WWE News: SmackDown Women's Championship match announced for Fastlane

What's the story?

After weeks of back and forth exchanges between Charlotte and The Riott Squad, it seems that it has come down to Ruby Riott up against the SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte at WWE Fastlane next month.

In case you didn't know...

The Riott Squad debuted on SmackDown Live back in November and have attempted to take over the division. Women's Champion Charlotte has been a huge roadblock in their way, which has led to a number of exchanges between Charlotte and Riott Squad members Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan.

Charlotte has already managed to pin Morgan and Logan in singles matches and now only has Riott left, to add to her list. Whilst Ruby pinned Becky Lynch in tag team action this week and moves on to Naomi next week, it will be a battle to find out who the best is at Fastlane, if Riott manages to pin both other members of Charlotte's team, before she collides with The Queen herself in just over two weeks' time.

The heart of the matter

Ruby Riott pinned Becky Lynch this week on SmackDown Live to win the six-woman tag match for her team and then went on to challenge Naomi next week on SmackDown, also telling Charlotte that if she wants her, then she should bring her Championship to Fastlane.

If a championship match is what @RubyRiottWWE wants, a championship match is what she'll get... WOOOOO! #SDLive @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/zh6nUnbjdJ

— WWE (@WWE) February 21, 2018

Charlotte accepted the challenge, like the fighting Champion that she is and the match was made official by WWE, which means that it will take place at SmackDown's final pay-per-view stop ahead of WrestleMania.

IT'S ON! The world of #TheQueen may crumble when @MsCharlotteWWE defends her #SDLive #WomensTitle against @RubyRiottWWE at #WWEFastlane! pic.twitter.com/0WiiHrPyxV

— WWE (@WWE) February 21, 2018

Charlotte has to be constantly looking over her shoulder, knowing that not only are the odds not in her favour if Ruby Riott brings The Riott Squad with her, but Carmella could also be lurking in the background, waiting for an opportunity to cash in.

What's next?

The Raw roster take centre stage this weekend at the Elimination Chamber, but the focus will turn to SmackDown Live on March 11th for Fastlane, the event that will see AJ Styles defend his WWE Championship in a fatal five-way match against Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.

Author's take

The SmackDown Live Women's Division has been underwhelming as of late, but at least the storyline has been consistent and has allowed Ruby Riott to become the stand out member of her squad.

It will be interesting to see if the former NXT star can step up to Charlotte's level at Fastlane or if WWE has some twists and turns planned for the final stop on the Road to WrestleMania.