Tonight is the final stop on the Road to WrestleMania, and the WWE has thrown everything at the event to try and gain as much interest as possible. Several matches will have implications on the final card for the grandest stage of them all, and fans will finally start to get an idea of what matches they are likely to see at this years blockbuster event. Most importantly, who will be joining Triple H in the main event.
Pre Show: United States Championship 2 Out Of 3 Falls Match -Kalisto (c) - Alberto Del Rio
The kick-off show for Fast Lane shows how much focus the WWE has placed on this event, as it features two very talented wrestlers who are capable of putting on an excellent match, and given the stipulation it has the potential to be a very good way to start the show.
Both men have been feuding over the championship for quite some time now, and each have picked up victories in championship matches against each other. Now they will do battle once again, in what will likely determine who walks into WrestleMania as United States Champion.
Brendan Kennelly: This is a match that could either way with Kalisto using his pace to counteract the brutality of the former champion Alberto Del Rio.This time last year WWE had placed a lot of emphasis on the US Championship and in most peoples eye's that gave the US title credibility. Due to how many times they have traded victories, you can expect the unexpected with this match.
Prediction - Kalisto
Matthew Wilkinson: It is interesting to see this match again, after it seemed like the feud was finished at the Royal Rumble, but the fact they are doing another match seems to indicate they had no other plans for Kalisto. However, this is his first run as a singles champion in the company, and him being champion for WrestleMania could lead to some form of ladder match for the title. Both men will no doubt gain a pin fall each, otherwise it makes the other look incredibly weak, but it seems like a strange place for a title change, plus WWE loves to have a baby face win to start the show.
Prediction- Kalisto
Intercontinental Championship Match- Kevin Owens (c) - Dolph Ziggler
Fans have seen this match what seems like thousands of times up to this point (and Kevin Owens hasn't even been on the main roster a year), but it is going to happen again, this time over the Intercontinental Championship, which Owens randomly regained on RAW this past week.
Having Dolph Ziggler as the number one contender is logical, he has picked up several victories over the champion as of late, and Owens needs someone to face in order to re-establish himself as a champion once again. They both know each other very well inside the ring, so it should be a fun match, but nothing that fans haven't already seen before.
BK: When he lost the Intercontinental Championship to Dean Ambrose two months ago, Owens has been hell-bent on regaining the title he sees as his and after a two-month absence Owens is back in the gold. Ziggler demanded his shot at the title, but was met with, "Talk Owens Talk" rather than a match, but now's his chance to become a champion once again. However, the simple fact is, Owens is a much bigger star and many expect him to hold onto the title until after WrestleMania.
Prediction: Kevin Owens
MW: Despite the fact that Ziggler has gained a few surprising victories over Owens on RAW, there is only one man that should be walking into the biggest stage as champion, and that's the man that already holds the belt. It seems as though Ziggler's days of being a serious threat are withering, and he is now being used to put over talent and provide quality matches. Even though both guys involved are great, hopefully this is the last time fans are made to see them lock up, at least for awhile.
Prediction: Kevin Owens
Becky Lynch & Sasha Banks - Team B.A.D (Naomi & Tamina)
The ladies will be taking part in a tag team match at Fast Lane tonight, in what is the story of Sasha Banks' face turn. She has left Team BAD, and they now want revenge, whilst the Boss's old NXT friend, Becky Lynch is helping her out. It's a very simple story that is being told, but it is has been effective, and will be crucial in the build towards WrestleMania, particularly for the two former NXT talents, who will both be hoping to feature.
It hasn't all been plain sailing for the two baby face's though, both Lynch and Banks are hunting for championship glory, which makes them rivals (something they have been throughout their careers). They must put differences aside to deal with their opponents, who will be on the same page, working together.
BK: The two former NXT divas have at times looked very disjointed, as it looks as though they cannot put their differences aside against the well-oiled team of Naomi and Tamina. But the Lynch and Banks are two divas the company are hoping to push, which makes them hard to bet against.
Prediction- Becky Lynch & Sasha Banks
MW: It's great to see more than one divas match on a special event card for a change, and seeing these women used in a feud that isn't for the title is excellent, something that this 'revolution' has been sorely missing. Turning Banks face seems like a decision firmly geared towards 'Mania, where she is likely going to meet the current champion, Charlotte, therefore it makes little sense to stop her momentum here.
Prediction- Becky Lynch & Sasha Banks
Six Man Tag Team Match- The Wyatt Family - Big Show, Kane and Ryback
Following the Rumble, Bray Wyatt and his psychotic family have been on a rampage, tearing down everyone in their way. The disturbed family have decided to target some of the WWE's biggest and most powerful superstars in a bid to make a statement and showcase their dominance.
With members of the Wyatt Family gaining singles victories over all three men following the Rumble, as well as major beat downs, they are certainly heading into the match with momentum, but on the go-home edition of RAW the three fan favorites certainly proved they are forces to be reckoned with, and whilst this match may not be a wrestling classic, it should be very physical.
BK: The X Factor that many believe (this author included) can win the match for the Wyatt Family is 'The Black Sheep' Braun Strowman, and with several rumors stating that him and Bray Wyatt are going to be involved in major matches at this years WrestleMania, there's only one result that makes sense.
Prediction- The Wyatt Family
MW: The Wyatt's have been booked strong and scary as they are at the outset of every feud it seems, however unlike all their other feuds (ending in defeat) there's only one outcome here, and that's the dominant Wyatt Family walking away with a victory. Both Kane and Big Show are coming to the end of their careers and don't need a win, and as long as Ryback doesn't take the fall, it wont hurt him either. A throwaway feud, and what is likely to be a forgettable match.
Prediction- The Wyatt Family
Divas Championship Match- Charlotte (c) with.Ric Flair vs Brie Bella
What an emotional month it has been for Brie Bella. After being granted a championship match against Charlotte, following a surprise victory of the champion, she has since had to watch her sister go through neck surgery and her husband retire, but tonight she gets the chance to have another moment at the top of the divas division.
With rumors that the challenger is set to leave the WWE soon to start a family with Daniel Bryan, this could be her last chance to become the Divas Champion, but for Charlotte, she will certainly be hoping to walk into WrestleMania with the belt. Charlotte has become very comfortable in her role as a heel, especially with Ric Flair by her side, but with some small tension being teased between them, he may prove to be a hindrance.
BK: This has the potential to be a great match and a lot of fans will hope that Brie gets the send-off that she deserves. However it is hard to look past Charlotte and with 'The dirtiest player in the game' in her corner it could be tough for the challenger.
Prediction- Charlotte
MW: Brie seems to be in this spot simply to give Charlotte something to do until she feuds with Sasha Banks at WrestleMania, but with Bryan retiring, and rumors that she is leaving this match has become more intriguing. WWE could look to capitalize on the current hot topic of Bryan, and give the Bella twin one final run as champion, but they will more likely focus on the money match for 'Mania, which require Charlotte as champion.
Prediction- Charlotte
AJ Styles - Chris Jericho
AJ Styles’ WWE singles career began with a match against veteran, Chris Jericho on RAW, who has continued to be a fan favorite since returning to the company, but Jericho hasn't taken kindly to the arrival of Styles, and a competitive rivalry has blossomed.
Jericho has seemingly been obsessed with the former TNA superstar, watching his every move and acting more and more like a heel with each passing show. Y2J has managed to get a victory over the WWE's newest wrestler, meaning they head into Fast Lane with a victory each. Which means this rivalry is likely to end here, but the question is, who is the better man?
BK: This author can see The Miz getting involved in this match in some way shape or form, but at the end of the day there can only be one winner and that's WWE's newest and most 'Phenomenal' superstar.
Prediction- AJ Styles
MW: This has been a very fun rivalry between two of the best wrestlers in the world. Using Jericho to teach Styles the WWE way of doing things makes sense from a company standpoint, but it has also been a treat for the fans. Jericho is very slowly turning heel, so expect to see him wrestle that way at Fast Lane. When it comes to the winner, it's a tough one to predict, as both men are major stars, but Styles has so much momentum it would be a waste to slow it down here.
Prediction- AJ Styles
Main Event: Number One Contender's Match- Roman Reigns - Dean Ambrose - Brock Lesnar
Who will face Triple H for the WWE Heavyweight Championship? Who gets to headline WrestleMania? Will the brothers turn on each other? Can Brock Lesnar be stopped? There are so many questions heading into this main event, that it is a truly intriguing match, that should be very entertaining.
All three men are worthy of winning this one (despite what Reigns' haters may think) and it's incredibly be difficult to call, especially since the underdog, Dean Ambrose, has been booked very strong since the Royal Rumble heading into this one, and it's Ambrose that really is the wild card here.
Most fans had expected Roman Reigns to simply walk into 'Mania for the seemingly obvious match with the boss, but when Lesnar was added to the mix, people straight away began to question that. Then Ambrose lost his Intercontinental title, which has left the WWE Universe puzzled as to whether the company are going to give one of the most popular stars his time to shine.
Reigns and Ambrose have been together ever since their days in the Shield, and have always had each others back, but there seems to have been a breakdown in their relationship since this match was announced, and that is likely to play a factor, despite the fact that they will want to work together to deal with the Beast.
BK: The One man in this match that everyone seems to be overlooking is Brock Lesnar, but the general con-census is that Lesnar will be taken out by the Wyatt Family so that will lead to Brock v Bray Wyatt at 'Mania. When it comes down to the brothers, this author can only see one man getting his arm raised at the end of the night.
Prediction- Roman Reigns
MW: This should be a very fun match, with three different styles which will all compliment each other as they are physical. It's likely that Lesnar is going to be taken out by the Wyatt's as they are set to feud, and it keeps Lesnar protected. Even though Ambrose did drop his belt, this author doesn't believe WWE is willing to gamble on him for the main event of the biggest show of the year, and this year is going to be the one Reigns finally wins the big one, at the big one, and that journey continues at Fast Lane.
Prediction- Roman Reigns
Two different writers both with the same predictions would point to this being a predictable show, but Fast Lane has the potential to throw up plenty of surprises, and the card is strong in terms of both storylines and wrestling abilities, which should make for a good event.
