other gimmicks have gotten over surprisingly well and I believe this one could as well. Put the title on Rusev, give him a strong run as champion, maybe let Swagger manage to redeem himself by WrestleMania XXXI by taking the title from Rusev and MAYBE just see how things have gone for him up to then before deciding what to do with him next.

 

[The Butcher]

They can't mess up the key to Rusev's success: Lana. As long as they trot the pair out along with Rusev, and Lana says something, Rusev will stay relevant.

 

[GeneralKarim]

They really need to have him go for the US title, I totally agree. He will always be a mid-carder so in the end it doesnt really matter. WWE doesn't do much with its mid-carders so w/e.

I doubt he will stay relevant with the way he is being booked now. Unless he goes after the title I dont see him doing much. A feud with Ziggler to me isnt the most interesting thing atm because going after the US title makes too much damn sense.

At this time though I would like to personally compliment Rusev on his acting skills. I think in the ring he really does a very good job at selling w/e he is supposed to sell.

 

[Bagpipes]

I do like the idea of having Rusev win the US Title, definitley would out a ton of heat on him, especially if they ran some title defiling or disgracing promos after he won it. He and Swagger seem to have good chemistry together and I mark out with Zeb refers to Lana and Rusev as Boris and Natasha, so there's that.

 

[hacksawrowdyhogan]

Rusev is built like a tank. His problem lies in that he is short. I remember in the 80s every guy was on roids and built like him. He is a modern dino bravo, nothing more than a mid carder and nothing is wrong with that. Not everyone has to be main event like many think these days.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

Rusev is a dullard. There is nothing in his eyes that would make a person want to get to know him or what he is about. His wrestling style is kind of cool but he needs to show more strength or speed to get more attention. Just having his hot valet talk about Putin doesn't make the world get engaged with this man.

He looks like he is about to cry most of the time. His next character should be one that fights for antidepressants.

 

[RobertTheBruce]

Kurt Angle.

Would love to see him against Bray as well. Would be a great opportunity to turn the latter full fledged face. To be honest from the little we've seen of it to date (one no-contest on SD! & final 2 in MITB WHC battle royal on RAW), Rusev v Reigns has incredible heat. Crowd went ballistic both times.

 

[Navi]

I think he's already started to fizzle out. He does nothing for me at all, with his Godzilla type walk, and his grunts and groans, it's a piss break everytime he shows up. Jesus he can't even wave a flag properly.

Anyway, he only reason he has any heat at all his because of Lana, she's another Vicki Guerrero. She draws nuclear heat, if Lana wasn't there the crowd would be sitting on their hands. The USA/Russia thing only works inside the US as well, when the come to Canada, we don't give a shit about it. It's like the old saying "not my circus, not my monkeys"

 

[Aquaman6686]

In order to "fizzle out", Rusev needed to be "on fire" first. He never was. Lana gets all the heat. Rusev is just another typical big guy. He can't wrestle, can't talk, and has zero charisma. Jack Swagger should have come out on top in the feud. Rusev is going to be jobbing on Superstars in a few months, long forgotten, like every other worthless guy WWE has super-pushed in the last few years.

 

[L@RISANO]

If pushed correctly and he manages to retain the level of heat he has at this point, through various feuds and actions of his and Lana, I wonder if Rusev vs Daniel Bryan could be an option at Wrestlemania 31,tbh.

It surely would blow the roof off the building if DB was to finally be the one to kick Rusev's ass all over California...

 

[George Steele's Barber]

New idea...

Have Rusev and Swagger continue to feud. Set up a PPV match where if Swagger loses he has to renounce the USA, if Rusev loses Swagger gets to go on a date with Lana on the next Raw. Swagger wins. They go on the date through the next Raw. Maybe four or five vignettes where they have spirited arguments about freedom, liberty, Russia, the US etc. In the end you see some form of compromise and chemistry.

Over the next fee Raws Swagger maintains his patriotism and affiliation with Zeb but we also see he has a budding relationship with Lana. Lana has somewhat toned down her look. Taking on a more California girl appearance. She still represents Rusev but doesn't cut promos that are so strongly pro-Russia or anti-American. Rusev looks a little weaker during this time, even losing here and there to faces that WWE wants to push. Aka fizzling out.

Also during this time Zen can take on a few more patriotic guys. Not sure who but there are plenty of faces with nothing to do. In the end Zeb sends his men to take out Rusev once and for all. Swagger saves Rusev and permanently aligns with Lana and Russia. Rusev and Swagger form some Bolshevik type tag team who occasionally lose some singles matches to help but mid carders over.

Swagger wears lots of turtle necks.

 

[Mustang Sally]

I've been of the opinion that he should go after the United States Championship.

I agree. If they do this, it's one reason for Sheamus to hold on to the title at Night of Champions. If Rusev is to try and win the belt from Cesaro, they're going to have to turn Cesaro face, once and for all. Unless they're ready to do that, it should be Rusev-Sheamus.

Rusev has been involved in the feud with Swagger too long already, especially since he's beaten the American every time, including the last PPV, in which I was sure Swagger would be scheduled to win a Flag match with the dang Putin-lover. In my view, having Jack take this one match in the series wouldn't have damaged Rusev's push......but since Rusev won, it further surprised me to see the feud continue. I mean....what for?

If the company plans bigger things for Rusev in the near future (a big "if"), they've got to move him to someone a step up from Jack Swagger.

I think Sheamus in the next logical step. He's been demoted a bit since his world championship days, yet he's only a small step below main level; it would be a brisk move up for Rusev....that is, if the company truly plans for Rusev to advance. If they don't, it doesn't really matter what he does next....he'll be fodder for someone at the top level......or maybe someone below top level.

Unlike many fans, I'm more impressed with Rusev than I originally thought I'd be. I'm starting to like his build.....the guy resembles a human cannonball. He moves pretty well and can get off the ground better than I ever believed possible.

Yes, he's doing the same anti-American schtick that's been featured in pro wrestling since time immemorial. But with Lana at his side...and the way he goes about his business in the ring.....I find him a welcome change from other big men we've seen lumbering around.

I think he should get his day in the sun before sinking back to mid-level status.

 

[Terry Silver]

I want rusev gone, I dont like anything about him. He acts like a moron.

 

[mkw1962]

I know this post was started back in August but the update is Rusev got by Mark Henry and know is feuding with Big Show. Rusev is suppose to be starting a feud with Sheamus and he is going to take the title from Sheamus. I would love to see him fizzle out but instead I say let Bray Wyatt turn face and be the one to take down Rusev and be our United States Champion.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Sure, having him take the US title is an effective step that stems from his whole anti-American schtick. It's a logical continuation of what we've seen him doing all along, so that's good.

What comes after that is more iffy. When the nationalistic nonsense is finished, having Rusev bounce from one unrelated creative idea to another is a sure-fire way to diminish all interest folks might have in him. He may be a one-trick pony; it remains to be seen.

But even while he might become "just another big guy" bowling over people, he does have a couple of things in his favor: the chief one being Lana. She can stir up a lot of trouble, especially if she starts getting more physically involved in Rusev's matches. She appears to be very athletic (someone told me she break-dances?) and I see her as his most valuable asset if his persona isn't to fade away too quickly.

He also has his ring repertoire going for him. I'm surprised to read some people on this forum saying he doesn't move well, because I think he does. The guy's a human cannonball, yet more flexible in his movements than he appears when standing still.

Do I ever think he's going to get to main event level and fight guys like Cena, Orton and Bryan? Yes. .........Do I think he'll ever beat them decisively? No.

 

[JoeyJoeJoe]

Rusev doesn't really have much of a future beyond his current push, and I don't think the WWE should really worry much about where he ends up. The guy is basically no different from Umaga. They should continue his push for now because Lana DOES have a future, and this storyline is less about Rusev, as it is about getting her over and to the next level.

 

[RedRegan1005]

First off they need to get him the hell away from the Big Show! No offense, he has been in the business a long time, and done some good things. But currently Big Show is a heat killer. Any angle involving him turns into a comedy angle, and it will Kill Rusev's momentum. Rusev needs to take a knock out punch, and Kick out at Hell in a Cell, and then eventually win the match. It would add some heat Rusev, and get him out of this feud.

Then WWE needs to get the US strap on him. A Russian guy who hates america, getting to go around calling him self The Champion of America! Its such a simple and easy heat generator, I don't know why they haven't done it yet.