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It was announced this past week on SmackDown that Seth Rollins would go one-on-one with The Artist Shinsuke Nakamura this weekend at Fastlane.
This comes after weeks of Rollins targeting Nakamura's former friend Cesaro. Rollins even attempted to end Cesaro's WWE career when he looked to deliver a curb stomp whilst The Swiss Superman had a steel chair around his neck.
Cesaro wasn't part of this week's episode of SmackDown, but Nakamura was able to make quite a statement in his absence when he interrupted Rollins' planned speech and delivered a Kinshasa.
Fastlane will be Rollins' first singles match on pay-per-view since SummerSlam 2020 when he was able to defeat Dominik Mysterio. The former World Champion has since been on paternity leave and then wasn't part of last month's Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. This weekend's Fastlane pay-per-view is Rollins's first chance in a while to make a statement.
Heading into this weekend's Fastlane event, there are several potential finishes for the match between The Messiah and The Artist.
#5. Seth Rollins defeats Shinsuke Nakamura clean at WWE Fastlane
Seth Rollins and Shinsuke Nakamura both came through the ranks in NXT to make it up to the main roster and are both former NXT Champions. That being said, the two men don't have much more in common. But this weekend, Rollins could send quite the message to the WWE locker room if he's able to defeat The Artist.
The Messiah tried to recruit some new disciples when he made his return to WWE back in February, but the locker room on SmackDown wasn't interested and Cesaro then went on to make it clear that he wasn't backing Rollins' "vision."
Rollins missed several months of WWE action whilst on paternity leave and now needs to get back into the swing of things, if he's hoping to be in contention for a Universal Championship shot before the end of the year.
Nakamura hasn't been on a great run on WWE TV in recent months and Rollins could take advantage of this to secure a big win at WWE Fastlane this weekend. It would also open the door for a much bigger match at WrestleMania next month for the former World Champion, since he isn't in a position where a match has been set up for the biggest show of the year just yet.
#4. Shinsuke Nakamura is able to get revenge for Cesaro at Fastlane when he defeats Seth Rollins
Shinsuke Nakamura has stepped up in the absence of his former Tag Team partner to take on Seth Rollins this weekend at Fastlane.
After The Messiah attacked The Swiss Superman last week on SmackDown, he made his way into the backstage area where he was seen with Nakamura. The Artist made it clear that he wasn't happy about the events that had just unfolded.
Nakamura went one step further this week when he interrupted and attacked Rollins as he bragged about his assault on Cesaro. Over the past year, Nakamura and Cesaro have become close friends and are former Tag Team Champions, which is why The Artist has stepped up to help his friend in this match against Rollins.
Nakamura is obviously out for revenge this weekend at Fastlane after Rollins' actions towards Cesaro. As seen this past week on SmackDown, it only takes one Kinshasa to ground the former World Champion and make his point.
#3. Murphy helps Seth Rollins to defeat Shinsuke Nakamura at Fastlane
Murphy was once considered to be one of Seth Rollins' disciples and could decide to help his former Messiah this weekend at Fastlane.
Murphy and Rollins had quite the feud towards the end of 2020, but since Rollins made his return to WWE TV, Murphy has made it clear that he wants to be back on the same page as The Messiah.
Murphy has come up short against Cesaro whilst trying to help Rollins sort out his issues with The Swiss Superman and could decide to try to interfere in the match at Fastlane.
If Rollins is in a position where he is about to win the match, then it's likely that Cesaro will interfere. Murphy could then make his way to the ring and even the numbers.
It's unclear what the story is with Murphy and Rollins at present, but it's likely that the former disciple will continue to push for The Messiah's attention if he is hoping to be part of his team once again.
#2. The match ends in a no-contest as a brawl breaks out at Fastlane
Seth Rollins and Shinsuke Nakamura have only recently developed an issue with each other, since it's the issues between Cesaro and Rollins that led to this match taking place at Fastlane.
The story between Cesaro and Rollins is far from over and it's likely that this will continue as part of this match. Whilst Nakamura and Rollins could easily steal the show, chances are this match at Fastlane is here as a stepping stone to set up next month's WrestleMania match.
If the company opts for a Tag Team match at the biggest show of the year, then it's likely that both Cesaro and Murphy will involve themselves in the match this weekend and it will break down into a brawl.
This close to WrestleMania, neither man can afford to take a clean loss so it would make sense for interference to be involved, or for the match to end because of a brawl. This finish would then see Murphy and Rollins team up to take on Cesaro and Nakamura next month.
#1. Cesaro makes his return and interferes in the match at Fastlane
Cesaro was attacked by Seth Rollins just over a week ago on SmackDown which is why The Swiss Superman isn't wrestling The Messiah at Fastlane.
With WrestleMania right around the corner, it's likely that Rollins and Cesaro will face off in some way at the biggest show of the year. The attack at the hands of Rollins is the reason why Cesaro missed this past week of action on SmackDown, but he could make his return to help Shinsuke Nakamura pick up the win.
Cesaro's music playing could be enough of a distraction for Rollins to believe that The Swiss Superman has made his return. Nakamura could then hit the Kinshasa for the victory.
Cesaro could also leave his return until after the match and then attack Rollins following his defeat to Nakamura, if The Artist is able to see a way past The Messiah this weekend at Fastlane.
Either way, this match is likely to have some huge implications regarding WrestleMania next month.
