WWE Royal Rumble 2018: 10 Outside Bets To Win The Men's Match

In a fair world, Rusev would be a multiple time world champion by now. The Bulgarian Brute is a perfect WWE headliner, charismatic, athletic and built like a brick sh*t house. Yet, as so many have before him, his push evaporated at the hands of John Cena, and he has wallowed in limp rivalries and disappointing factions ever since.

However, since the advent of Rusev Day and his partnership with Aiden English, the Bulgarian Brute is more over than he has ever been. The reaction the duo received at Clash of Champions was astonishing, and as tone-deaf as creative can be, it would be a crime not to strike while the iron is hot and give Rusev the long overdue push he deserves.

While a win at the Rumble would be unexpected, it's been far too long since WWE surprised us at the January spectacular. Seeing Rusev's arm raised in victory would be the most explosive Rumble ending in years, and as we haven't seen him in a genuine program with AJ Styles yet, the potential WrestleMania match is very exciting indeed.

As AJ proved at Survivor Series, he works well against bigger men, and Rusev is as fluid a performer between the ropes than Brock Lesnar. The bout would no doubt be a match of the evening competitor, and even if Rusev doesn't win the title, seeing him in a marquee match at WrestleMania would be vindication for his legions of aggrieved fans.