Rusev became a three-time United States Champion by defeating Shinsuke Nakamura on the Christmas Day edition of SmackDown.
Rusev won the title after hitting Nakamura with his second Machka Kick of the match. But while Nakamura vs. Rusev was the main event, there was another segment after that. Vince McMahon and AJ Styles met backstage, with the storyline being that Vince was trying to get a reaction out of Styles.
Vince said he wants to see the real Styles. He said he and Styles are a lot alike, and Styles has a black hole in his heart and an animal inside of him begging to get out. Vince slapped Styles, then Styles responded by punching Vince in the face. The episode ended by showing Vince on the floor smiling.
Daniel Bryan interrupted R-Truth and Carmella in the opening segment and later attacked Mustafa Ali after Ali had defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas.
Also on SmackDown, Shane McMahon appeared on Miz TV and agreed to become Miz’s tag team partner, Jeff Hardy got disqualified against Samoa Joe, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson teamed with The Usos against Cesaro, Sheamus & SAnitY, and Mandy Rose taunted Naomi by unsuccessfully attempting to flirt with Jimmy Uso.
More coverage from last night —
SmackDown notes: Vince McMahon-AJ Styles, next week’s episode
WWE SmackDown live results: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Rusev
WWE SmackDown video highlights —
Daniel Bryan interrupts Truthy Claus and Carmelfa
Mustafa Ali vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
The Usos, Gallows & Anderson vs. The Bar & SAnitY
Daniel Bryan attacks Mustafa Ali backstage
Shane McMahon agrees to team with The Miz
Jeff Hardy vs. Samoa Joe
Mandy Rose taunts Naomi by trying to flirt with Jimmy Uso
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Rusev for the United States Championship
Vince McMahon gets a reaction out of AJ Styles
SmackDown fallout: Rusev thanks his mother after winning the US title
SmackDown fallout: Rusev and Lana react to Rusev’s US title win
SmackDown fallout: It’s a whole new year for Gallows & Anderson