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Fastlane is just around the corner, and we're on the final major stop on the road to WrestleMania. One year ago, AJ Styles walked into Fastlane as WWE Champion, defending it with honor and pride in one of the most fantastic matches of his year-long WWE title reign.
That reign would end in the hands of Danie Bryan, who would take up a whole new persona of his own, labeling himself as the "new" Daniel Bryan. The New Daniel Bryan showed a side to himself that he's never shown us before. He's a messenger for the planet earth, which is not bad on paper. Except, he and his "intellectual peer" Rowan are nothing short of annoying, and the same fans that supported him to the main event of WrestleMania 5 years ago now boo him.
Either way, Fastlane has an interesting card and we're not yet sure which match is going to main event the PPV. We have two kickoff show matches. The first will see Andrade and Rey Mysterio go head-to-head in their heated rivalry, while The New Day's Big E & Xavier Woods take on Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura. Here's what to expect as the road to WrestleMania comes to a slow conclusion.
#7 Asuka (c) vs Mandy Rose - SmackDown Women's Championship
This one came about because Mandy Rose got a surprise victory over the dominant SmackDown Women's Champion Asuka. As a result, she got a title match at Fastlane, and with Sonya DeVille by her side, we could very well see Mandy Rose come close to dethroning The Empress Of Tomorrow.
Mandy Rose even managed to squash bitter rival Naomi in no time. With monentum on her side, will she be able to dethrone the once-undefeated Empress? Or will Asuka bring her down to reality?
#6 The Revival (c) vs. Aleister Black & Ricochet vs. Chad Gable & Bobby Roode - RAW Tag Team Championship
The Revival find themselves up against major odds, and this match, their chances of walking out still RAW Tag Team Champions is only 33.3%. They take on former champions Chad Gable & Bobby Roode and the newly called-up NXT duo Aleister Black & Ricochet.
Black & Ricochet were singles stars in NXT (both seeing championship success). They've surprisingly teamed up together, and though we don't know if they're going to be a unit for long, they've got a lot of momentum on their side. They defeated the current champions in a non-title match and won by DQ in a title match.
As a result, we have a triple threat collision. One thing is for sure - it's going to be absolutely chaotic and entertaining. Don't sleep on this match, because it could steal the show!
#5 The Usos (c) vs. Shane McMahon & The Miz
The Miz & Shane McMahon had a dream moment at the Royal Rumble, where they defeated the experienced former champions Sheamus & Cesaro to become SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
For Shane McMahon, it was a dream come true because he wanted to win the tag titles with Andre The Giant as a kid and got to live his dream many years later. For The Miz, he managed to make his father proud.
However, the SmackDown tag title scene is a pool of sharks, and The Usos may very well be the kings of the pack. Being arguably the best tag team on the entire roster, they ended Miz & Shane's brief honeymoon period.
Capturing the tag titles at Elimination Chamber, they defend the titles against Miz & Shane, but does The Best Tag Team In The World have what it takes to recapture the titles?
Or will this be the moment where The Miz & Shane McMahon turn on each other, setting up a WrestleMania match?
#4 The Boss 'n' Hug Connection (c) vs. Nia Jax & Tamina
The Boss 'N' Hug Connection had a dream moment at Elimination Chamber when they successfully defeated five other teams to become the inaugural WWE Women's Tag Team Championships.
Their first defence is against none other than the dominant force of Nia Jax and Tamina. Don't sleep on the challengers, because Tamina has a win over Sasha Banks, while Nia Jax has no shortage of history with both of the champions.
It's essentially going to be the technical skills and experienced team work of Sasha & Bayley vs the power of Nia Jax and Tamina. They've proved to be quite the force together.
If Sasha Banks & Bayley walk out as tag team champions, they might have an even greater challenge ahead of them. It's rumored that the two WWE legends Trish Stratus & Lita will be returning to challenge them at WrestleMania.
Now that's a money match!
#3 The Shield vs. Baron Corbin, Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre
There's a bit of sadness with regards to this match because we might be seeing The Shield together for the final time. As you know by now, Dean Ambrose's contract with WWE expires right after WrestleMania 35, and he's opted not to renew his contract, knowledge that was made public by WWE.
With that said, Roman Reigns made a miraculous return, announcing in late February that he's now officially in remission. He's essentially kicked leukemia in the backside and he's now ready to return with a vengeance.
Acting as a peacemaker between Seth Rollins and Ambrose, the trio has found themselves up against the trio of Baron Corbin, Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre. The Shield are naturally the favorites, but we can't help but ponder over what could possibly happen with Ambrose.
Perhaps if he renews his contract, there won't be only one match left with The Shield.
#2 Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Kevin Owens - WWE Championship
This is a match that has injustice written all over it. Kofi Kingston rightfully earned his place as the #1 contender for the WWE Championship, having fallen short by inches at Elimination Chamber and still pinning Daniel Bryan two nights later.
However, Vince McMahon told Kingston that it was his duty to offer the "best box office match", and said that he was being replaced by someone "more deserving" - Kevin Owens.
Now, Owens seems to be a changed man and has admitted that Kingston very much deserves the opportunity, but naturally, he can't deny it when it was handed to him. Owens has returned from injury for the first time in months, and he's back to the brand he essentially got kicked out of.
Will Owens manage to win his second WWE World Championship against the "New" Daniel Bryan?
#1 Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair - If Becky Lynch wins, she gets added to the WrestleMania main event
This may be the main event of Fastlane, simply because the stakes are that high. Becky Lynch won the Royal Rumble match after replacing an injured Lana, and she went straight to Ronda Rousey and with no hesitation, challenged her at WrestleMania.
Now, due to an injury, she had a small feud and hiccup with the McMahon family, until things finally settled. However, Vince McMahon then told her that he didn't like her attitude and replaced her with Charlotte Flair, the runner-up of the Rumble.
Becky Lynch suffered a suspension as well, but Stephanie McMahon announced this past week that it was overturned. With all the chaos, Lynch will now go head-to-head with Charlotte Flair to make the RAW Women's Championship match at WrestleMania a triple threat.
Will Becky Lynch manage to prevail despite having a knee injury?
