5 WWE Superstars from the 2010s who should have been World Champion

#1. Rusev

Rusev

Rusev was one of the most popular WWE superstars in the later part of the 2010s. He went from being an Anti-American, Bulgarian powerhouse, to the fun, loveable and charming superstar who called every day Rusev Day.

Rusev was released last April 15 due to the budget cuts from the COVID-19 crisis. He left WWE as three-time United States champion but someone who should have been world champion at least once.

When Rusev Should Have Won: 2015 and 2018

“The Bulgarian Brute” made his WWE debut in 2014 and went on an undefeated streak. Rusev eventually became United States champion by bulldozing through opponents such as Big E, Jack Swagger, Mark Henry, Big Show and Sheamus. He then entered a feud against John Cena heading to WrestleMania 31.

Many felt that Rusev should have defeated Cena, not necessarily at WrestleMania 31, but their overall feud. WWE created an unstoppable force in Rusev for him to just put Cena over.

It was a poor decision by WWE since they could have used a heel Rusev to help Roman Reigns be more popular. Instead, they put him in a dull love triangle storyline with his real-life wife Lana and Dolph Ziggler, which did not help his career.

Fast forward three years later and Rusev was able to become popular once again. Rusev went from being the Bulgarian Brute to a charismatic Superstar that the fans loved. He was entertaining and fun to watch with fans chanting "Rusev Day" every week.

Rusev got his first ever WWE title shot against A.J. Styles but he failed to win it. He was a Superstar that WWE did not capitalise on, but hopefully he can come back some day or be successful wherever he signs for next.