'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Out of all the scheduled matches at the 2021 Fastlane pay-per-view, Alexa Bliss and Randy Orton's intergender match has the most intrigue behind it. There are various finishes to this particular bout. But whenever it comes to Orton, Bliss, and The Fiend's saga, WWE has swerved their fanbase on more than one occasion.
Orton immolated The Fiend at WWE TLC 2020 during their Firefly Inferno match. Since then, Bliss has carried forward this saga with The Viper on WWE RAW. Bliss has tormented Orton every week, and their mind games will be showcased during this Sunday's Fastlane pay-per-view.
Let's take a look at five big questions heading into Alexa Bliss and Randy Orton's intergender clash at WWE Fastlane 2021.
#5 Could a few cinematic elements be incorporated into Alexa Bliss vs. Randy Orton at WWE Fastlane?
WWE has significantly evolved over the past few decades. In today's world, it's a very tricky proposition to feature man-on-woman violence in a PG environment, even in a fictional context.
Perhaps to reduce the physical aspects of Alexa Bliss and Randy Orton's bout at Fastlane, could WWE add a few cinematic elements to their "match"?
This might be a likely outcome given that the entire storyline has frequently blurred the lines between cinema and professional wrestling. After all that Bliss has done to Orton through her "magical tricks," a normal match at Fastlane would be a step down from the bizarre aspects of their storyline.
If WWE decides to make this a cinematic match, the creative possibilities will be endless. Could Bliss vs. Orton be the intergender equivalent of Bray Wyatt and John Cena's groundbreaking Firefly Fun House match?
The Viper has a controversial past in both reel and real life. Perhaps Orton's infamous history could be explored in a cinematic clash. As always, a heavy dose of Easter eggs and subtle references will surely keep the conversation engaging for a considerable amount of time.
Would you like to see Alexa Bliss and Randy Orton face each other in a cinematic setting? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
#4 Will WWE allow Randy Orton to cross the line at Fastlane?
As opposed to a cinematic match, could WWE double down on the physicality of Alexa Bliss and Randy Orton's match at Fastlane?
After all, no one thought that a WWE pay-per-view would end with a man's entire body being set on fire. Even though a dummy of The Fiend was immolated at TLC, the idea itself seemed beyond the scope of WWE's PG standards.
While intergender violence is an entirely different subject, the above example proves that WWE can cross the boundaries to a certain extent on pay-per-view. With that in mind, could Orton surprise viewers and engage in a legitimately physical bout against Bliss?
The Viper has delivered an RKO to several female stars throughout history, so that's nothing new.
While Orton's potential physical warfare against Bliss may be uncomfortable to watch for some viewers, it will certainly present the former as a despicable heel. In terms of the storyline, Bliss could intentionally put herself in peril to draw out The Fiend.
It's not ideal to expect WWE to go all-in on this particular idea at Fastlane. But since a match should technically involve some physical action, fans have discussed this possibility all across social media.
#3 Could Alexa Bliss open Pandora's Box at Fastlane?
In recent weeks, Alexa Bliss has introduced a new "toy" during her segments on WWE RAW, and it could play a significant role at Fastlane.
This new object is similar to Pandora's Box, as noted in the tweet embedded above. Before the most recent episode of RAW, USA Network had teased a distinct possibility for Bliss and Orton's saga — "Will Alexa open Pandora's Box?"
While Bliss did not open the mysterious box on RAW, she has teased that it will be unlocked at some point in the future. Could this finally happen at the upcoming Fastlane pay-per-view?
The reason why this object has so much importance is that after being opened, it could lead to some grave consequences. After all, Pandora's Box is described as a source of great and unexpected troubles.
Fans have speculated that opening Pandora's Box could spell doom for Randy Orton at Fastlane. Perhaps at the event, unlocking the box will inevitably lead to a trip through Orton's mind in a cinematic match. It could even bring about Alexa Bliss' greatest magic trick of all time.
The possibilities seem endless, but all of them indicate that Orton's onscreen character will unavoidably suffer as a result of this outcome.
#2 Will Alexa Bliss and Randy Orton's clash have a clear outcome at Fastlane?
There are a lot of unpredictable possibilities for Alexa Bliss and Randy Orton's intergender match at WWE Fastlane.
As far as a clear outcome is concerned, either Bliss and her mind games will prevail over Orton, or The Viper will secure a pinfall victory by using his physical advantage over Bliss. But the match could also explode out of control at Fastlane.
If the referee loses control over the bout, it could end in a no-contest. When it comes to a supernatural storyline like this one, a few external elements could influence the intergender match at Fastlane. If that happens, is there even a reason to have a referee officiate Bliss vs. Orton? After all, there isn't a specific handbook on how to officiate matches where supernatural incidents can occur.
Alexa Bliss and Randy Orton's clash at Fastlane could be the culmination of their specific storyline in WWE. At the same time, the next slide will look at the biggest reason why the match may act as a catalyst to renew the larger storyline at play here.
#1 Will The Fiend finally return to WWE at Fastlane?
After Fastlane, only three episodes of WWE RAW are left to air on the Road to WrestleMania 37. As a result, The Fiend's long-awaited return to WWE should occur as soon as possible.
Many fans and critics have noted that the upcoming Fastlane pay-per-view is the perfect stage to bring back The Fiend. Perhaps Alexa Bliss baited Randy Orton into their intergender match as a way to set up The Fiend's return.
Could opening Pandora's Box unleash Bray Wyatt's alter-ego at Fastlane? It is also possible that WWE might air some cryptic vignettes during the pay-per-view to tease The Fiend's eventual comeback at WrestleMania.
Either way, there are numerous changes WWE could make to The Fiend upon his return. After all, Wyatt's alter-ego was viciously burned by Orton the last time WWE fans witnessed him on television.
Even if The Fiend doesn't return during Fastlane, the pay-per-view should provide viewers with a significant development related to the character. Otherwise, there is a chance that some fans could end up being disappointed with the outcome of Bliss vs. Orton.
Do you have any more questions related to Alexa Bliss and Randy Orton's intergender match at Fastlane? Let us know in the comments section.
In the video linked above, do check out former WWE head writer Vince Russo's pitch to incorporate Bray Wyatt's real-life sibling, Bo Dallas, and their father, WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda, into Wyatt's storylines.
