This weekend will see WWE's final pay-per-view before this year's WrestleMania event, as Fastlane hits screens across the globe. Some huge matches are scheduled with massive implications for the upcoming battles on the 'grandest stage of them all', so we've decided to take a look at what's happening, and make some big predictions.
Match card
- New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods) vs. Rusev & Shinsuke Nakamura (Kickoff Show)
- Rey Mysterio vs. Andrade (Kickoff Show)
- The Revival (champions) vs. Aleister Black & Ricochet vs. Bobby Roode & Chad Gable for the Raw Tag Team Championships
- Boss 'N Hug Connection (champions) vs. Nia Jax & Tamina for the Women's Tag Team Championships
- The Usos (champions) vs. The Miz & Shane McMahon for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships
- Asuka (champion) vs. Mandy Rose for the SmackDown Women's Championship
- The Shield vs. Drew McIntyre, Baron Corbin & Bobby Lashley
- Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair (if Becky wins, she joins the Raw Women's Championship match at WrestleMania
- Daniel Bryan (champion) vs. Kevin Owens for the WWE Championship
Predictions
Becky to go over and join the Raw Women's Championship match at WrestleMania
For some reason, WWE creatives seem to have forgotten that Becky Lynch is entitled to challenge for a championship of her choosing at WrestleMania after winning this year's Royal Rumble event. Though writers have had to jump through some very small hoops to ensure their storyline makes some sort of sense here, they've managed to maintain the heat surrounding the rivalry between Becky and current Raw Women's Champion, Ronda Rousey for some time.
Not many people want Charlotte Flair to be a part of the Raw Women's Championship match at WrestleMania at all, but her talent is undeniable. Becky losing here and missing out on her chance to headline WrestleMania would be a major misstep from WWE. We just can't see that happening, so unless some other shenanigans are going to be pulled, Becky has to pick up the win here.
Asuka to retain her SmackDown Women's Championship
Mandy Rose is an incredible talent. At Elimination Chamber earlier this year, she was one of the shining stars in a bloated match. Her quick rise to the ranks of a fan-favourite has now seen her earn a title shot against Asuka, but we don't think the Empress of Tomorrow will be missing out on adding another win to her belt before her WrestleMania moment. Asuka needs a big win at the event this year, following her first loss as part of the WWE roster at last year's WrestleMania against none other than Charlotte Flair.
No tag team championships to change hands
The tag divisions are incredibly strong right now, and whilst we'd love to see Aleister Black and Ricochet picking up gold quickly after their joining the main WWE roster, we think they'd be stronger as solo competitors. The Revival deserve a much longer reign than they currently have, though their recent remarks on social media when it comes to editing on WWE shows could see them punished...
Shane McMahon and The Miz may have an interesting relationship right now, but we think they'll probably be losing and setting up a quick rivalry, turning Shane into the heel and allowing Miz to shine as a babyface at WrestleMania. Shane O'Mac needs a match for this year's event, and we can't see him going anywhere else.
When it comes to the women's tag division, Sasha Banks and Bayley have worked far too hard to get to this point and lose their titles at their first pay-per-view defence. It's just not going to happen.
The Shield to enjoy a big win
There's no way Roman Reigns would make his return to WWE after battling cancer, only to lose at his first pay-per-view performance. Baron Corbin, Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley have been getting away with their lying and cheating in WWE for too long; there's no way writers will allow the opportunity for The Shield to teach them a lesson to pass by.
Daniel Bryan to retain the WWE Championship
Kofi Kingston is headlining WrestleMania with Daniel Bryan, right? This match must simply be a placeholder, because Kofi is more over with the audience than he has ever been. He's the hottest male Superstar on the roster right now, second only in the company to Becky Lynch. Seeing him take down Daniel at WrestleMania will be the pinnacle of his career.
The WWE Network Fastlane Kickoff will be available at 10pm, and the main show will be available to watch on the WWE Network and Sky Sports Box Office from 11pm, on Sunday evening (March 10, 2019).
Tagged in WWE