WWE Payback 2015: John Cena Continues His Run As The United States Champion; Submits Rusev With The STF As Lana Says 'I Quit' For The Bulgarian Brute!

The champ is here! John Cena emerged as the United States Champion at WWE Payback defeating Rusev in a brutal "I Quit" match.

Just as the WWE Universe anticipated, John Cena successfully defended his belt in an "I Quit" match and the Cenation leader's run as the champ continued Sunday at Payback as he defeated Rusev in the vicious match.

Surprisingly, the biggest fan reaction of the night came for Cena, perhaps hinting a growing admiration for the champion that never gives up. The World Wrestling Entertainment prolonged Cena and Rusev's feud. Both Cena and Rusev had a nice run, culminating the best match on Sunday, May 17.

Cleveland noted that the ending was a little sloppy, but both John Cena and Rusev brutalized each other until the very last minute when Cena put Rusev in the STF and his mouthpiece Lana had to submit for him.

Although it didn't compulsorily bring a resolution to the Lana/Rusev relationship, it definitely should allow the reigning United States Champion to move on and continue his mid-card thrills as the champ.

However, this stirred conversations hinting a feud between Rusev and Lana as the hero of the Russian Federation was not pleased with Lana after the match, according to Bleacher Report.

John Cena unquestionably added a lot of dignity to the United States title since winning it from Rusev at WrestleMania 31. Cena even held US open challenges on a show-by-show basis, which resulted in some really exciting matches. The Bulgarian Brute, however tried everything possible to take back what he felt was his.

Before failing to defend his title against Cena at WrestleMania, Rusev had actually defeated Cena at WWE Fastlane with some help from Lana in the form of interference. Nonetheless, it was indeed a huge victory. After that, Rusev lost to Cena at WWE Extreme Rules in a Russian Chain match, but the string of losses didn't stop Rusev from entering Payback with the utmost confidence. Rusev went as far as promising an entertaining match.

No fucking doubt, the two threw everything they could at one another, as the hardcore element made this match different from their previous encounters. While some believed John Cena deserved to retain his championship, others wanted Rusev to defeat Cena at Payback since the United States Championship is so vital to his character.