Lana and Rusev enter the ring and Lana says Rusev was supposed to face Ryback, but John Cena got him fired, so she wants to thank him. Lana runs down Americans for not having jobs, then Rusev says Ryback is a spineless man who deserved to be fired. He says Ryback doesn’t deserve to be in the ring with him, just like the fans don’t deserve him as their United States Champion. Rusev says he has to tell Ryback a secret, and he is lucky he lost his job because he would’ve gotten hurt in the Royal Rumble match, just like 28 other men. Dean Ambrose cuts him off and runs right in the ring, and ducks a punch before knocking Rusev through the ropes.
Dean Ambrose vs Rusev
We get back from a break to see a match was made official, and Rusev kicks Ambrose a few times before Ambrose sets up for a DDT. Rusev shoves him back but Ambrose kicks him and drops Rusev with a clothesline, then he heads up top and connects with a diving elbow for two. Ambrose grabs his knee and Rusev slams him onto the turnbuckles, then he punches Ambrose’s knee until the ref pulls him back, and the ref calls for the bell. Rusev is awarded the win by ref stoppage, then Ambrose pleads with the ref and Rusev ends up superkicking him before celebrating.
Winner – Rusev
The Authority is shown in the ring and they welcome all three title match participants, then Paul Heyman says he wishes he could take credit for all of this. Heyman says Seth Rollins deserves all thanks, and he endorses what Rollins did because it was bad for John Cena. He says bad for Cena is good for Brock Lesnar, and good for Lesnar is best for business. Rollins starts thanking him but Heyman says he isn’t done yet, and Brock has conquered everything in his path, including him at the Royal Rumble. Rollins says they are upset because it’s a triple threat now, and Heyman says yes he’s upset because a triple threat could mean a double cross, and Brock could lose without getting pinned. Rollins puts Brock over and asks Heyman if they doubt Brock could handle a triple threat, then Heyman tries to answer but Rollins says he isn’t done yet. He says he might not have Brock’s resume, but Brock doesn’t have his either, and he talks about all he has done.
Rollins talks about starting and breaking up the Shield, as well as beating Cena tonight, so it doesn’t matter what plan they have, because he is winning the WWE title. Rollins goes to sign but Brock says he will conquer Rollins just like he conquered Undertaker, John Cena and Triple H. Cena says Rollins is going to get his ass kicked by both Brock and himself, then he is going to kick Brock’s ass and win, because Brock doesn’t need to get pinned to lose, but he will make sure it happens. Rollins laughs and says Cena’s plans haven’t been working in his favor, and he has a few strikes against him, with the final one being the Royal Rumble. Rollins says that’s assuming Cena makes it there, then he takes a swing with his briefcase but Cena ducks and they all start fighting. Brock slams Cena into the corner and hits him, but Cena ends up hitting an Attitude Adjustment through the table. Rollins Curb Stomps him, then Brock tries to get up, but Rollins Curb Stomps him and celebrates with The Authority.
BP: Good way to make all three look strong, but most of all Rollins. Plenty of people have said he ‘doesn’t belong in the match’, but I definitely disagree. Rollins getting the title shot is consistent with his character, and it’s a good wild card element to the Royal Rumble. Overall tonight was decent. Nothing horrible, but nothing can’t miss either.
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