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WWE Fastlane provided several different types of matches and outcomes. While most had clean finishes, some like Alexa Bliss vs. Randy Orton were more driven by storyline. Bliss picked up the win without much of a match really taking place thanks to the return of The Fiend.
Riddle retained his United States Championship at Fastlane while Seth Rollins took down Shinsuke Nakamura in a back-and-forth contest. The insanity and miscommunication surrounding the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships ended one partnership. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler retained but still seem destined for a split since Reginald is still looming.
Sheamus and Drew McIntyre beat the tar out of each other, proving that sometimes all a bout needs is two savages willing to tear each other to shreds. Neither the RAW nor SmackDown tag team titles were defended at Fastlane.
The New Day is set to defend their RAW Tag Team titles against Omos and AJ Styles at WrestleMania 37. Dolph Ziggler and Bobby Roode are likely headed to a multi-team defense at the Show of Shows.
Elias also tried to get an appearance booked for WrestleMania 37 but Shane McMahon instead put Elias in a match against Braun Strowman. With the last pay-per-view before the Granddaddy of Them All in the books, here are five things we learned from Fastlane.
#5 RETRIBUTION imploded at Fastlane
For weeks and even months, Mustafa Ali has been trying to show the members of RETRIBUTION "how to get things done" in the ring. His match with Riddle at Fastlane was the culmination of a quick angle where he pinned the Original Bro on RAW.
Ali lost one match recently on RAW and he blamed T-Bar for interfering. He has continued to admonish members of his group week after week. After falling to beat Riddle on the Fastlane pre-show, things came to a heated conclusion.
During the duration of the match, members of RETRIBUTION like Reckoning and T-Bar both looked on with indifference. When Ali would yell at them ringside, Reckoning would put her hands up and say "show us."
After Ali lost his title match, the members came into the ring and helped him to his feet. Ali continued to berate everyone, causing an exodus of members one by one. It all came to a head when he yelled at Mace and T-Bar. The two giants retaliated in kind by chokeslamming their former leader.
Each member of the group seems destined to become their own person following Fastlane. T-Bar and Mace may remain allies while Reckoning can finally just be Mia Yim. Slapjack may have the hardest time to stand out on RAW after the dissolution of the group.
For now, it appears the group is over. While it had some potential, it was mismanaged from the beginning. After Fastlane, it seems like that experiment is over.
#4 Fastlane proved that it's still not over between Big E and Apollo Crews
One thing is for sure about the Intercontinental Championship program following Fastlane — Apollo Crews isn't going to stop gunning for Big E. The two men had an impressive showing where each performer showed off strength and agility. When all was said and done, however, Big E retained his title.
A wonky finishing sequence somewhat marred what was a pretty good match. Because of that, it means that things between Big E and Apollo Crews will continue past Fastlane. Referee Jessika Carr seemed to count to three a few times during the pinning sequence.
It's hard to argue against another chapter in the ongoing angle between Crews and Big E. Both men have currently done some of their best work in WWE with both men adopting a much more serious attitude. Crews has also turned heel for the first time in his WWE career, giving him a new direction.
While the two men will continue to battle over the Intercontinental title on the Road to WrestleMania, the angle has to add in several other characters. Cesaro and Seth Rollins seem destined for a showdown at the Show of Shows as well.
Rollins toppled Nakamura in another good match from Fastlane. Outside of those two, there are several other mid-carders from SmackDown that need a match at WrestleMania 37.
King Corbin, Nakamura and Murphy should get a spot on the card. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens appear destined for the next chapter in their lifelong feud as well. One easy way to give all of those stars a spotlight is to have a multi-man match for the title. That could mean a ladder match or a six-pack challenge.
After Fastlane and a post-match attack, Crews is still going to torment Big E as long as E is Intercontinental Champion. He isn't the only one, however, who should get a shot to become champion. Every title will be defended and there will be a few matches on the card not featuring any gold on the line.
In order to maximize the roster and the contests at WrestleMania 37, Crews should be only one of the challengers to Big E at the Show of Shows. After the events of Fastlane, however, Crews is certainly still going to pursue Intercontinental gold.
#3 Braun Strowman squashed Elias because Shane McMahon was "hurt" prior to Fastlane
Prior to the scheduled match at Fastlane between Shane McMahon and Braun Strowman, it was revealed that McMahon hurt himself during training earlier in the day.
Because of that, Strowman had to wait once again to get his hands on Shane-O-Mac. While he was coming out of his locker room on a crutch, McMahon was approached by Elias. The Drifter was looking to get a spot at WrestleMania.
McMahon listened to him nonchalantly and when the three men (including Jaxson Ryker in Elias' corner) appeared in the ring he was named as McMahon's replacement. It was a shock to The Drifter and another slight to the Monster Among Men.
The second it was revealed that McMahon wouldn't be competing at Fastlane, it was clearly another example of Shane messing with Strowman.
It wasn't a surprise when Strowman tore through Elias during the bout. After beating The Drifter, he was still understandably upset due to McMahon's actions. He left the Thunderdome in a fit of anger.
The execution of the whole angle between Strowman and Shane has been strange. McMahon stumbled through his promos a few weeks ago and then dumped green slime on Strowman. That isn't a great way to push a feud.
This is clearly going to lead to some sort of No Holds Barred match another stipulation match at WrestleMania 37. McMahon excels in those matches because they don't require chain wrestling or the countering of moves. Strowman also does well in those areas because he is seen as somewhat of a bull in a china shop.
Because he likely faked his injury prior to Fastlane, McMahon will probably continue to torment Strowman simply because he is a bully. Adding Elias gives McMahon an unwilling proxy in the angle. It at least gives Elias something else to do instead of battling Jeff Hardy for the hundredth time.
The Drifter always seems to come out on the losing end of his feuds when he is a heel. Perhaps this is the impetus for another shift in character for Elias. It could also lead to Ryker leaving Elias' side to be McMahon's enforcer.
Fastlane was just the most recent chapter on the Road to WrestleMania. It was a chapter in which McMahon continued to play games at the expense of Strowman. Strowman will get his revenge in April and will hopefully send McMahon off of TV once again.
#2 The Fiend returned at Fastlane
When it was announced that Alexa Bliss would be facing Randy Orton at Fastlane, it didn't seem like there would be much of a match. That is exactly what we got, as Bliss utilized tricks and misdirection to further infuriate the Legend Killer. She used a fireball, some inferno tactics and set failures as obstacles in Orton's path.
During the finishing sequence of the contest at Fastlane, Bliss waited in the corner for Orton to come and get her. While Orton was taking his time, the ring behind him ripped open, revealing a hand. That hand grabbed Orton's ankle. As The Viper tried to get out of the grip, he was pushed towards Bliss. The Fiend then revealed himself to still be among the living.
Bliss then shoved Orton towards The Fiend and he hit a Sister Abigail on the Orton. In the end, The Fiend returned from being burned alive and helped Bliss pick up the win over Orton at Fastlane.
After months of alluding to the fact that he wasn't really gone, Bliss helped reveal the new visage of The Fiend at Fastlane. He literally looked like everything had been melted from his frame, a result of Orton "burning him alive" months prior.
Bray Wyatt has often been kept off of TV for a few months between feuds in order to build up anticipation for his return. This time, Bliss served as his proxy and she kept tormenting Orton until The Fiend was ready to return. That return came at Fastlane, the last stop on the Road to WrestleMania.
The whole feud was meant to culminate with a cinematic match at the Show of Shows. That means that despite not challenging for a title on the card, Bliss is likely to still be included in a featured program on the Road to WrestleMania.
That isn't something that usually happens on the biggest pay-per-view of the schedule. It's just a testament to her ability to adapt and create different personas. She may not be consistently tossed in the title picture, or, as of late, having many matches. She is, however, much more interesting than some of the other personas in the RAW women's division.
Depending on opinions in the WWE Universe, last year's Firefly Fun House Match between Wyatt and John Cena was a success. Because of that success, it makes sense to try and at least come close to the impact of the first one.
Orton and Wyatt have a long history together in WWE. Fastlane reignited that feud with the reappearance of Wyatt's alter ego. With some fans allowed in attendance this year, there will likely only be one cinematic match. One match that needs to be cinematic, however, is the ongoing angle between Orton and Wyatt.
#1 Uncertainty at Fastlane means Daniel Bryan may still challenge for Universal Championship
To say that Roman Reigns cleanly defended his Universal Championship against Daniel Bryan at Fastlane would be deceiving. Not only did Jey Uso make his presence felt during the main event but Edge also factored into the decision.
Edge served as the special guest enforcer but Uso managed to also get involved. Edge, however, also interfered during the match by attacking both men after some miscommunication.
One of the stars of the match had to be the original referee. He took two huge blows to get knocked out of the match. Edge took over reffing duties in the interim but interference from Jey Uso and an inadverted knee from Daniel Bryan caused him to snap.
Reigns proved very good at ducking at Fastlane as he caused Bryan to knock out both Edge and the first referee. Reigns even faintly tapped out to the Yes! Lock but the Rated R Superstar wasn't able to see it. Ultimately, Edge left after attacking both Bryan and Reigns and a new referee counted the win for The Tribal Chief.
There was a lot of craziness that went down during the main event of Fastlane. For that reason, it's hard to think that this is the last of Daniel Bryan challenging for the Unviersal Championship at WrestleMania.
Once again, he proved that he could beat Reigns but was robbed of his chance. Bryan gave Reigns possibly his biggest test of this title run but wasn't in control of deciding the official outcome. Because of that, he once again has a legitimate gripe that should lead to another shot at the Head of the Table and the Universal title.
The only thing that makes sense is to make the match a Triple Threat. The outcome of the bout can still stay the same if WWE wants it to, but after Fastlane and Elimination Chamber, Bryan deserves a clean shot.
A Triple Threat means that there are no rules, but WWE traditionally only utilizes that stipulation at non-WrestleMania pay-per-views. After the work all three men have done since last year's Show of Shows, it now needs to be Daniel Bryan vs. Edge vs. Roman Reigns at WrestleMania.
Will there be some sort of resolution this Friday on SmackDown? Whatever happens, Bryan should be in the main event of WrestleMania 37.
