WWE News: New United States Champion Crowned On SmackDown Live

The United States Title changed hands on SmackDown Live!

While a lot of people were already aware of what was going to go down tonight on WWE’s Christmas episode of SmackDown Live (see full results with Mitchell’s Live Report), those that avoided spoilers got a welcome surprise to close out the show.

Our main event this evening featured ‘The Bulgarian Brute’ Rusev finally getting his hands on Shinsuke Nakamura with the United States Championship on the line, as ‘The King of Strong Style’ previously avoided a title defense with the use of his now trademark low blow.

As you would expect, it was a back-and-forth contest with Shinsuke looking to keep control of ‘Nakamerica’ with the use of his skilled strikes, all while trying to keep away from Rusev’s power game. The match gave us numerous near falls and there were times when it looked as if either man was going to pick-up a victory. In the end though, it was a massive Machka Kick by ‘The Bulgarian Brute’ that would put Nakamura down for the count, giving Rusev the pinfall and his third United States Championship.

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

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