Title Changes Hands On WWE SmackDown

A veteran was rewarded last night.

Carmella R-Truth US Title
WWE

Just days after Shinsuke Nakamura reclaimed the United States Championship at Royal Rumble 2019, the belt is in the possession of a brand new owner.

R-Truth, still seething from having his plum Royal Rumble number 30 spot unfairly snatched from him by Nia Jax, refocused his rage to stun Nakamura with a small package to claim his second US title. Rusev emerged seconds later, challenging the new champ to his mandatory rematch, but he too was swatted away.

Truth, 47, is the second oldest US champ in the long and illustrious history of the strap. Interestingly, his first reign came immediately after the oldest holder, Bret Hart, vacated the belt in 2010. Hart was 52-years-old when he best The Miz for the championship in a no-disqualification contest.

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In addition to his two reigns with the stars and stripes strapped around his waist, Truth is also a two-time Hardcore Champion, and a one-time Tag Team Champion, claiming the title alongside Kofi Kingston in April 2012.

After their respective losses on Tuesday, Rusev and Nakamura agreed to team together for 'one time only' against Gallows & Anderson next week. We suspect the duo will last a bit longer than that.

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Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.