It's damned if you do, and damned if you don't, isn't it? How many people on here complain incessantly that the WWE has become boring, too predictable, that every occurrence is so over analyzed and so dissected that there is never any shock value, any surprise, anything that deviates from the norm. So they do something different, and have the title change hands, exclusively on the WWE Network, and people complain anyway.
Sure, Rusev winning the US title in and of itself was not real shocking. However, having it happen on the WWE Network, rather than on RAW, SD, or PPV, was different. During a period of time when they are in a bit of a lull, on a month when they are giving the network away for free, and on a night that was supposed to bring the WWE Network to the UK, I thought it was not a bad decision at all.
Years ago, during the Attitude Era, the Monday Night Wars, etc., pro wrestling was must see. You had to tune in because if you didn't, God knows what you might miss. This could be at least an attempt to bring this must see attitude to the modern day. People on the fence about purchasing the Network may be more inclined to do so if it is pushed as something which could bring something they otherwise may not get.
The key here is, what do they do with this storyline now that they have gone down this road. Ask ar as I'm concerned, WWE has far more pressing concerns these days than simply what they air on free TV versus the WWE Network. The product itself is in dire need of a shake up and if this doesn't happen and soon, it's not going to matter where they choose to air their storylines.