The superstars of SmackDown Live are gearing up for WWE Fastlane on the road to WrestleMania. WWE Champion AJ Styles will have all the odds stacked against him at Fastlane as he defends his title in a Fatal 5-way match involving four of the blue brand’s best competitors. Styles doesn’t even have to be pinned or submitted to lose his championship. Good thing he’s “phenomenal,” right?
“The Queen” Charlotte Flair will also have a hefty challenge on her hands going into Fastlane. At the event, she’s scheduled to battle Ruby Riott with the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship on the line. This task wouldn’t be so difficult for “The Queen” if it wasn’t for The Riott Squad’s Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan backing up their girl Ruby at ringside.
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos will also be put to the test as they’re set to battle ya boys, The New Day, with all the gold on the line.
Who will walk away victorious at Fastlane? Look below into my WWE crystal ball and you may see into the wrestling future….
WWE Fastlane 2018 Viewing Details
Date: Sunday, March 11, 2018
Time (kick-off show): 7:00 P.M. EST
Time (main show): 8:00 P.M. EST
TV Channel: WWE Network / Pay-Per-View
Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship match: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Ruby Riott
DOZYBE GAMER/YouTube/WWE
Is it time to see Ruby Riott shine? Or will “The Queen” reign supreme in the Nationwide Arena? Riott is certainly rising through the ranks, ripping through the blue brand with her followers in The Riott Squad. But Charlotte is an absolute beast when it comes to the squared circle and will take a lot of woman power to bring her down.
But if Riott wins at Fastlane where does she go from there? And isn’t it a little too early to throw the belt on Ruby? She’s only been on the roster for about three months, so has she earned the right to be WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion just yet?
WWE needs a recognizable face going into WrestleMania as champion. But at the same time, WWE needs to shake things up a bit. Therefore, my prediction is that Charlotte Flair will go over Ruby Riott only for Carmella to come out and cash in her Money In The Bank briefcase.
Charlotte Flair defeats Ruby Riott to retain her WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship. Then Carmella comes out, cashes in her MITB contract and defeats Charlotte to become the new champion.
WWE United States Championship match: Bobby Roode (c) vs. Randy Orton
WWE.com
Can “The Viper” Randy Orton conquer “The Glorious” Bobby Roode at Fastlane? Or will Roode behead the snake and retain his WWE United States Championship?
Roode has been on a hot streak ever since he arrived on SmackDown this summer. His entrance and “Glorious” gimmick is over as hell with the fans. But does he have what it takes to topple a 13-time world champion? My answer: not yet.
Randy Orton has never won the WWE U.S. Championship, so this win will officially check off that championship on Orton’s long list of titles and accomplishments.
Something else for you to consider: we’re right around the corner from WrestleMania 34. Therefore, it’d be in WWE’s best interest to have the most recognizable and marketable talent represent the company as champions on “the grandest stage of them all.”
However, if Jinder Mahal is thrown into this match, my prediction may change. But for now…
Randy Orton defeats Bobby Roode to become the new WWE United States Champion
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship match: The Usos (c) vs. The New Day
WWE.com
Speaking of recognizable faces, The New Day is the first tag team that comes to mind when it involves WWE’s New Era. They’re funny, energetic, and can work the crowd like certified main eventers. The only problem is…they’re going to be in The Usos Penitentiary at Fastlane. That’s right, Jimmy and Jey Uso are looking to lock down ya boys!
The New Day is the most noticeable on the mic, but The Usos are the most improved both on the mic and in the ring. They bring an energy and attitude that can’t be denied. While The New Day have been feeding children pancakes, The Usos have been having match of the night almost every time they fight.
The Usos deserve this win. Taking out The New Day once again will certify Jimmy and Jey as the cream of the crop when it comes to tag teams.
The Usos retain their WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship by defeating The New Day
Fatal 5-Way for the WWE Championship: AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler
WWE
AJ Styles may have the odds stacked against him going into WWE Fastlane, but can anyone really see anybody but Styles walking into WrestleMania as WWE Champion? No one else in this match but Styles can truly pull off a main event caliber match with Shinsuke Nakamura at WrestleMania.
Can you imagine a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania being Baron Corbin vs. Shinsuke Nakamura? That sounds like a match better suited for SmackDown. The same goes with everyone else besides Styles, even former Universal Champion Kevin Owens would look out of place fighting “The Artist” Nakamura at the “show of shows.”
This match is hands down the most predictable affair on the Fastlane card. Seriously, how can anyone but AJ Styles win this match?
Styles vs. Nakamura at WrestleMania makes perfect sense as the two wrestler have already proven that they can make magic in the ring together. Last time they faced off was at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 10, where Nakamura came out victorious. Styles will hope to make up for that defeat at WrestleMania, but at Fastlane, he’s surely going to win the Fatal 5-way (you can bet your money on that). Who else is fit for Nakamura?