6 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Jun 26)

3. Heating Rusev Up

Rusev Shirt
WWE.com

There's a clear need to heat Rusev up ahead of his WWE Championship shot at Extreme Rules. Though popular, he has largely operated as a jobber to the stars these past few years. He'll probably play this role against AJ Styles, but he needs victories if he's to be taken seriously as a challenger, and he notched another last night.

One week removed from triumphing in the SmackDown gauntlet, 'The Bulgarian Brute' overcame Xavier Woods. Preceded by The New Day scoffing a pancake smoothie backstage, it was a good little TV bout with Woods showing plenty of fight throughout, though he never really stood a chance. Even with his allies at ringside, Xavier was always losing here, and that's fine: he's not the one wrestling Styles in two-and-a-half weeks.

Woods went high-risk with his ropewalk elbow, but missed. This allowed Ru-Ru to blast him with the Machka Kick then follow up with the Accolade for the victory. A clean, conclusive outcome, and the big man cut a solid promo afterwards, citing AJ's recent assault on Aiden English as proof he is afraid of what'll happen at the pay-per-view.

Another solid night for a challenger primed and ready to work the best match of his career at Extreme Rules.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.