The time has come once again where I stock up on energy drinks ready for midnight and the next WWE pay-per-view. Fast Lane aka No Way Out aka Elimination Chamber aka the annual PPV that splits the Rumble and Mania is fast approaching (no pun intended) and here I am to break down the matches and give my predictions and opinions.
Pre-show: Kalisto vs Alberto Del Rio (United States Championship) (2 out of 3 Falls)
The pre-show is often where the lower midcarders get there time to ….. shine? Either way the midcard match is rarely an important affair. However, this year the United States title is being defended. On the pre-show. Really. Once again WWE booking has baffled me and by placing two of the company’s most consistent workers in a match that may have possibly have been the best match of the night. I hope Kalisto retains the title, only because he has alot of potential, is a solid worker and Del Rio simply doesn’t scream ‘Wow’ as a champion heading into Mania. Kalisto to win this one with 2 falls to 0.
Winner and STILL United States Champion: Kalisto
Main Show
Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks vs Team BAD (Naomi and Tamina)
The Divas revolution has gone over my head really. Charlotte, Sasha and Becky arrived on the scene and they were supposed to be the next big thing, propelling the Divas division to new heights, although the spotlight has been stolen by Charlotte’s Dad and the Bellas. This is a throwaway, and Sasha and Becky will dominate, Naomi may hit a few nice moves before Tamina taps out to a Banks Statement.
Winners: Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch
Kevin Owens vs Dolph Ziggler (Intercontinental Championship)
It came as a surprise to me when on RAW Dean Ambrose lost the title to Kevin Owens. I expected Ambrose to have double duty at Fast Lane, selling injuries from the IC match in the WHC match. However, Owens won and was challenged by fellow competitor and weekly rival, Dolph Ziggler. Now, I simply cannot get invested in Ziggler. I appreciate that this match will be a good one, a classic match with many momentum switches and near falls. It just doesn’t interest me. Unless Ziggler wins, which I don’t think he will, then this match is just going to fill time, setting up maybe a multi man match at Mania. Owens with the win after a Fame Asser reversed into the Pop Up Powerbomb.
Winner and STILL IC Champion: Kevin Owens
Ryback, Big Show and Kane vs The Wyatt Family (Erick Rowan, Luke Harper and Braun Strowman) w/ Bray Wyatt
The ‘Titans’ have re-emerged after being taken out each week by the Wyatt’s to challenge them at Fast Lane. This match is just a way of building this Wyatt’s up to be beasts, to set up the Mania match with Lesnar. Strowman especially will shine, destroying both Big Show and Kane before Ryback tries to slow him down, only to eat a boot and clothesline by Harper, slam by Rowan and that is it. Bray will enter after and ramble on about destruction before hitting a Sister Abigail on Kane and then maybe Strowman can choke out Show. Either way, don’t expect to see the Titans show their ‘wrath’ anytime soon.
Winners: The Wyatt Family w/ Bray Wyatt
Charlotte w/ Ric Flair vs Brie Bella (Divas Championship)
The second Divas match of the night features Flair Jr against Lady Bryan. It’s a shame that this match will be overshadowed by Ric’s antics and constant mentioning of Daniel Bryan’s career and retirement. Charlotte to win, destroying Brie and leaving her in a heap, shoving Ric out of the way and storming to the back. Brie to take some much needed time off before leaving the company to stay with her hubby.
Winner and STILL Divas Champion: Charlotte
We also have a segment between Edge and Christian hosting a Cutting Edge Peep Show with the New Day. The only outcome I can see is the debut of Enzo and Cass. Called it
AJ Styles vs Chris Jericho
The match that personally I am most looking forward to, and what I expect to steal the show. Styles has been fairly tame since wrestling with the WWE, however this feud with Jericho featuring the Miz has been really entertaining and interesting. Jericho seems to be slowly but surely turning heel and I’m awaiting the suits to return along with the slow promos, and a win for Styles before a blindsided attack from Jericho would set this up for Raw. This would be a brilliant technical affair and could be match of the year if booked correctly. I’m very excited for this one! Codebreaker reversed into the Styles Clash for the win.
Winner: AJ Styles
Main Event: Roman Reigns vs Dean Ambrose vs Brock Lesnar
The main event of the evening to decide who will face Triple H in the main event at Wrestlemania. Reigns and Ambrose have been teasing a split up lately whilst Lesnar has, as usual been dominant and destructive. It’s strange however that Lesnar has seemed to forget about the Wyatt Family, who attacked him and eliminating him from the Rumble. I believe that the Wyatts will interfere in this match and attempt to take down one last ‘Titan’ of the WWE in Lesnar, setting up a match at Mania between Bray/Brock. This leaves Dean and Roman, the brothers left to battle it out. Reigns has always been the top dog compared to Ambrose which leads me to believe that Ambrose will win, setting up the long, long awaited Roman Reigns heel turn. Ambrose winning before being decimated after a handshake with Reigns sets up a major feud and eventual triple threat match at Mania for the title. This is probably the toughest match to call a winner, as we know how much WWE want Reigns to be the ‘man’. Ambrose with the Dirty Deeds to a monster pop and the win.
Winner: Dean Ambrose
Well, there you have my predictions for WWE Fast Lane. What else do you lot think will happen? Will we find out The Undertaker’s mystery Mania opponent? Will Triple H be at any point involved? Who knows. We’ll find out tomorrow night!
Thanks for reading!
