It's an exciting time to be a wrestling fan as we collectively gear up for the most fun time on the WWE calendar – WrestleMania season. This is the time of year during which legends return, injured superstars make a surprise comeback and the WWE Universe is treated to better storylines than they've seen throughout the last twelve months.
Well, that's how it's advertised to the public anyway. Whether it succeeds or fails, year in and year out, we as supporters of the product get actively excited when we're preparing for Mania. It's unlike any other kind of event found in any sport you can think of because everything is just different. Whether it's the occasion, the matches, the atmosphere – everything feels bigger.
So naturally, the event prior to Mania should feel pretty minuscule in comparison. Whilst that's usually true, for the Raw brand they will likely be putting a lot of stock into the Fastlane pay-per-view this time round. With it taking place just a few weeks before the showcase of the immortals, you can bet that there will be some pretty interesting storyline developments that take place.
With that being said, let's take a look at five potential main events for WWE Fastlane.
#1 Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho
This is probably the least likely of all the options but considering WWE's love of rematches, it wouldn't be the biggest surprise in the world. Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho have had a beautiful friendship for a long time now, but all good things must come to an end and there's no better time or place than during the build up to WrestleMania.
The showcase of the immortals provides us with matches that we've been anticipating for a long time. So how typical would it be of the WWE to give it to us a month early? Perhaps it could all prove to be yet another big joke by the two men and they end up staying together but don't be too surprised if Owens and Jericho end up locking horns twice over the next few months.
Onto one of the biggest matches possible; literally.
#2 Goldberg vs. Braun Strowman
Whilst Goldberg and Braun Strowman have only really had one proper interaction, it showed that there may be some potential when it comes to a future match. There are rumours floating around that Goldberg is set to wrestle at the February pay-per-view, and if that turns out to be the case, a match up against Strowman could really fascinate the WWE Universe.
Strowman is getting better as the weeks go by and you could book it so that both men look strong, with potential outside interference causing a disqualification early enough in the match to protect them. It would be a bit of a slap in the face to some fans who were eager to see a full-on battle, but right now neither guy is really in the position to be going more than 10 minutes in the ring.
Now onto something a little more unorthodox in 2017.
#3 Goldberg & Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens & Chris Jericho
It's not often that you see tag team matches main eventing pay-per-views but in this instance, it would likely be worth the price of admission. While you could easily have this match on Raw, it would make more sense for it to take place on an event like Fastlane, because you just know WWE wouldn't want to give away a Goldberg match that easily.
It could prove to be the moment when Owens finally snaps on Jericho, leading into their seemingly inevitable bout at WrestleMania 33. Whatever the case may be there are a number of interesting possibilities in this one, including a showdown between long-term rivals Chris Jericho and Goldberg. You can't pretend like you wouldn't want to see what happens.
We move onto a match we've seen before, but wouldn't mind seeing again.
#4 Seth Rollins vs. Braun Strowman
Seth Rollins is slowly building up his credibility as a babyface, with his ongoing feud with Triple H seemingly set to move up to the next level. With the two men surely set for a match in Orlando, perhaps this match could play into the storyline a little bit. Maybe Rollins worms his way back into the Rumble match and wins it, only to be forced to put his opportunity on the line against Strowman.
Assuming Owens loses the belt to Reigns, you could have Strowman win here courtesy of interference from The Game which would set up a number of matches for the big event. Once again this could be utilised on Raw, but given that the build towards Fastlane won't be too long anyway they could probably get away with shoving the match onto this card.
From Rollins and Strowman to four completely different competitors.
#5 Goldberg & Chris Jericho vs. Brock Lesnar & Kevin Owens
We're back to the possibility of a tag team match now, and while it's not exactly going to be Batista/Taker vs HBK/Cena levels of star power this could still be interesting. This would allow for two potential WrestleMania matches to combine, teaming up two sets of people that could also face each other at some point in the future. Really, it's a win-win situation all round.
Aside from a disqualification the only person who can really afford to take a pin here is Jericho, and Lesnar would likely be the one to execute that following a couple F5s. With Y2J turning babyface as a result of Owens' likely betrayal, you'd have a clear story in place and the fans would be invested in the prospect of seeing these four guys in the ring together. Well, we hope.
