Fastlane Match Card and Predictions

By Matthew Klink (@klinkmatt on Twitter)

3/11/2018

Ah yes! WWE Fastlane. Similar to the pit stop we make on a long road trip to use the restroom or buy another charger before your phone dies, Fastlane has made itself the begrudgingly, necessary last step to knowing our WrestleMania main events. Leading into this big night, the WWE has given us a couple matches with little to no meaning once the ref calls for the bell. The rest will at least give us, at the very least, titleholders.

I know I’m not hoping for any surprises tonight. There is too much at stake for my desired WrestleMania card and I don’t want to have that stomach turning feeling again that I got from Roman pinning Strowman (I won’t bore you all again with my complaining. Its right here). I need me some AJ and Nakamura…especially since I’ll be watching that smoking turd of match between Brock and Roman (I swear…I’m done whining). Cause if the WWE really thinks we don’t deserve a main event match with two of the best superstars in the business, AJ and Shinsuke, then I will truly never be able to trust this business. I MEAN, COME ON! I HAVE TO WATCH FREAKING ROMAN REIGNS FOR THE FOURTH STRAIGHT YEAR!!!!

First things first:

Rusev vs Shinsuke Nakamura

This is a non-title match and should be an opportunity to build Nakamura going into his title match. I can’t imagine a world where Rusev wins this match, but I will add to that thought…I wouldn’t mind if Rusev won.

I see it like this: Nakamura has his match regardless and Rusev is the one without a WrestleMania match. Now, we all love Rusev and his new “Rusev Day” addition to the character, so why would it hurt to have him go over on Shinsuke (the eventual WWE Champ in my opinion) only to set up a feud some time over the summer. We can’t always get what we want (as Rusev fans, apparently we have to be very patient), but I’m thinking there’s a small possibility of a slow burning build to summer time feud.

All that being said…the more likely scenario is that the playful doof, Rusev, is heading to Fastlane to help boost Shinsuke.

Winner: Nakamura

Becky Lynch & Naomi vs Natalya & Carmella

This is another match where I am okay with either outcome. As Carmella needs to build some sort of attribute that shows she can hold the Smackdown Women’s title, a victory here (of the sneaky heel type) would do wonders. And…it has to be Carmella to get the pin. Whatever Natalya does will be erased within a week anyways as she transitions back to a face.

And again, a victory for Becky and Naomi would be fun. These are two great in-ring performers with a lot of wit and charisma. I can see them winning to help their win loss record heading into a WrestleMania match, but I don’t see much else from that perspective. Becky can still be placed in the main event at any time and she’ll be believable. I’m not saying I see that in her near future, but more or less evidence to her lack of ‘need’ for a victory.

Don’t be surprised if this one ends in some shenanigans. Carmella doesn’t play well with others and could get in a fight with Natalya to setup a large tag match at Mania. And we can’t forget that one of these ladies might be needed for a title match in April.

Winner: Natalya & Carmella

Bobby Roode vs Randy Orton (US Championship)

So…I really should care more about this match. Randy Orton is finally out of the main event picture (which he proved last year, he can’t make relevant, even with a unique opponent and storyline). It’s what I’ve been hoping for as Orton has definitely grown a little stale for me. Even with that, I still don’t want to see him with the US title. I think whoever is holding the title, come Mania, they’ll have to defend it against multiple adversaries and they will probably lose (handing off the title in an attempt to build someone else).

I’m basically saying that this match doesn’t feel like it matters and I don’t think Randy or Bobby have been particularly good or passionate during the buildup. I see that as reason enough for the title not to change hands, but this match will be more about making one of these guys the clear cut heel. That will be Bobby Roode. Bobby is better with the title anyways and a victory over Orton (a something whatever teen time champion) is something Roode can use to build up his new full heel character.

Winner: Bobby Roode

The Usos vs The New Day (SmackDown Live Tag Team Championships)

I…can’t…wait! As much as a Six Man title match should be easy to plan and fun to watch, these two tag teams will steal the show (and they’ll be stealing it from Ziggler no less!!!!) I reckon the New Day will be walking into WrestleMania with those shiny belts on their shoulders. I think we’re destined for these two teams to continue feuding and I see no reason why they shouldn’t be given an opportunity to be this generation’s Dudley Boys, Hardy Boyz, and Edge and Christian.

If the New Day wins, they’ll be able to hit up all of the talk shows during this road to WrestleMania with some gold to show off. This will also mean they have an immediate opponent for WrestleMania…that will make sense for the sport of wrestling: the former champs and their contractual rematch clause. Only the rematch won’t be Tag vs Tag…it’ll be…well, I’ll save that for later. This blog is about Fastlane.

The New Day winning makes too much sense and if Roman Reigns can be forced down our throats for 4 straight years, then give the New Day the spotlight back and allow them to share it with the Usos (in April).

Winner: The New Day

Charlotte Flair Vs Ruby Riott (SmackDown Live Women’s Championship)

Ask me two months ago and I’d be telling you Rousey vs Flair for the title at WrestleMania. Now that I have to admit I was wrong for once, I still can’t see anyone besides Flair walking into WrestleMania with the title. However, I’d be fine learning how to love Ruby Riott.

The real possibilities for this title are endless, as Flair and Riott, I’m sure, would create a wonderful feud. But there’s also Becky and Naomi who are without a bout for Mania. There’s also the most recent consensus of a 1-on-1 match for the Raw title, so maybe the SmackDown title match features multiple superstars.  And then the Raw title match only appears to be Alexa Bliss and Asuka, however Charlotte led on to facing Asuka herself when being interviewed by Hollywood life, going as far to give predictions on how the match should be booked.

All of the fantasy booking options make this a tough cookie to crack, but then I also might be over-thinking it. Flair has the star power and there are plenty of ladies on the roster who also deserve a chance in the spotlight. I’ll stop racking my brain.

Winner: Charlotte Flair

AJ Styles vs John Cena vs Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn vs Baron Corbin vs Dolph Ziggler

If this isn’t AJ…so help me. I’m even shaking my head now just thinking about it.

The best information we have tells us that Cena is busy for WrestleMania, even though his story says otherwise. Cena vs Mysterio or Cena vs Taker is fine by me. Then there’s the news about Ziggler facing Shane McMahon at Mania. The story would blend reality with story lines and that’s when the WWE’s writing staff does their best work (because its already been written). I’ll be the first to say that I’d like to see Ziggler in the main event (but like…not in a 6-man title match). The Mania spotlight and beating up a McMahon might not guarantee a movement of the needle, but it’s worth a shot.

Corbin ain’t winning.

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn remain and we know how easy it would be to write this feud. Kevin goes for the pin and Sami interferes. KO goes nuts and takes out Sami resulting in weeks of name calling, backstage attacks, and fisticuffs building up to their ultimate battle…at WrestleMania! See…easy. But I still feel like the WWE could push out their final battle to SummerSlam. If they were really gutsy, they’d push it to 2019. The only problem with that idea is that there would be nothing left for them to do except…challenge for the title…

I proposed this fear of mine on the podcast on numerous occasions. I don’t want it…at all. However, I still feel the writers and Vince McMahon don’t see the star power (beyond the wrestling community) in AJ and Nakamura and their ability to bring in an audience. I will not be shocked if my dream match of Nakamura and AJ is taken away from me, come April.

That muddies the waters a bit on who would win tonight. That could still be an AJ Styles victory. Maybe Daniel Bryan gives KO and Sami once last chance at WrestleMania (which could actually stoke the flames for a Shane and Bryan feud again) and they get in that way. There’s also the two of them working together and gaining victory through a double pin. Both are a little farfetched, but I feel if I prepare myself for this silliness now…it’ll hurt less later.

Still…maybe this whole thing was a way to make it look impossible for AJ and this 6-man match has less to do with AJ and more to do with the other five guys in the match.

Winner (please): AJ Styles

There you have it! Fastlane will be in the books tonight and we’ll hopefully get more than one match added to our WrestleMania cards by the end of it! Enjoy the show!