WWE United States Champion Rusev may be going after John Cena at the Royal Rumble to build toward a rumored match between the mighty Russian and the face of the company at WrestleMania 31.

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There have been rumors for a few months that Rusev vs. Cena was tentatively penciled in for WrestleMania 31 on March 29 at Levi's Stadium in California and it appears the WWE is headed down that path.

According to Wrestlingheadlines.com, there was an idea in place a few months ago to have Rusev cost Cena his WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumble to set up a bout between the two.

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Cena is slated to battle "Mr. Money in the Bank" Seth Rollins and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar in a Triple Threat Match at the event, which emanates on Jan. 25 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

The plans back in 2014 called for Rusev to interfere in the match to take out the "Cenation" leader and instantly spark up a feud that would carry over until WrestleMania.

Rusev is still undefeated and the WWE has made him look strong, likely to have him face-off with the No. 1 Superstar in the company.

The WWE is advertising a tag match pitting Cena and the returning Randy Orton against Rusev and Rollins at the Feb. 27 live event from Madison Square Garden in New York City.

This could be a sign that the company is planning on sparking up a Rusev-Cena feud since the two have yet to cross paths and the Russian hasn't feuded with Orton much either, making it seem as though he'll clash with Cena soon.

The main event could just be a throw-in match, though it is still possible the WWE will go with those plans and have Rusev get involved with Cena at the Rumble. Rusev is one of 10 men announced thus far for the 30-man Royal Rumble Match.

If Rusev doesn't cost Cena the match, the WWE may build a program between the other two in some other way.

Other things promoted for that MSG show include Kane vs. Daniel Bryan, Bray Wyatt vs. Roman Reigns, Cesaro vs. Dean Ambrose and an appearance by Chris Jericho.

Rusev vs. Cena is one of four rumored big matches for WrestleMania 31 as Lesnar vs. Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Triple H vs. Sting and Wyatt vs. The Undertaker, if the "Deadman" is healthy and opts to return. Bryan vs. Rollins has also been rumored.

WrestleMania 31 is still over two months away so things could change, but there is a strong possibility that Rusev will go head-to-head with Cena.

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