'%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)
SmackDown hasn't been its usual self in recent weeks. Raw has been the better show by a mile with Elimination Chamber on the horizon while the blue brand struggles with a paper thin roster.
Nonetheless, Fastlane is the final PPV for SmackDown scheduled to take place on March 11th and the build for the same is bound to make the product interesting.
WWE has done a decent job of hyping up the anticipation for tonight with two high-stakes matches and a host of explosive segments lined up for the Universe.
Raw fell flat this week and the onus is now on Shane McMahon and co. to finally notch one up against their counterparts, which all depends on these five talking points:
#1 New US Champion on Rusev Day?
Rusev Day is coming eerily close to the infamous Yes! Movement from a couple of years back. Rusev Rumble was hijacked by a bunch of staunch supporters of the Bulgarian Brute and it seems WWE is left with no option but to give him the god damn push!
Rusev will look to become a 3-time US Champion tonight when he takes on Bobby Roode in a title match. He won the opportunity by defeating Kofi Kingston, Zack Ryder, and Jinder Mahal last week in a fatal-4 way match.
A title change at such a nascent stage in Roode's title reign seems highly unlikely but at the same time, we're sure WWE has a grand coronation in mind for Rusev too just as they have in the case of Roman Reigns.
Machka deserves it, after all, he's the most over superstar in all of WWE today. The Glorious One's reign has to end at the hands of Rusev, but will it happen tonight itself?
#2 The Queen is looking for retribution
Charlotte Flair was subjected to a vicious attack at the hands of the Riott Squad last week and the Queen is all in the mood for vengeance. She will take on Liv Morgan tonight in one-one-one action and we all know how this may end.
But the finish is not what's important here, but the future of the SmackDown Women's Championship. With Fastlane and WrestleMania approaching, Flair is in need of an opponent for both shows.
With Asuka seemingly set to challenge Alexa Bliss at the show of shows, Charlotte is left with an array of opponents to choose from. WWE could give the fans an idea of what to expect in the ambiguous SD Women's title scene tonight and it better be good.
#3 SmackDown Top 10
Last week, Daniel Bryan announced that he would be unveiling the first-ever SmackDown Live Top 10 Superstars rankings list. And guess who votes? The SmackDown Superstars themselves. Of course, they can't vote for themselves.
While the concept sounds good on paper, it challenges kayfabe and has all the potential to be as irrelevant as the Cruiserweight division. Nonetheless, it adds a different dimension to SmackDown and that can never be a bad thing.
The rankings will be based on locker room leadership, overall skill, and athletic ability. The rankings will determine who gets the lucrative title shots in the future.
WWE taking a cue from the UFC has given SmackDown a much-needed direction. However, will this end up being a fruitful exercise?
#4 What's next for the Usos?
I say this in every preview piece, Usos is the best tag team currently in the WWE. It doesn't change this week either. However, the twins are in dire need of fresh opponents with WrestleMania on in full swing.
Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable are still knocking on the doors despite losing their 2-out-3 falls match at Royal Rumble. Their win against Breezango last week has propelled them back into the title picture but they have some intimidating competition in the form of the Bludgeon Brothers, who stared down the Usos last week.
Is it finally time for the Bludgeon Brothers to rise and dethrone the Usos or will Gable and Benjamin finally come out of the Uso Penitentiary as the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions?
#5 Fight forever!
They are indeed destined to do this forever. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens will take on each other for the umpteenth time on today's show with the #1 contender's spot for the WWE title on the line.
The leaders of the Yep! movement has been a thorn in Shane McMahon's yard and Daniel Bryan's leniency towards the rebellious duo has made this a complex storyline.
On one side you have the authority figures teasing an implosion and on the other, two best friends who are all too familiar with backstabbing. And then you have the WWE Champion AJ Styles, who will be focused on holding onto his strap and go on to WrestleMania to face Shinsuke Nakamura.
Before WrestleMania though, Fastlane deserves a solid WWE title match.
Styles vs Zayn! Book it WWE!
