All three men face off in a triple threat for the right to main event at WrestleMania 32. / credit: wwe.com
[dropcap]C[/dropcap]oming in hot (or at least attempting to) midway through the Road to WrestleMania is the second annual Fast Lane PPV, airing at 8 pm EST from the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. Though said Road goes from January to the actual event, it’s been in the past two years that we’ve seen the card for The Grandaddy of Them All really start to take shape and give us an idea of what we’re going to be in for.
All eyes are usually on the main event of any PPV, and with what’s at stake for this one, there will be no exception. In fact, I’d say that this main event carries a lot more weight with it than the slated main event of WrestleMania, given that this has the potential to change the courses of at least two careers. The card is well stacked with both divisions of the company being represented, and a couple belts on the line. With all that said, let’s get to the predictions.
Kalisto vs Alberto Del Rio two-out-of-three falls for the US Championship
Prediction: Kalisto
Honestly, even though he’s not even been back 6 months yet, ADR is at a point in his career where he doesn’t need a belt and should be aiming to help put younger, fresher talent over. Kalisto is an amazing talent that, if given proper focus, could eventually rise in the ranks of the company to dominate the midcard.
However, given the type of match this is, I’m not entirely sure if they’re wrapping it up here, but honestly, I think we may get one more match out of them which will wrap the angle at ‘Mania. Sin Cara is back though, so if they’re going to put the focus back on the Lucha Dragons with an end goal of putting the belts on them, then at some point he has to drop that title, even though keeping it on him will establish it as the unofficial lower card title. Still, I’m rooting for Kalisto.
Ryback, Big Show and Kane vs. The Wyatt Family
Pick: The Wyatt Family
To start, honestly, this is not a match I’m very invested in. I’ve had my fill of Big Show and Kane, enough to last me the rest of my life. However, they, like ADR and Jericho, are at a point where they’re basically enhancement talent. (Though I think Big Show is close to breaking his record for most face/heel turns in a three-month period.)
The Wyatts have been on the main roster for three years now and at this point, there’s never been a more desperate need to dominate and win than right now. At this point, it’s almost a joke to have them together. More than anything, a win for the family would work towards establishing Bray as a credible threat again, especially if the company does intend on going through with Bray vs Brock at WrestleMania. Regardless, there is absolutely no reason Ryback, Big Show and Kane should pick up the win on this at all. They do not need it.
Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks vs. Naomi and Tamina
Pick: Becky/Sasha
First off, mini Team BAE reunion anyone? We know what these women are capable of in the ring, especially in a tag match so even if it’s a short match, we know we’re going to get some amazing spots. Tamina is heavily underrated, Naomi is still one of these most athletic Divas on the roster and I love having been able to watch her grow in the ring.
I fully expect that the aforemention women will dominate a majority of the match, working Becky since Sasha has been and still is heavily protected. But when she does come in, she will come in hot and if they are going to push for her and Charlotte for the belt at ‘Mania (unless they do a triple threat), she most likely will get a clean pin and it’ll be on Naomi to effectively end the angle. It’s the aftermath that’s going to get interesting.
A.J Styles vs Chris Jericho
Pick: A.J. Styles
Ah, yes! Finally! We’re going to see the end of this angle, and I’m guessing we’re going to get a good 15-20 minutes from these guys. No doubt that this is going to be a stiff match, given that they both are familiar with each other’s background since both have done extensive work in Japan. Some of the awkwardness that surfaced in the previous matches will have worked itself out for this final showing.
Jericho is brought in now to put talent over, so there absolutely no reason for this to continue beyond tonight. Honestly, after this, I’d like to see respects paid in the ring and for possibly Kevin Owens to come out and attack or maybe just taunt Styles. They’ve given hints already that they’re setting up for a feud, so let’s start now.
Kevin Owens vs. Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental Championship
Pick: Kevin Owens
In the aforementioned prediction, I mentioned Owens. Here, I’ll explain why I did. Now, they’ve been doing a good job of setting up a nice little feud with Ziggler, and having Ziggler pull a few wins. While he’s a fan favorite, I think with this, they’re going to start to establish that they intend on having Owens be a dominating force in the company. To do so, he’s got to retain, and he’s going to fight dirty. He prides himself a prizefighter, so he’ll scrap to keep the belt as losing more than just simply losing a belt. They were going hot with Owens for the longest time and then it just sputtered out. By retaining, he can get that edge back and get back on the right track.
Plus, sadly, we’re all used to seeing Ziggler lose. It comes as no surprise. Really, this is just a filler match while they work out the kinks to set up the major ‘Mania angle.
However, as I mentioned, they’ve given hints of a possible Styles/Owens feud. The dirt sheets ran rampant with the rumors right from the start, stating it was slated for ‘Mania and that Jericho was going to be Styles’ kick off angle. What I’m seeing happening over the next few weeks is that they will start the Owens/Styles angle with the end game being that Styles will actually win the Intercontinental Belt off Owens.
Charlotte vs Brie Bella for the Divas Championship
Pick: Charlotte
First off, we’ve established Charlotte as the solid dirty heel, true to Flair tradition. Expect that Ric will affect the outcome. Two, being that Brie went public on GMA with her intentions to retire soon, one would think that they may give her the belt as a sort of going away gift.
Honestly, I find that in poor taste as it cheapens the value of a title that represents a division that has long been on shaky ground. Also, though Charlotte may be the de facto heel in this, there is the potential for a backlash from fans were they to give the belt to Brie. We’re all expecting Charlotte and Sasha to battle for the title on April 3rd. Two, literally the only reason Brie is getting any love from the crowd is because of her husband retiring. In the past two years, any face push from Brie utilizes Daniel Bryan’s popularity but it never seems to last long. The Bellas have never been well received from the crowd as faces and I don’t expect Brie’s current situation to change that. Just because she’s leaving soon doesn’t mean she deserves the title as a consolation prize.
Dean Ambrose vs Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar, winner faces Triple H for the WWE World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania
Pick: Roman Reigns
I imagine jaws just hit the ground right now that one of the biggest Ambrose fangirls on the planet just picked someone else to win.
Do I think Ambrose is ready for the belt? Absolutely. Maybe even more ready than Roman, who is far more ready now than he was this time last year. But despite all the attempted swerving they’re attempting to do with him dropping the IC belt and Trips and Lesnar having a staredown at the end of Smackdown, we all know Roman is most likely going to win.
I want him to win and go on to face Trips for the belt so we can finally see this push pay off. I want to see all the time and effort they’ve poured into him not be wasted. I want him to get his WrestleMania moment. By having either of the other men win here and then win in April, all that work will have been wasted.
It’s how they’ll pull this off and not cause Roman to become the inadvertent bad guy that I can’t predict. If Roman pins Dean, he absolutely will gain unwanted heat. He has to pin Brock and it has to be clean. Not only does that prevent Ambrose from eating yet another pin and going for the rift that they’re trying to establish in storyline, but it gives Roman the angle closure he never got last year with Lesnar. It also has the potential to establish him as a strong, capable competitor who doesn’t have to rely on his brother or anyone to see a fight through.
In a bit of dream booking, honestly, I’d like to see a clean pin on Lesnar from Reigns, and then post match have Ambrose finally snap and flip out on everyone and go after Roman, who may only fight back because of self-defense. It’ll satisfy The Authority because they’ll think they’ve finally isolated Roman. Let Ambrose and Reigns go at it for a few weeks, much to Trips and Steph’s delight, with Ambrose begging for another chance. Trips could humor him with a match against Reigns at ‘Mania with the winner going on to the main event, more or less as a placating move. Let those two battle it out and let it be an all out war. Do not let Roman win it easy and don’t Superman him. Let it be a clean pin to establish that he absolutely IS the dominating force between the two and also it shows that he can stand on his own two feet and doesn’t need anyone to make him “look strong”. How they handle the fallout, remains to be seen. I’d like to see a begrudging show of respect but let there still be animosity so they can set up for a future feud between Ambrose and Reigns for the belt, with Ambrose being the victor.
We’ve got a few hours before show time. What do you guys think? Give us your predictions in the comments below.
