10 Quick WWE Fixes To Save Rusev
4. Red Or Dead
If ever a period could debunk a WWE-mandated catchphrase, it's been the post-WrestleMania tenure for SmackDown Live!'s once-revered 'Land of Opportunity'.
Since the 'Show of Shows' and especially the 'Superstar Shake-up', the brand has failed resolutely to elevate new talent, including those that were already seeking refuge from Monday Night Raw. With the glaring exception of Jinder Mahal, every Raw superstar to arrive on the blue brand has either remained in stasis or fallen even further off the main event map. Kevin Owens, The New Day, Tamina and Charlotte Flair are no better off than they were on the flagship show, whilst Sami Zayn, The Shining Stars, Sin Cara join Rusev and Lana as arguably being in far worse a state.
A last chance saloon it may be for the 'Bulgarian Brute' and 'Ravishing Russian' at this point, but a shock return to Raw in a subversion of the usual roster refugee move could be exactly what the pair need to wash away the stains of their short but not-inconsequential Tuesday Night runs.
Furthermore, Rusev hasn't appeared on Raw since Kurt Angle took the reigns. The potential chemistry between the pair could be both hilarious and fiercely competitive. And though well-worn, a rivalry with an authority figure would at least keep him in a prominent position on the card. It's the very least he deserves.