4 things WWE got right at Fastlane 2018

WWE’s 2018 edition of Fastlane was pegged as the last pitstop on the road to “The Showcase of Immortals”, and for all the deserved criticism the pay-per-view’s build up initially received, WWE managed to surprise fans with great wrestling and excellent storytelling

While Fastlane 2018 will never be known as the greatest pay-per-view the company produced in 2018, the SmackDown Live exclusive show did get most of its booking spot on, which resulted in thrilling action, exciting confrontations and a good progression of superstars narratives.

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#4 Rusev doesn't go down without a fight

Rusev proved he can craft a memorable performance if given the opportunity

Going into Fastlane 2018, WWE exhausted all options for numerous matches, as most of their top stars were tied up in the main event, meaning it was going to be difficult in trying to fill a three-hour pay-per-view with exciting and relatively fresh matches.

Therefore, when the sole reason for the last minute match between Shinsuke Nakamura vs Rusev was based on Nakamura damaging Aiden English's 'beautiful' singing voice in their match, fans knew they were in for another wasteful bout.

As this match’s sole purpose was to get Nakamura another win on the road to WrestleMania, which was nothing eventful, the combination of a white-hot crowd, two white-hot babyfaces and WWE’s decision to let Rusev look like a true super athlete, gave this match the factors it needed to succeed.

Rusev looked like an unstoppable monster as he stood strike for strike with Nakamura, countered submissions and delivered a jaw-breaking superkick. There was no more evidence needed to show that Rusev was protected in defeat when it took two Kinshasa’s to put him down. WWE knew Nakamura needed the victory at this PPV, but on this night Rusev was finally given the chance to show to immense abilities.

#3 The SmackDown Live Women’s Championship picture

A feud that will culminate in one of the most important matches in women's wrestling history

WWE has not given the SmackDown Live Women’s division the same amount of quality individual rivalry’s, as compared to Monday Night Raw’s. As talented Superstars such as Becky Lynch, Naomi, Natalya and the first-ever Women’s Money in the Bank winner Carmella have been shoehorned into wasteful Tag Team matches for the last few months.

However, while the rest of the division is struggling to stay relevant, the blue brand’s Women’s Title picture is starting to heat up.

At Fastlane 2018, the WWE Universe witnessed the breakout performance of Ruby Riott, another excellent title defense from Charlotte Flair and the debut of the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble winner Asuka on SmackDown. The arrival of Asuka sets up fresh confrontations, exciting matches, and a show-stealing WrestleMania championship match.

And if WWE utilizes all the strengths of world-class athletes such as Becky Lynch Asuka, and Charlotte Flair properly, they can start to turn the stagnant blue brand’s women’s division into a fast-paced thrilling portion of the product that can rival Raw’s.

#2 Bobby Roode teases a heel turn

A heel turn will give the US Title scene some serious traction

Bobby Roode vs Randy Orton on paper sounds brutally boring and, that was proving to be true as the build-up to their United States Title match at Fastlane was disappointing, to say the least. Therefore, few expected this poorly built feud to succeed on any level.

However, at Fastlane 2018, Orton and Roode produced a good match that had stellar in-ring work and somewhat good storytelling.

While most would campaign for a Randy Orton heel turn at this point, it is safe to say that if WWE gives Bobby Roode a chance to revert into his heelish NXT persona, SmackDown Live’s US Title scene will gain the traction it desperately needs on the road to WrestleMania.

The US Title scene is being set up to disappoint many at WrestleMania, as Jinder Mahal and Randy Orton are bringing nothing new to the table, but with the inclusion of Bobby Roode’s apparent heel turn on the horizon, the match can gain the much-needed depth it is currently lacking.

#1 Styles walks into WrestleMania as the SmackDown Live's savior

Styles is the man in WWE right now

When WWE set up a triple threat match for the WWE Title at Fastlane, many were annoyed at witnessing the same overdone match. When WWE turned that triple threat match into a fatal five-way, fans were outraged, and when the company had finally added another superstar to the fray, the entire WWE Universe was livid.

The reason for all the initial backlash on the Fastlane main event was that it was too congested with too many shoehorned narratives with no space to develop. However, through all the booking disasters WWE was setting themselves up for, the company managed to find a way to present an excellent match that balanced many narratives surprisingly well.

AJ Styles retaining his WWE Title was the best decision WWE made on the entire PPV. As there was no other superstar that could carry SmackDown Live on the road to WrestleMania, elevate the main event programme and make Shinsuke Nakamura look like a million bucks in their match at WrestleMania.