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WWE’s FastLane Match Card & Predictions

Fastlane is the last PPV on the road to WrestleMania, and is meant to play a huge part in setting up what we will see at WWE’s biggest event of the year. Being a fairly new PPV, it has seen its share of hiccups in the past, but with Triple H our reigning WWE World Heavyweight Champ, I expect to see a big improvement from last year. Let’s take a look at the match card and make some predictions.

Kickoff Show: US Title 2 Out Of 3 Falls Match – Kalisto (c) vs Alberto Del Rio

A two out of three falls match for the US title is exactly what we need to see. Del Rio has the obvious size advantage, plus the rest of the League Of Nations on his side. Kalisto has speed and agility in his corner, but is still the clear underdog in this fight. If Kalisto is to win this time, he is going to have to beat Del Rio twice, which will greatly work to prove that his victories weren’t flukes or strokes of luck.

WINNER: Kalisto

AJ Styles vs Chris Jericho

Styles was so well received into the WWE that the Royal Rumble match was rewritten at the last minute to keep him from being eliminated by another fan favorite. Styles was immediately thrown into competition with veteran, Chris Jericho, and their short feud has featured constant reminders that Styles is a “rookie” as far as the WWE is concerned. If the WWE is to have their way, us fans would forget that Styles ever had a career before January 2016. This will likely be the last match between these two men for a long while, and will prove whether or not Styles is cut out for the “big leagues” as they keep saying.

WINNER: AJ Styles

Divas Title Match – Charlotte (c) vs Brie Bella

I hate to say it, but I suspect that the only reason Brie is getting a title shot right now Is because Daniel Bryan retired and Creative is trying to use that to put her over and make Charlotte into the ultimate villain. She hasn’t been a part of the title scene and has shown no interest in the title until a few days ago. I’m disappointed in this decision, and even moreso in the decision to have Ric Flair present at Charlotte’s side for every step.

WINNER: Charlotte

Intercontinental Title Match – Kevin Owens (c) vs Dolph Ziggler

I was thrilled to see Owens win back the IC title. I love Dean Ambrose, but he obviously has other things on his plate, so losing the title actually works to help him right now. Owens and Ziggler are two of the best the WWE currently has, and Owens is the greatest, most well-rounded heel we’ve seen in a long time. This match will say a lot about what we will see at WrestleMania, so I’m curious to see whether or not we have other IC title hopefuls come out to the ring during the fight.

WINNER: Kevin Owens

Sasha Banks & Becky Lynch vs Naomi and Tamina

If we’re being honest, we all have to admit that Sasha Banks deserved the title shot tonight. She’s dominant, fearless, confident, and the crowd loves her. She can carry any match single handedly and has busted her ass to get where she is. I am glad to see her and Lynch teaming up, and I hope putting them against Naomi and Tamina puts this childish feud to rest. Having the divas fight like middle school girls isn’t doing them any favors.

WINNERS: Sasha Banks & Becky Lynch

The Wyatt Family vs Kane, Big Show & Ryback

This marks Big Show’s 85,674,275th heel/face turn, if my math is correct. This is basically giants versus giants for no other reason than it looks fantastic to see men pushing seven feet tall flying around the ring. Ryback has recently gotten a bit of a makeover, which unfortunately resulted in the Goldberg chants making a comeback. To be honest, I’m not sure what this match has to do with what is coming at WrestleMania, but I’m eager to find out.

WINNERS: The Wyatt Family

WWE World Heavyweight Title #1 Contender’s Match – Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns vs Dean Ambrose

Three fan favorites in one match. I know WWE wants us all to back Roman Reigns 110% and to back him over all others, but that isn’t reality. Ambrose and Lesnar are equally, if not more, popular than Cena 2.0 and have even more to gain with a victory tonight. Ambrose has been teasing a turn lately, so I definitely expect to see Reigns and Ambrose turn on each other and break up the brotherhood. Reigns would have more to gain as a heel, especially if he has a mouthpiece to help him out with his promos. Lesnar is obviously going to dominate this match, so the main focus will be about what happens with Reigns and Ambrose. The two definitely need to square off, and it would be a perfect WrestleMania match. Having them broken will make Rollins’ return even more interesting.

WINNER: Brock Lesnar