The final pay-per-view before WrestleMania takes place this Sunday as the Monday Night Raw brand presents WWE Fastlane.
After the successful Elimination Chamber show from SmackDown Live, many are hoping that Fastlane could match that show. With Fastlane, there are many questions that must be answered as the outcomes of Sunday’s matches will have WrestleMania implications. Add in a main event that I am disgusted about, there are many things to discuss about WWE Fastlane, so let’s get started:
Sami Zayn vs. Samoa Joe
Joe has made a major impact (no pun intended) since coming to Raw a few weeks ago. Samoa Joe has always looked like a star and he has cemented himself as a force to be reckoned with in the WWE. Joe’s match with Zayn on Sunday will be a showcase of not only how good he is, but the continued destruction that comes with having Samoa Joe on the Raw roster.
At this point, there are many different directions the WWE can with Joe heading into WrestleMania. We won’t know where the company wants to go with him but there is no doubt that he must be on the show. He is a star in the making for the WWE and the momentum must continue.
Your winner, Samoa Joe
Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax
Can we just have the Sasha Banks heel turn already? Banks is so much better as a heel and the baby face Boss character has run its course. This match will be one of the last with Banks playing the good girl and against a monster like Nia Jax, it’s coming not a minute too soon.
Jax has improved steadily since debuting on the main roster. Since her string of squash matches against unknown opponents, the WWE has done a good job of integrating her into the Women’s main event scene. She adds a different dimension to the division as the sheer size of Jax makes many think about Awesome Kong in TNA. Jax will win this match as Banks begins her descent into anger and, eventually, mean girl status.
Your winner, Nia Jax
Bayley (champion) vs. Charlotte for the Raw Women’s Championship
Why should I even write a prediction for this match? Charlotte has yet to lose on a pay-per-view event and every time she loses her title on TV, she wins it right back at the PPV. I’m sure the result is already known here.
Your winner and new Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte
Gallows and Anderson (champions) vs. Enzo and Big Cass for the Raw Tag Team Championship
Gallows and Anderson finally won the tag titles from Sheamus and Cesaro, but they still don’t fit in the world of the WWE. When they were in New Japan, Gallows and Anderson worked in that promotion because of the style they wrestle and the fact that they just worked. The WWE wants you to come in, talk, and act like doctors, instead of just working and putting on good matches. Even with the belts, they are not connecting.
In regards to Enzo and Cass, this is their last shot to win a match together. If they fail in this attempt to win the titles, they should just break up. Enzo lost every match he’s in and Cass has size and nothing else. Their shtick is still popular, but giving them the tag team titles adds a little more to their characters. The WWE brass loves Cass, but don’t see anything in Enzo so someone in that writing room needs to be the voice of reason and get these guys the belts on Sunday. Sadly, it doesn’t look like that will happen.
Your winners and still Raw Tag Team Champions, Gallows and Anderson
Neville (champion) vs. Jack Gallagher for the Cruiserweight Championship
Gallagher is a breath of fresh air in a Cruiserweight division that is still having growing pains. 205 Live was a concept that made no sense and Monday Night Raw just uses the division as an added attraction instead of a legitimate part of the show. Still, Gallagher, with his odd in-ring style and amazing character, has fans caring about the division.
The evolution of Neville has been amazing to see as well, as he has taken the “King of the Cruiserweight” moniker to heart. His new aggressive style and the sinister way he takes out opponents was something that his character needed after a successful run in NXT. I see Neville holding onto the title to keep his momentum moving but I see Gallagher eventually getting his hands on the Cruiserweight title sooner than later.
Your winner and still Cruiserweight champion, Neville
Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman
I’m so tired of Roman Reigns. And it’s not just me not liking Reigns for the sake of not liking Reigns, but I feel like he’s peaked in his current character. Why hasn’t Reigns turned heel yet? Why are we still seeing Reigns in the same position John Cena was in last year when he was beginning to doubt himself? There’s nothing exciting about Reigns…except he’s taking on a monster at Fastlane.
Strowman, like Nia Jax, has moved through the ranks at a steady pace to the point of having a big match against Reigns. Strowman is a monster in the ring and has good mic skills as well, which is an added plus when it comes to his value on the roster. This match is a toss-up as both men need wins heading into the final stretch to WrestleMania. Add in the fact that both men are possible opponents for The Undertaker and you have an interesting outcome no matter the direction they go in this match
Your winner, Braun Strowman
Kevin Owens (champion) vs. Goldberg for the Universal Championship
This is a match that I’m vehemently opposed to. Bill Goldberg, the 50-year man who gets winded and sweaty from just walking to the ring, is set to challenge Universal Champion Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship from literally out of nowhere. Owens has been in the middle of a terrible title reign, which saw him not being pushed as a major champion. Now here comes Goldberg, in all his old man glory, to challenge him for the title.
The thinking behind this match is that reportedly Vince McMahon wants to make the Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar match at WrestleMania bigger. Of course, the only way to make the match bigger is to add a title to it and this is where Kevin Owens gets screwed on Sunday. Owens will take the pin at Fastlane, which will set up Lesnar/Goldberg for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania in Orlando.
YAY.
The only hope for Sunday is that Lesnar interjects himself into the match and cost Goldberg the title. If they keep Lesnar out of it, we will have a new champion and Owens will never come close to a major title again in his career.
Your winner and new universal Champion, Goldberg
What are your thoughts about WWE Fastlane? Let us know in our comment section.
