10 Best Matches From Wrestlers WWE Released This Week

4. Rusev vs. AJ Styles

AJ Styles Rusev
WWE.com

Rusev didn't get enough chances at the top-tier titles during his time in WWE. At Extreme Rules 2018 though, all the missteps in the world (from a career filled with them) couldn't stop him from tearing the house down alongside the ever-dependable AJ Styles.

This was a WWE Title stunner, albeit one you might've forgotten about.

The way Rusev worked AJ's back to grind him down for the Accolade was nice, and so was Styles' own focus on the Bulgarian's legs to wear him down and lock on submissions. In addition, the exposed turnbuckle finish protected Rusev, and the story sowed some seeds for his split from Aiden English. Everything here had purpose.

What could've been a throwaway snoozefest to tide AJ over before his feud with Samoa Joe was actually a sleeper hit. Anyone hoping Rusev would finally get the run on top he deserved after this showing would be disappointed, but at least it's there to enjoy on the Network.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.