10 WWE Royal Rumble 2019 Impulse Reactions
9. Ankle Crock
Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev have now traded the United States Championship twice over the past two months, with Lana's physical involvement playing a part each time as the company remains completely indifferent towards the 'Ravishing Russian' and, seemingly, the 'Bulgarian Brute' too.
It was an extremely tacked-on finish until it wasn't (but more on that later), but it was at least the most exciting part of the match and the most believable reason for 'The King Of Strong Style' to regain his prize.
Not to sh*t on worthy work, but wrestling must surely be the secondary reason for Shinsuke to be sticking at it in WWE. Years of brutalising his body in Japan has allowed him to be rewarded late in his career for a relatively easier run of things - but it doesn't exactly make for fascinating viewing unless you particularly like watching him surf on WWE Network specials. Rusev's plight seems even worse in defeat here. Robbed of new Cruiserweight commentator Aiden English last year, he looks set to lose Lana (again) in 2019.
The fan that was forced to remove the AEW shirt perhaps should have chucked it his way - a move in that direction seems the only feasible life preserver for a completely busted flush.