For the first time in his WWE career, Rusev has suffered a pinfall loss. John Cena put him down to win the United States Championship, finishing the hero of the Russian Federation with an Attitude Adjustment.
John Cena vs. Rusev: Russia’s hero suffers his first pin loss at WrestleMania
USA! USA! USA!
This feud has been a throwback to the 1980s, and in the best way. Rusev is from Russia, hates America, and loves Vladmir Putin. He insults America at every opportunity. Cena, of course, loves America and everything it stands for. He will not tolerate someone putting down America, especially while holding the United States Championship.
These two fought over the U.S. title at WWE Fastlane, with Rusev prevailing. While Rusev’s manager Lana distracted the referee, Rusev kicked Cena in the groin, then applied this submission move The Accolade until Cena passed out and the referee was forced to stop the match. In the build-up to this match, Rusev initially denied Cena a rematch, but Lana accepted on his behalf when Cena put Rusev in the STF and refused to let go until being granted the match.
Despite Cena coming out to a chorus of “John Cena sucks”, Rusev did everything he could to get booed, and succeeded. He knocked Cena down early, then held a Russian flag over him to agitate the crowd. Still, the crowd booed every Cena punch and cheered Rusev’s.
The first 10 minutes of the match were dead even, with both competitors getting plenty of shots in at a fast pace. Cena got the STF on, but was distracted by Lana throwing her shoe, and Rusev was able to crawl to the ropes. Shortly afterwards, Rusev shockingly went to the top rope, then delivered an amazing flying headbutt. Cena matched him, hitting a springboard stunner off the second rope, eliciting a U-S-A! chant from Levi’s Stadium.
But Rusev recovered, and got Cena locked in The Accolade. He looked to be fading, but pushed himself to his feet and backed Rusev into the corner to break the hold. He jumped on Rusev’s back and put him back in the STF, but Lana distracted him and he sprang up.
As Rusev went to capitalize, he lunged at Cena, but he dove out of the way and Rusev barreled into Lana. Rusev was stunned at what he’d done, and wasn’t paying attention as Cena put the Bulgarian Brute up on his shoulders to hit the Attitude Adjustment and pin Rusev for the first time.
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