This Sunday, WWE will present the 2nd annual Fastlane event. Much like last year, the main event will feature no gold on the line, but will instead be a ferocious battle to determine who will face Triple H for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. Unlike most transitional shows, there’s quite a lot to look forward to. But what do we think will happen? Read on to find out!
Kickoff Show 2 Out of 3 Falls WWE U.S. Title Match: Kalisto (c) vs Alberto Del Rio
Jon: This is more like it! A pre-show match that’s well-built and has real stakes to it. Some see the pre-show match as an insult to the performers involved, I see it as a chance at real exposure and these two can deliver something really solid.
I think Kalisto has earned a decent length run, so I think he’ll sneak by 2-1 here. Call me naive, but WWe seem to have latched on to him as their Latin babyface. Pair that with him losing twice in the last week and everything points to a rebound.
Prediction: Kalisto
Steve: Okay, since I’ve lost every single month thus far to one Jon Potter, I’ve decided this time I’m going to walk on the wild side. That means unpopular decisions all around! I think the “easy pick” is to say Kalisto wins. A title change on a Kickoff Show? No chance. Besides, Kalisto just won the title again!
But hear me out: I just don’t see Kalisto going into Wrestlemania as United States Champion. Supposing he does, what would he do? Just the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal? This is no shot at Kalisto, I love the little guy, but I just don’t see WWE having him in a singles match at the big stage. Del Rio on the other hand very well could. I say Del Rio wins, possibly clean.
Prediction: Alberto Del Rio (New Champion)
Edge and Christian will interview WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day
Jon: This will be a lot of fun. Quite frankly, I’d rather that the tag team champions be given the chance to push their characters rather than force a title defence just for the sake of it. New day have been put in a position here to interact in a prolonged segment with one of the most charismatic teams in history. How can that be anything but a win?
I also think this segment will have WrestleMania implications. However, I see a potential debut taking place. The champions need fresh blood in their division and a certain New Yorker tag team have very little planned for NXT Dallas. I’m not certain this will happen, but I think there’s a strong likelihood.
Steve: I’m not sure how I feel about this. I am disappointed that The New Day aren’t in a match and the titles aren’t being defended. However, I think a lot of good comes out of this despite that one negative. And I do mean a lot of good!
First of all, this will be hugely entertaining. That is most important. All five guys are hilarious and excellent talkers, so this will be so much fun. Secondly, it will be an excellent plug for the Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness, which for the record, could be hilarious and I’m hoping it is. Obviously advertising another show is beneficial, especially for those who may only see this segment on a Youtube or traditional pay-per-view method.
Lastly, and this is a potentially controversial one, I think this will set up a Wrestlemania match. No, I don’t think it will be Edge and Christian wrestling, don’t ream me out in the comments quite yet. Instead, I think at Wrestlemania we may get a three team TLC match involving The Usos, New Day, and the recently turned Dudleys. If that is the case, what better way to start the idea of a big TLC match than with the masters of the TLC? Either way, this will be good.
Kane, Big Show and Ryback vs The Wyatt Family
Jon: If nothing else, the Internet Wrestling Community should rejoice that all the lumbering big men are collected into one match. Look, let’s not pretend this will be a technical classic. Two-thirds of this match is either well-past their prime or as green or unpolished as… rusty goose poop? Okay, that one got away from me. My point is, you can’t expect big things from this. I hope it manages to be brief and serve its purpose.
I think we all know what will happen here, the Wyatts will bulldoze through “the titans” on route to targeting a “Beast Incarnate”. I acknowledge the solid build for Bray’s family, but I’m not salivating over this means to an end.
Prediction: The Wyatt Family
Steve: I mean, sure. This is a match alright. I really have been enjoying Ryback. Him doing all these wacky moves including a weird sunset flip spot during his run in on RAW has been highly entertaining. But this won’t be good. I’m not saying this will be bad, but it won’t be good.
I’m not very interested, the booking hasn’t been very interesting, and I’m not really sure if this is just filler until Wrestlemania to make the Wyatt Family look strong or if this is something more. Supposing it is more, what is the game plan? Get a big fourth member for the Wrestlemania match? Does that mean Brock vs. Bray won’t end up happening? I’ve actually talked myself into being more interested in this match just because I’m curious as to if it means anything for Wrestlemania.
Prediction: The Wyatt Family
Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch vs. Tamina Snuka and Naomi
Jon: I appreciate this match. People have a valid complaint when they say feuds can be burned through very quickly in modern wrestling. This is why I’m happy with this. After the Royal Rumble, WWE could have very easily rushed Sasha into the title picture, potentially watering down some big matchups. Instead, we have a side feud that makes complete sense and will serve as a showcase for the NXT standouts. It’ll be inoffensive enough quality wise.
This is another easy one to pick. Sasha and Becky pick up the W here, before battling for a place on the biggest WrestleMania ever.
Prediction: Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch
Steve: Now this is something I am looking forward to. Sure, Tamina isn’t very good, but this is a Divas match with a lot of story going in! That is something I can always get behind. Sasha Banks is incredible and Becky Lynch is awesome in her own right and I suspect both will be in the Divas Championship match at the big event. So this is a fun story to keep Sasha and Becky busy and strong while Charlotte is in a feud of her own.
Plus, it is important to appreciate two Diva storylines going on at once with six talents that leads to two different Diva Championship matches. We’ve had this a few times in the past but for the most part one feud is pretty small or even relatively nonexistent, while I actually quite like how these ones have been portrayed. More on that later, though.
Prediction: Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch
Chris Jericho vs. AJ Styles
WWE Divas Title Match: Charlotte (c) vs. Brie Bella
Jon: WWE did the right thing. They gently used the emotion of Daniel Bryan’s retirement to give the rub to his wife, Brie. Sometimes, in-ring ability is overrated. All people really need is a hook. I’m going to pretend this is Shakespeare, but the Bella without the inflated chest is now a viable foil to the blossoming heel Charlotte. It just works.
I expect these two to put something decent together. Charlotte is coming into her own, while Brie is seasoned enough to not stink up the joint. Everything should be fine if WWE doesn’t give them an extended running time. No more than 10 minutes including entrances, please.
Charlotte will win here. This is just a worthy little road bump prior to the likely triple threat everyone (including me) is salivating over. I just hope Brie gets treated well prior to her own retirement.
Prediction: Charlotte
Steve: I really like this feud. I’m not a huge Charlotte fan, if anything I’m closer to a Charlotte detractor and I can’t wait until Sasha gets the belt. With that being said, I think she does a far better job as a heel than she does as a babyface. Plus being a heel means we get Ric Flair antics, which is always amusing.
And Brie Bella? Well, I know a lot of people hate the Bellas but I’ve always thought while Nikki works better as a heel, Brie works better as a baby. And yes, her relationship with Daniel Bryan helps tremendously but that isn’t a bad thing. People get mad she does the Yes! Kicks, but should Tamina not use half her moveset? Should Natalya not use a sharpshooter? Tyson Kidd?
Plus, I suspect this will either be Brie’s swan song or Wrestlemania will be. So I’m glad she’s getting a big match on her way out. Yes, Charlotte wins to build towards the Sasha/Becky three way, but with two Diva stories going at once that are both pretty interesting, I’ve got to say I’m very happy where the division is right now.
Prediction: Charlotte
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Kevin Owens (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler
Jon: This is one time where a match really has become played out. it’s a strange situation, really. I never expect anything less than stellar from this pairing. But when you get the same thing time after time with very little variance or narrative evolution, the amazing quickly becomes the benal. This couldn’t be anymore of a throwaway “workhorse” situation if it tried.
There’s no way Kevin Owens is losing a Championship one week after earning it, so Ziggler is a dead option here. Want another prediction for WrestleMania? Sami Zayn will debut soon, getting thrown into the multi-man deal I mentioned earlier, reigniting the fuse on the Owens/Zayn rivalry.
Prediction: Kevin Owens
Steve: I’m kind of conflicted here. Owens had an excellent match with Dean Ambrose at the last pay-per-view and I am very excited to see him be the Intercontinental Champion again. Especially if it means we get the Sami Zayn feud. Seriously, not to go off topic too much but can we please have Sami and Owens go at it at Wrestlemania for the IC title this year? God, that’d be fantastic.
Anyway, back on point, we’ve seen Ziggler and Owens wrestle tons of time on TV in the past six months. So.many.times. This is sure to be good, maybe better than good, but I can’t say I’m truly excited for it despite both talents being excellent. I’d also say there is very little chance Ziggler picks up a win here. Owens wins.
Prediction: Kevin Owens
Triple Threat #1 Contender’s Match: Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose
Jon: I’ve said it many times before and I’m not going to go shy now. I like Roman Reigns. Yes, he has a rocket on his back, but I’m 31, I’ve been watching this circus for 25 years and I’ve been bored by much worse. I don’t care that he’s the favourite. If he delivers again, I’ll be happy enough.
Ambrose has that damn it factor. Hey may be maligned as the forgotten Shield member, but I think WWE knows they have something special. That doesn’t mean he’s main eventing Mania, but I’m certain he”l get to shine here and have a WWE Championship reign on his resume by the end of the year.
Weirdly enough, Brock has felt like the third wheel in this whole build-up. We all know where Brock is headed after this and I see Wyatt-ference playing into the ending somehow. Likely an abduction similar to Undertaker at Hell in a Cell last year.
So, what does this all equate to? A potentially killer 3-way with the most obvious of winners. It’s time to truly establish the Roman Empire.
Prediction: Roman Reigns
Steve: The big match. This should be awesome. Love or hate Roman Reigns, he pretty much always delivers in big pay-per-view matches. The same can be said about both Brock and Ambrose as well. So this is likely going to be really good. I can’t wait for the match.
Of course, the big thing here is who wins the match? The obvious choice is Roman Reigns, of course. The Triple H feud has been built up and it is WWE’s thing to push Roman to the moon at all times. Brock Lesnar isn’t winning because there is no way they do Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H IV, especially at Wrestlemania in the main event. Then there is what I hope happens: Dean Ambrose wins.
Ambrose has had a bad hand. Not compared to most people. He’s main evented several pay-per-views and has had a few mid card title runs. But man, this guy is so talented. As a talker, as an in ring guy, he really does it all. He feels like a star, he acts like a star, and he is received as a star. The rocket should have been put on this guy a few times in the past, but what better time for this than at Wrestlemania? Plus, Dean Ambrose vs. Triple H could be absolutely killer. This would open up Roman/Lesnar II or Lesnar/Bray and Roman could either be slotted elsewhere or potentially a three way with Triple H and Ambrose. Regardless, I go with Ambrose getting the win and I sure hope he does.
Prediction: Dean Ambrose
Final Thoughts
Jon: There’s noting “bad” on this whole card. Yes, the 6-man is likely to be a lumbering hoss-fest and the two divas matches could be mediocre at worst, but everything else has the potential to either steal the show or be hilarious. Hell, the pre-show could steal the honours if given decent time and structured well. How often do I get to say that?! February pay-per-views usually barely even try. This feels different somehow. Colour me intrigued.
Steve: Yeah, this pay per view looks awesome. The only match that doesn’t interest me is the six man tag and honestly, thanks to it being Wrestlemania season even that intrigues me a little bit. The main event should be awesome. Styles and Jericho should be awesome. Then add in Kalisto’s match, Owen’s match, two interesting Divas matches, and what is sure to be a hilarious segment and yeah, this show looks great.
I made some wacky choices in the predictions this time, but hopefully it pays off and I can finally beat that dastardly Jon Potter.
Be sure to check back here Monday following the event as we will have a review of the big show. As always, stick to the WWE Network Chronicle for the latest WWE Network news, rumors, reviews, and more.