United States Championship Match Set For “Money In The Bank”

Rumors surrounding the United States Championship match for “Money In The Bank” have been swirling for the past few days. Everything was made official on Michael Cole’s weekly segment on WWE.com, when he announced to his guest, Titus O’Neil, that he would be receiving a title shot against Rusev at the pay-per-view on June 19.

The news comes after O’Neil made a challenge to Rusev for the championship on the May 30 edition of “Monday Night Raw.”

O’Neil made his official return to WWE programming on the May 2 edition of “Raw,” where he came up short in a battle royal to determine a new No.1 contender for the United States Championship. Prior to this, he had been suspended for 60 days, following an altercation with Vince McMahon on the February 8 edition of “Raw.”

In the above video, O’Neil briefly addresses his suspension, stating that he did everything in his power to turn a negative into a positive. It allowed him to spend more time with his family, see the world outside of WWE, as well as concentrate more on the charity work and appearances that he makes within the framework of the company.

Below are some highlights from the official press release regarding the match:

If America is the land of opportunity, then Titus O’Neil took that message to heart: After weeks of aggressively pursuing a U.S. Championship Match, The Big Deal will officially challenge Rusev for the prestigious championship at Money in the Bank.

Like all opportunities, however, this one didn’t exactly get handed to O’Neil without a few hurdles. The former WWE Tag Team Champion seemed to appoint himself as The Super Athlete’s challenger almost as soon as Rusev won the U.S. Title from Kalisto, taking particular exception to the Bulgarian’s claim that he is a true “American hero.” The championship, according to Rusev, should go to the Superstar who displays the kind of superiority and resolve that is symbolic of the United States, which makes him, one of the most ferocious competitors in the ring today, the rightful bearer of the title.

Given those boasts, O’Neil, man known for his philanthropic ventures as well as his in-ring prowess, challenged The Bulgarian Brute to put his money where his mouth was after almost each and every one of his matches and put the U.S. Title on the line as any honest American would for a worthy challenger. Each time, Rusev refused to grant Titus the opportunity, even when O’Neil hauled off and slapped The Super Athlete in the mouth.

But where Rusev was stubborn (some would say cowardly), WWE officials apparently recognized the kind of enterprising spirit that comprised the very backbone of the American dream all those years ago, and sanctioned a bout between the two at Money in the Bank. If nothing else, it’s safe to say that Titus O’Neil has made his own opportunity. That’s about as American as it gets. Now it’s on him to follow through.

You can read the full press release at this link.

Editor’s Note:

I am beyond thrilled for O’Neil to receive this opportunity. I believe that he truly is a company man, and believes very strongly in being a good father and a good person. Good things happen to good people, and O’Neil certainly deserves this chance to show the world what he can do!

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