5 -- U.S. champion RUSEV (w/Lana) vs. JOHN CENA -- United States Title match
Before the bell sounded, Cole noted Cena won his first major title at WrestleMania 20 when he won this very U.S. Title at Madison Square Garden. As soon as the bell sounded, Cena ran over Rusev with a clothesline for a one count. Rusev came back with his own clothesline for a one count. He then dominated Cena to the point where he called for his Russian flag. Rusev waved the flag over Cena, who fought back to cut off Rusev's gloating. Cena made a comeback to boos, then hit a sit-out slam. Boos. Cena wanted the Five Knuckle Shuffle, and he connected. Early for that to connect without a counter. But, Rusev blocked the AA set-up and slammed Cena for a two count.
Rusev stomped the mat and went for a kick, but Cena ducked, only to take a swinging slam for another nearfall. The crowd picked up a "Let's Go Lana" chant before Rusev tried to get the focus back on him with a standing kick to Cena's face. Rusev wanted a corner attack, but Cena countered with a swinging DDT for a two count. To their feet for a standing exchange. "You can't beat me, John Cena!" Rusev shouted in Cena's face. Rusev delivered the Alabama Slam, but Cena kicked out of a pin.
Rusev stuck his foot out celebrating too much, allowing Cena to trap him and drag him down to the mat for the STF. Lana chucked her shoe into the ring trying to distract Cena, then Rusev reached the bottom rope for a break. Cena tried to shake off the distraction, but he ran into a big overhead bodyslam from Rusev. Rusev then climbed to the top rope and flew down at Cena with a diving shoulder tackle for a close two count. Rusev, exasperated, just fell back onto the mat not believing it. "Rusev, Rusev" chant from some of the crowd.
Rusev called for the end at 11:00. He tried to apply The Accolade submission, but Cena turned his body to block and kick Rusev away. Cena then went for something like a springboard turn-around Stunner. The crowd didn't know what to make of it. Cena covered, but Rusev kicked out. WWE went to a slow-motion replay of Cena delivering the backwards Stunner of sorts. Cena tried to follow up, but he ran into a sidekick.
Rusev slapped on The Accolade center-ring, then squeezed hard on Cena's body as the announcers acted like he was done. Which meant he was not. Cena suddenly powered to his feet, ran Rusev into the turnbuckle, and broke the hold. Rusev tried to charge Cena, but Cena dropped him to the mat with the STF. Cena dropped the hold when Lana got on the ring apron, then Rusev tried to charge Cena, but Cena moved and Rusev crashed hard into Lana, sending her flying off the ring apron to the floor. Cena then hit the AA on Rusev. One, two, no kick-out, three count for Cena.
Post-match, Rusev yelled down at Lana and the trainer, who was checking on Lana. Cena then took his title belt, kissed the widow of Arnold Skaaland, and took a victory lap. Meanwhile, Rusev stormed away from ringside as the medics helped Lana to the back. Cena returned to the ring and celebrated with the title belt. No big American Flag drop for Cena.
WINNER: Cena at 14:31 to capture the U.S. Title. Pretty good title match. The crowd wasn't going to be into Cena, but the chants for Lana and some chants for Rusev were not too much of a distraction. Rusev took the loss, but they tried to put the focus on Rusev-Lana issues coming out of Mania to protect Rusev somewhat. Cena winning, combined with Bryan winning the IC Title, shows a renewed focus on the mid-card titles, as long as the follow-up is strong. (**3/4)
