
Rusev (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (United States Championship)
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
You know how to get me really excited about Nakamura/Rusev on the Kickoff Show? Have it follow a pointless Raw Tag Team Championship match. My only question is, “Who is the babyface here?” Is it Nakamura or Rusev? Actually, does that even matter, since their styles are so different in the ring? While the match itself is fun to watch, there are so many close call two counts. Everything is almost a three count. Very quickly, however, the match turned into a “powerhouse vs. technician” match, which worked extremely well for the storytelling here. Of course, nothing can really go to plan when you have Lana hanging on the outside of the ring, and it ends up costing Rusev his title. It was fine. This match was a little better than I expected it to be, considering the story behind these two fighting was non-existent. However, I feel much better living in United States of Nakamerica than having Rusev as champ right now.
5.5/10
— Mat Elfring
Rusev and Nakamura are two very interesting and very similar superstars. They both got over huge with audiences to the point where you might expect them to be in the world title picture–and at least one of them should be. However, they seem to be toiling in the midcard and now, one year after winning the Royal Rumble, Nakamura is on the kickoff show. Their feud has been pretty boring, with no real fire to keep it going other than Shinsuke wanting his title back. That said, even without an engaging feud driving this match, these two men delivered a pretty good match–certainly one that could have been great with a few more minutes to play out and a spot on the main show. Giving Nakamura back the title is fine, but doesn’t really do him any favors. He should be in the main event, tangling with Daniel Bryan over the WWE Championship.
5/10
— Chris E. Hayner
Considering that these two have no real, personal reason to fight beyond the title itself, this was a good match from both performers; it was well-paced with solid, “real”-looking moves. Nakamura is United States champion again, which is great. But damn, what a fall from grace to go from winning the Royal Rumble to fighting on the pre-show the following year. Also, I remember when Lana used to be an essential part of Rusev’s schtick. She was a sharp-tongued, cool strategist, the only one who could control Rusev and get him to release his Accolade finisher. Now, she serves little purpose other than to wince at the high spots and fall off the apron. She used to be more clever than this.
6/10
— Kevin Wong







