Poor Rusev. This time last year he was a top level heel in WWE, bringing credibility and legitimacy in spades. He was undefeated, he was the United States Champion, he was going to be a top heel for the company for a while to come. He was the runner up in the 2015 Royal Rumble, lasting longer than anyone else except Bray Wyatt and eliminating more people than anyone else (along with Wyatt and Roman Reigns). Fast forward to 2016, and the difference is as depressing as it is frustrating. Roman Reigns and Rusev started out the match this year because WWE loves symmetry, and the writing was on the wall for the Bulgarian Brute. A short flurry of attacks gave him a strong start, but you can get a good impression of his performance by how long he was in the match. One minute, 30 seconds. Tossed with ease, Rusev has been blunted irreparably.