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WWE Fastlane 2021 won't be the first time that Big E and Apollo Crews have faced each other with the Intercontinental Championship at stake. However, there is more significance attached to their clash at this Sunday's pay-per-view.
The main reason is that Apollo and Big E's rivalry recently took an unexpected turn. Over the past few weeks, both men have showcased a new level of intensity that has caught everyone's attention.
Apollo Crews is no longer a generic babyface in WWE. The introduction of Apollo's Nigerian royalty gimmick has skyrocketed his confidence on television. Here's what he had to say about it in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated:
“This isn’t arrogance or cockiness; it’s just me knowing what I am capable of doing. My talent has been hidden for too long, and people are finally going to see how great I really am.”
Meanwhile, Big E's Intercontinental Championship reign has been an engaging ride for the WWE Universe so far. Interestingly, this feud with Apollo Crews has even put a rest to Big E's lighthearted demeanor on SmackDown.
In terms of quality, their rivalry has been on an upward swing to a point where both stars deserve to wrestle each other on a grand stage like WrestleMania. But since they are scheduled to wrestle at Fastlane, let's take a look at five potential finishes to Big E vs. Apollo Crews at this Sunday's pay-per-view.
#5 Apollo Crews gets himself disqualified to escape Big E's wrath at WWE Fastlane
Apollo Crews seems more confident than ever, but he has also adopted a smarter approach to his current feud with Big E. Last week, Crews did not fall for the Intercontinental Champion's bait to face him man-to-man.
Instead, Crews blindsided Big E after the latter had wrestled a match against Sami Zayn.
On the go-home episode of SmackDown before WWE Fastlane, Crews got involved in a wild brawl with his current rival. However, he fled the scene on a golf cart when the situation got out of control.
These instances show that Crews' onscreen persona has learned to use his intellect over strength. He did, after all, learn something from Roman Reigns.
To match Big E's strengths, Crews could play dirty for his own benefit. The challenger might get himself disqualified if the champion becomes an overwhelming threat in the ring.
Big E does want a clear conclusion to his feud with Crews. So a disqualification finish from the latter's side could lead to a rematch between them at WWE WrestleMania 37. This outcome seems beneficial for the Nigerian star in the grander scheme of things, as it will allow him to stay in the spotlight at the biggest show of the year.
Apollo Crews getting himself disqualified doesn't sound like the most appealing finish. However, this outcome would fit in with his established character traits at WWE Fastlane.
#4 Big E snaps against Apollo Crews and gets himself disqualified at WWE Fastlane
If Big E and Apollo Crews should face each other at WWE WrestleMania 37, there are numerous ways to reach that goal.
As explained in the previous slide, Crews could benefit a lot if he gets himself disqualified. But Big E did not always have a desire to face the Nigerian star over and over again.
While the Intercontinental Champion did change his mind over this subject when Crews crossed the line, it still seems like Big E does not have a lot to gain from a disqualification finish. However, there is a real possibility that The New Day member could get unintentionally disqualified.
The Nigerian star has brought out a level of intensity in Big E that hasn't been seen since the latter's pre-New Day run. If the match at Fastlane showcases the same amount of energy from their segments, Big E could very well cross the line and get himself disqualified.
Again, a disqualification finish is never the most satisfying conclusion to a high-stakes bout. But it seems very likely that Big E vs. Apollo Crews won't have a definite outcome this Sunday night.
#3 Big E cleanly retains his WWE Intercontinental Championship at Fastlane
The most straightforward conclusion to Big E vs. Apollo Crews at WWE Fastlane would be a successful title defense from The New Day member. So as a technical possibility, it has to be mentioned in this article.
But if Big E cleanly retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship, it will prevent Crews from getting a rematch anytime soon.
Perhaps the Nigerian star could attack the champion immediately after the conclusion of their match at Fastlane. A brutal attack would then prompt Big E to face his current rival again at WrestleMania, but with a no disqualification stipulation to take their feud to the next level.
#2 Big E vs. Apollo Crews ends in a draw or no-contest at WWE Fastlane
Big E and Apollo Crews should take each other to their limits at WWE Fastlane. But what happens when both WWE Superstars exceed their limits beyond a straightforward pinfall, submission, or disqualification finish?
Perhaps the two could be simultaneously disqualified, or they could both emerge as the winners through a specific finish. If the match gets excessively violent, the referee may choose to call for either a draw or a no-contest decision, depending on the situation.
There are several ways through which a match can end in a draw or a no-contest. But either way, both stars could leave Fastlane as equal competitors. This development will create more intrigue for their eventual rematch, as a clear winner must be determined at some point.
#1 Apollo Crews becomes the new WWE Intercontinental Champion at Fastlane
Could WWE strike while the iron is hot in Apollo Crews' case? Big E still has a lot to offer as the Intercontinental Champion, but Apollo's sudden resurgence might change the landscape of the WWE SmackDown mid-card scene.
If a title change takes place at WWE Fastlane, it will surely come across as a controversial decision for many fans. After this potential outcome, Big E could certainly get his rematch at WrestleMania.
But if Big E doesn't become Intercontinental Champion again, WWE should catapult him into a program with Roman Reigns soon. As a result, Apollo Crews could then enjoy his Intercontinental title reign atop SmackDown's mid-card landscape.
This particular finish would kickstart a re-shaping of WWE SmackDown in 2021.
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