The United States Championship and the Intercontinental title are the two premier mid-card titles in WWE right now. Both the championship belts are equally prestigious, and the Superstar holding the title has an essential place in the roster.

Speaking of the US title, the championship has been active since 1975. Harley Race was the first man to win this belt when it was exclusive to NWA and JCP. The title became a part of WWE in 2003, and Eddie Guerrero was crowned the new champ.

A majority of the Superstars have managed to transition into a main event star after winning the United States Championship.

But, here is a list of the six multi-time US Champions who could never seize the company’s world title.

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#6 Samoa Joe

‘The Destroyer’ Samoa Joe has featured in multiple world title feuds on the main roster. After impressing everyone with his work in NXT, Joe arrived on RAW in 2017. A few months later, he won a fatal five-way match at Extreme Rules to become the new #1 contender for Brock Lesnar’s Universal Championship. The Samoan Submission Machine competed in a dream match with Lesnar at Great Balls of Fire. However, he could not dethrone him as the champion.

In the next two years, he tried to win the WWE Championship on SmackDown from AJ Styles and Kofi Kingston. Although the rivalries were very personal, Joe failed to become the face of the Blue brand.

Samoa Joe as United States Champion

Speaking of his United States title reigns, the former NXT Champion won his first US title during a SmackDown episode of March 2019. He then lost the belt to Rey Mysterio. However, Mysterio’s injury compelled him to relinquish the title back to Joe voluntarily. After a brief reign as the United States Champion, Samoa Joe bowed down to Ricochet.

Since he is currently working as a commentator on RAW, the probability that Samoa Joe becomes the world champion in 2020 is very low.

#5 Rusev

One of the most loved wrestlers of this generation, Rusev never received a true main event push during his WWE run. The only significant world championship opportunity that the multi-time United States Champion received was at the Extreme Rules event of 2018, where he challenged AJ Styles for the WWE title. While The Bulgarian Brute could not become the face of the company, he won the United States Championship multiple times in his career.

Rusev’s three reigns as United States Champion

His first title triumph occurred at the RAW Backstage Pass in 2014 when he beat Sheamus to win the United States Championship. After seizing the gold, he crushed the entire roster and even recorded a win over John Cena.

However, WWE took the belt off his waist at WrestleMania 31. Then, the Creative team booked him in a love quadrangle, involving Dolph Ziggler, Lana, and Summer Rae.

That storyline killed the former United States Champion’s momentum. But, he captured the US Championship once again at Extreme Rules 2016. Looking at the way he decimated Kalisto at the event, it seemed like he would establish himself as a monster heel on RAW. After a four-month reign as champion, Rusev lost the belt to ‘The Big Dog’ Roman Reigns.

He could not win any title for over two years before WWE crowned him as the United States Champion again. His third reign was his shortest one, as Shinsuke Nakamura defeated him for the belt after 32 days.

#4 Shinsuke Nakamura

The 2-time United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura was one of the hottest Superstars on SmackDown in 2017. WWE booked him to win the men’s Royal Rumble match in 2018. However, he could not win the WWE Championship from AJ Styles at WrestleMania 34. The duo battled in multiple one-on-one bouts, but The Artist could not win the world title.

He turned heel during that rivalry, and after losing his feud against Styles, Nakamura pursued the mid-card title. The Creative team booked him to become the United States Champion at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view event in 2018. After winning the United States Championship, Nakamura stayed at the helm of the mid-card for 163 days.

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Shinsuke Nakamura as United States Champion

Although his title reign was not so eventful, the United States Champion had some exciting matches with Rey Mysterio and Seth Rollins. Ultimately, he lost his title to Rusev. However, Nakamura reclaimed his title at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, only to lose it to R-Truth after two nights.

It has been a long time since Nakamura featured in the world title scene. The Japanese legend has been a crucial part of the SmackDown roster for the last few years. Hence, the writers may push him to the top soon.

#3 Kalisto

Lucha House Party member, Kalisto has been off WWE TV for a while because of a shoulder separation. In his absence, his teammates have taken giant strides in the tag team division of late. One can perhaps expect that the 2-time United States Champion would be raring to go himself too.

Before becoming a part of this three-person group, Kalisto had achieved enormous success in the other divisions. He won the Cruiserweight title, the NXT Tag Team Championships, and a mid-card title of the main roster. WWE pushed Kalisto as an underdog in 2016 by inserting him in the mid-card championship scene.

Kalisto’s two reigns as United States Champion

He feuded with Alberto Del Rio for the title and produced an upset by dethroning him as the United States Champion on a RAW episode. Unfortunately, his first reign as the United States Champion did not last long as Del Rio regained the belt on the following SmackDown. The two Superstars competed in another title bout at the Royal Rumble kick-off show.

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Kalisto won that match to seize his second US title. WWE gave him a long reign this time as he had the gold around his waist for 119 days. During his regime, the United States Champion picked up a massive win over Ryback at WrestleMania 32. Rusev ended his reign at Extreme Rules, and the Luchadore has not received a singles push since.

#2 MVP

One of the top heel managers in WWE currently, MVP, made his return to Vince McMahon’s organization earlier this year. The 2-time United States Champion was one of the surprise entrants in the 2020 men’s Royal Rumble match. Although he could not win the bout, Montel Vontavious Porter received a positive reception from the crowd.

Since he is 46 now, MVP has limited his in-ring appearances and has tried to elevate the upcoming stars with his mic skills. He recently aligned himself with Bobby Lashley, and it looks like this alliance will dominate Monday Night RAW. The rumor mills have suggested that Lashley could clash with Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at Backlash. This rumor solidifies the claim made above.

MVP as the United States Champion

Back in the 2000s, MVP was one of the top wrestlers in WWE. He became the United States Champion for the first time in 2007 when he defeated Chris Benoit for the title at Judgement Day. MVP established himself as one of the most dominant Superstars of the company by holding the belt for 343 days.

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Two years later, he became the United States Champion once again with a win over Shelton Benjamin. Given that he has restricted his role to a manager now, it is unlikely that the fans will ever see MVP winning the world championship.

#1 R-Truth

R-Truth has been a part of WWE for many years now, and it is surprising to note that he has not won the world championship yet. The Truth has received a United States Championship push twice during different phases of his career. He became the United States Champion for the first time in the year 2010 when he won a tournament to win the vacated title. After a 20-day regime, The Miz dethroned him as the champion.

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R-Truth’s second run as United States Champion

Nine years later, he captured the title once again on the SmackDown episode after Royal Rumble 2019. Although no one expected him to win the belt, his immense popularity compelled the Creative team to give a run at the top of the mid-card.

The in-ring veteran has produced many hilarious moments in WWE history. Since his character has always been funny, the Creative team may have refrained from pushing him as their top guy. The 48-year-old Superstar recently battled Bobby Lashley at the Money in the Bank PPV.

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Looking at his booking pattern, the possibilities of R-Truth seizing the world championship in WWE are negligible. He had competed for the World Heavyweight Championship in his prime, but the writers did not book him to win the gold.

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