Rusev defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to capture the WWE United States Title on tonight’s Christmas edition of SmackDown.
The match was taped last Tuesday night at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, CA, but it ended up airing on Rusev’s 34th birthday.
This is Rusev’s third run with the WWE United States Title. Nakamura won the title from Jeff Hardy back at Extreme Rules on July 15.
Below are photos and videos from tonight’s title change:
Mark your calendars. Today could very well be the happiest #RusevDay of all!#SDLive @RusevBUL @LanaWWE pic.twitter.com/8L55hfJo8o
— WWE (@WWE) December 26, 2018
It's time for a #Christmas celebration in the United States of #NakAmerica.#SDLive @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/Hid7K7Zog6
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 26, 2018
Some early mind games from @ShinsukeN don't impress @RusevBUL much. #SDLive #USTitle pic.twitter.com/fnUgP3Oj2W
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 26, 2018
The tide could be turning in favor of The #BulgarianBrute @RusevBUL… #SDLive #USTitle pic.twitter.com/EownTEhIpc
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 26, 2018
Looks like @ShinsukeN got a new toy for #Christmas… #SDLive #USTitle pic.twitter.com/KKvwdLmacH
— WWE (@WWE) December 26, 2018
We are all @LanaWWE watching this #USTitle showdown. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/Os9Wt8upjB
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 26, 2018
The birthday boy is SO close he can TASTE the #USTitle! #SDLive @RusevBUL pic.twitter.com/cL9B7ihdmD
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 26, 2018
"SANTAAAAAAA! OH MY GOD!"
Nope, nope, that was just @ShinsukeN kicking out of the #MachkaKick. #SDLive #USTitle pic.twitter.com/uA7CReiZjz
— WWE (@WWE) December 26, 2018
These two men are giving THEIR ALL as @RusevBUL & @ShinsukeN battle over the #USTitle on #SDLive! @LanaWWE pic.twitter.com/kZnBiq7kXG
— WWE (@WWE) December 26, 2018
RUSEV DAY! RUSEV DAY! RUSEV DAY! RUSEV DAY! RUSEV DAY! RUSEV DAY! RUSEV DAY! RUSEV DAY! RUSEV DAY! RUSEV DAY! RUSEV DAY! RUSEV DAY!
@RusevBUL is your NEWWWWW #USChampion on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/ExKh7mxBaT
— WWE (@WWE) December 26, 2018
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
HAPPY RUSEV DAY!#SDLive @RusevBUL @LanaWWE pic.twitter.com/thKqGdSCTb— WWE (@WWE) December 26, 2018
