8 New Directions For WWE After Clash In Paris 2025
6. Rusev Coming For Sami Zayn?
OK, sheer guesswork here, but a renewed Rusev going after Sami Zayn's newly won United States Title over on SmackDown would be a good spot for him. It'd be a decent spot on the card for both, actually. Sami took the belt from Solo Sikoa on the 'go home' episode of Smackers pre-Clash In Paris, so he'll be looking for fresh opponents over the coming months.
Enter Ru-Ru. It is truly 'Rusev Day' once again.
His 'Donnybrook' match vs. Sheamus was a lot of fun over in France, and Rusev could do something similar (albeit against more of an underdog) with Zayn. Think of it like this: SmackDown GM Nick Aldis could suggest a trade with Adam Pearce that takes Rusev to Fridays and sends Jimmy Uso to Mondays. Both itches scratched - The Usos would be reunited, and a 'Bulgarian Brute' would be able to target a prize he knows only too well.
Rusev is going through a bit of a career history purge right now. He had League Of Nations lore with Sheamus, and he's a former 3-time US Champ during his first spell in WWE. The first pair of those reigns proved memorable and helpful to his career. The third, not so much, but a fourth could put that right.
Sami would probs go over in the end. Or, and hear this out, maybe he doesn't. Maybe he eventually drops the United States Title to Rusev before embarking on a Royal Rumble-meets-WrestleMania dream push. That's something WWE's writing team should give some serious thought to. They'd be helping multiple stars with this sort of booking.