Three months after losing a Firefly Inferno match to Randy Orton, “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt re-emerged with a new look at Fastlane.
The Fiend returned to WWE programming by helping Alexa Bliss defeat Orton at Fastlane tonight. The Fiend broke through the ring during the match and stared Orton down. With Orton’s attention turned to The Fiend, Bliss jumped off the middle rope and pushed Orton into a Sister Abigail from The Fiend. Bliss then pinned Orton to get the win.
The Fiend was wearing a new mask and gear tonight that had supposedly been burnt when Orton lit him on fire in their Firefly Inferno match at December’s TLC pay-per-view.
In the months since TLC, Bliss has been tormenting Orton in storyline. Bliss said that if Orton wanted her out of his life, he’d have to take her out of it at Fastlane. Orton wasn’t able to get his hands on Bliss in tonight’s match. Bliss used fire during the match and made a piece of lighting equipment fall, almost hitting Orton. As part of him being tormented by Bliss, Orton was also coughing up black liquid before the match started.
Elias replaced Shane McMahon for his match against Braun Strowman tonight at Fastlane.
During the pre-show, it was announced that Shane McMahon had suffered a leg injury while training for tonight’s match. After he left the trainer’s room in a backstage segment on pay-per-view, he ran into Elias and Jaxson Ryker. Elias told Shane that he wanted to hold a concert at WrestleMania. This led to a situation later in the pay-per-view where Elias started to perform in front of Shane McMahon. Shane then told Elias he would be facing Strowman in his place. Strowman then arrived as Shane left.
The match didn’t last long, as Strowman pinned Elias with a running powerslam.
Shane McMahon and Elias have been feuding for the last month, with the story being that Shane is bullying Strowman by calling him stupid. In a confrontation during Raw last week, Shane attacked Strowman with a television camera, then took out two buckets of slime and poured it on Strowman.
WWE’s Peacock era begins tonight with the final pay-per-view before WrestleMania 37.
Tonight’s Fastlane PPV will be headlined by Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan facing off for the Universal Championship. Edge, who will challenge for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania, will be the special guest enforcer for the match.
Drew McIntyre and Sheamus will meet in a no-holds-barred match tonight. McIntyre is set to challenge for Bobby Lashley’s WWE Championship at WrestleMania.
Ahead of Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair’s SmackDown Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania, they’ll team up and challenge for Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler’s WWE Women’s Tag Team titles tonight. Alexa Bliss vs. Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Seth Rollins, Big E vs. Apollo Crews for the Intercontinental Championship, and Riddle vs. Mustafa Ali for the United States Championship are also set for Fastlane. Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon was announced for the PPV but isn’t currently being advertised on WWE.com.
Tonight’s PPV will be the first WWE event to stream live on Peacock. It will also be the final WWE PPV to air on the standalone WWE Network in the United States. The pre-show starts at 6 p.m. Eastern time, with the main card then starting at 7 p.m. Eastern. Jax & Baszler vs. Banks & Belair will open the main card.
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Pre-Show Recap
Kayla Braxton introduced the Fastlane panel members Booker T, Jerry Lawler, and Pete Rosenberg. Braxton explained how to sign up for the WWE Network on Peacock.
The panel ran down the line up for tonight. They aired a video for Drew McIntryre against Sheamus that highlighted their 20-year friendship and feud.
The panel discussed WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler against Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair. They showed footage of Baszler kicking Jax in the face on SmackDown. Both teams are having problems. The panel also discussed Banks defending against Belair at WrestleMania 37.
The panel turned their attention to the Randy Orton and Alexa Bliss feud. Sonya Deville joined the panel to discuss Intercontinental Champion Big E against Apollo Crews.
They recapped Shane McMahon putting Braun Strowman through the announce table and then dumping slime on him on Raw last Monday. Braxton reported that McMahon injured his knee earlier today. They showed a still image of McMahon holding on to his knee in pain.
In the back, Sarah Schreiber was standing in front of the Doctor/Trainer room. She noted she’s waiting to get an update on McMahon’s injury. The panel treated the injury seriously and thought McMahon shouldn’t compete with an injury.
They recapped the Seth Rollins and Shinsuke Nakamura feud.
Kevin Patrick interviewed Seth Rollins in the back. Rollins was wearing an incredibly flashy suit that words can’t do justice. Rollins welcomed Patrick to the WWE and bragged about his suit. He mocked Cesaro and promised to defeat Nakamura later.
United States Champion Riddle defeated Mustafa Ali (w/Retribution) to retain the title
Riddle and Ali had a good pre-show match.
They recapped Riddle beating Ali on Raw to retain the title. After the match, Ali was furious that he lost and blamed Retribution.
Riddle took Ali down and hit a series of knees for the early advantage. He followed up with a gut-wrench suplex and broton for a near fall. Riddle attempted a second broton, but Ali got his feet up to take over.
Ali sent Riddle into the ring post and yelled at Retribution at ringside. Ali slowed the pace down and targeted Riddle’s ribs. Riddle attempted the Bro Derek, but Ali slipped out the back and hit a dropkick.
Ali regained control but seemed to injure his knee. He then hit a rolling backstabber for a close near fall. In a cool spot, Ali went from a running neck breaker, but Riddle reversed into a submission.
Riddle hit a powerbomb into the final flash for a near fall. Ali attempted a tornado DDT, but Riddle rolled through and hit a fisherman buster. Ali fought back and locked on the koji clutch.
The finish came when Riddle climbed to the top rope, but Ali cut him off. Riddle fought back and hit Bro Derek off the second turnbuckle for the win.
After the match, Retribution tried to help Ali, but he started yelling at them. Reckoning stepped forward, and Ali got in her face. He demanded she get back in line, but she walked away instead.
Slapjack walked off as well. Ali yelled at Mace and T-Bar and blamed them for his loss. Mace and T-Bar had enough and gave Ali a double chokeslam.
The panel discussed Universal Champion Roman Reigns defending against Daniel Bryan with Edge as enforcer referee.
Main Show
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler (w/Reginald) defeated Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair to retain the titles
This was a good match. The story of the match was both teams teasing dissension.
They recapped Banks and Belair’s argument from SmackDown. Michael Cole noted both teams are having problems with each other.
Both teams argued with each other before the match started. Banks and Belair worked over Baszler for the early advantage. Belair hit a head-spring moonsault for a near fall.
Baszler and Belair seemed lost at one point, and they just stopped running in the middle of a spot. They quickly recovered, and Baszler rocked Beliar with a knee to the face. Baszler went to stomp on Belair’s elbow, but Jax made a blind tag.
Banks and Belair worked together, and Banks hit a hurricanrana on Jax. The heels took over when Baszler caused a distraction, and Jax knocked Belair off the apron.
Baszler slowed the pace down and locked on a submission. The heels isolated Belair on their side of the ring and cut her off from her corner. Belair fought back, and Banks got the hot tag.
Banks ran wild and hit a Tornado DDT on Baszler for a near fall. Belair then hit a 450 Splash, but Reginald jumped on the apron.
Banks tagged back in and locked on the Bank Statement on Baszler. Belair jumped in the ring to stop Jax from breaking up the submission. Jax pushed Belair onto Banks to break up the submission anyway.
Belair and Banks started to argue and yell at each other. Banks pushed Belair and called her a rookie. Belair started to leave the ring when Baszler rolled up Banks for the win.
After the match, Banks and Belair continued to argue. Banks then slapped Belair across the face and left. Belair was in shock but looked up at the WrestleMania sign.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves discussed Shane McMahon injuring his knee earlier today. McMahon walked out of the trainer’s room on a crutch with ice on his knee.
Elias and Jaxson Ryker approached McMahon. Elias wanted to discuss his pitch for a performance at WrestleMania 37. He mentioned making Bad Bunny look bad. McMahon has an idea he wants to talk about with them.
Intercontinental Champion Big E defeated Apollo Crews to retain the title
Crews and Big E had a good hard-hitting match until the finish. The finish was a bit messy and confusing.
They charged at each other and traded shots in the middle of the ring at the start. Big E speared Crews off the apron to the floor and followed up with a splash on the apron.
Big E was firmly in control and taunted Crews. He followed up with a second splash on the apron. Big E then gave Crews two belly-to-belly suplexes across the ring. He attempted a splash in the corner, but Crews attacked Big E’s knee.
Crews took over and hit three rolling German suplexes. He stomped on Big E and hit a frog splash for a near fall. Crews attempted a standing moonsault, but Big E got his knees up.
Big E missed a charge in the corner and went shoulder first into the ring post. Crews attempted a powerbomb, but Big E slipped out the back.
Big E attempted the Big Ending, but Crews avoided the move.
The finish came out of nowhere. Big E attempted an inside cradle, but Crews attempted to reverse. During the reversal, Big E appeared to pin Crews. Cole and Graves were confused by the finish as well.
After the match, Crews attacked Big E and hit a series of Angle Slams.
In the back, Joseph Average was selling Old Spice when Tozawa approached looking for 24/7 Champion R-Truth. Truth was hiding in the display case. Average ended up pinning Truth, but Truth won the title back.
They showed footage of Shane McMahon injuring his knee earlier today while practicing his jumping knees.
McMahon then introduced Elias for a concert. McMahon came out on a crutch and announced that Elias is taking his place tonight. Elias was surprised to find out he was facing Braun Strowman.
Braun Strowman defeated Elias (w/Jaxson Ryker)
This was basically a squash match. Strowman dominated Elias and easily won.
Strowman beat down Elias and had the early advantage. Ryker tried to help Elias, but it backfired. Strowman ran around ringside and knocked Elias onto the barricade.
Ryker distracted Strowman, and Elias briefly took over with a DDT. He hit an elbow off the top rope for a near fall. Strowman rocked Elias with a hard clothesline to regain control. Strowman then hit the running power slam for the win.
They recapped Retribution turning on Mustafa Ali during the pre-show.
In the back, Riddle was riding around on his scooter. He approached Shinsuke Nakamura and wished him luck with his match later. Riddle told a story, but Nakamura hid until Riddle walked away.
Seth Rollins defeated Shinsuke Nakamura
Rollins and Nakamura had a good match. They started at a slow pace, but it picked up towards the end.
They recapped Seth Rollins feud with Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Nakamura had the early advantage, but Rollins quickly took over. He rocked Nakamura with a series of knees. Rollins followed up with a backbreaker for a near fall.
Rollins slowed the pace down and hit a knee drop for a near fall. Rollins continued to beat down Nakamura and started yelling about Cesaro giving him the giant swing.
Rollins teased giving Nakamura the giant swing. Nakamura fought back and went for an armbar, but Rollins made it to the ropes. Nakamura took over and hit a sliding dropkick on Rollins. He followed up with a knee on the apron.
Nakamura hit a huge knee in the corner for another near fall. Nakamura attempted the knee off the second turnbuckle, but Rollins knocked him to the floor. He followed up with a suicide dive.
Rollins hit a springboard knee to the face and the sling blade for a near fall. Rollins attempted the buckle bomb, but Nakamura escaped and hit a kick to the head. Nakamura followed up with a sliding German suplex.
Nakamura went for the Kinshasa, but Rollins countered with the buckle bomb. He followed up with the falcon’s arrow for a near fall. Rollins attempted the curb stomp, but Nakamura avoided the move.
Rollins went for a running knee, but Nakamura ducked. Rollins countered by hooking his leg on Nakamura’s and delivered a kick to the back of the head. Rollins then hit the curb stomp for the win.
The Raw commentators briefly discussed Rhea Ripley debuting tomorrow night.
No Holds Barred Match: Drew McIntrye defeated Sheamus
McIntrye and Sheamus had a really good hard-hitting, and brutal match. They both had bruises and deep cuts all over their backs when it was over.
They wasted no time and started trading shots. McIntrye caught Sheamus with a belly-to-belly suplex and sent him to the floor with a clothesline.
Sheamus fought back and sent McIntrye into the barricade.
McIntrye recovered and hit a belly-to-belly suplex on the floor. McIntrye cleared off the announce table and pulled out kendo sticks from under the ring. Sheamus jumped McIntrye and sent him into the ring post.
McIntrye hit another belly-to-belly suplex on the floor and threw Sheamus into the steps. Sheamus rocked McIntrye with a knee as he entered the ring.
Sheamus took over and hit McIntrye with a kendo stick several times. McIntrye fought back and rocked Sheamus with the Glasgow kiss.
McIntrye grabbed the kendo stick and hit Sheamus in the back. He then tried jabbing the kendo stick into Sheamus’ eye. The kendo stick shots left deep cuts on both of their backs.
Sheamus rolled to the floor. McIntrye charged at Sheamus, but he moved and sent him into the steps. They fought on top of the announce desk. McIntrye attempted the Future Shock DDT, but Sheamus avoided it.
Micintrye threw Sheamus off the table into the barricade. They brawled around the ThunderDome into the stands. McIntrye attempted a suplex, but Sheamus countered with a suplex. They fought on the platforms in front of the screens. Sheamus took over after hitting a rolling senton on the platform.
Sheamus set up for another rolling senton, but McIntrye broke free. He then threw Sheamus, and he crashed into the screens, which exploded with sparks flying everywhere.
McIntyre placed Sheamus on a box and rolled him back to ringside. McIntyre then gave Sheamus a suplex on the floor again.
McIntrye tried to carry Sheamus back to the ring, but Sheamus poked him in the eyes. Sheamus then hit the Brogue Kick, and McIntrye flew over the barricade.
Sheamus yelled at McIntrye that he should be in the WrestleMania main event. Sheamus then gave McIntyre white noise off the barricade through the announce table. Sheamus shoved McIntrye back in the ring and grabbed a piece of the announce desk.
The finish came when Sheamus attempted the Alabama Slam on the piece of the table, but McIntrye countered into the Future Shock DDT. McIntrye then hit the Claymore Kick for the win.
Alexa Bliss defeated Randy Orton
This wasn’t a match and more of an angle to set up the return of The Fiend. They did a bunch of special effects moments like a bad horror movie.
Orton came out first and posed on the turnbuckle as he always does. Suddenly, Orton started to cough up the black ooze again. He grabbed a towel and demanded that Bliss come to the ring.
Bliss laughed at Orton as she made her entrance. The lights turned purple for the match. Orton walked towards Bliss, but suddenly flames appeared in the ring out of nowhere.
Orton backed off but then charged at Bliss. She moved, and he went shoulder-first into the ring post. Bliss laughed at Orton some more.
Orton followed Bliss around ringside, but she suddenly stopped. She looked up, and the lighting rig fell and almost landed on Orton.
Bliss laughed and challenged Orton to get in the ring. Bliss blew a kiss at Orton. He got upset and charged towards her, but she hit him with a fireball.
Orton went down, but the commentators claimed Orton blocked the fireball. Bliss sat on the top turnbuckle and stared at Orton.
Suddenly, The Fiend came through a hole in the ring. Flames came out of the hole, and then The Fiend emerged. The Fiend’s mask is melted and deformed looking because Orton set him on fire at TLC.
Orton backed off, but Bliss pushed him into The Fiend. The Fiend then hit Sister Abigal, and Bliss covered Orton for the win.
Universal Champion Roman Reigns (w/Paul Heyman) defeated Daniel Bryan to retain the title
Special Ringside Enforcer: Edge
Bryan and Reigns had a really good match that told a good story. They worked at a slow pace, but it picked up towards the end.
Reigns backed Bryan in the corner and rocked him with a hard chop. Bryan fought back and attempted a kneebar.
He taunted Reigns and continued to target the legs.
Bryan attempted an armbar, but Reigns quickly broke free. Bryan hit a series of kicks to the legs again, but Reigns countered with a side headlock.
Bryan slipped out of the headlock and worked over Reigns shoulder and hand. Reigns regained control and backed Bryan in the corner.
Bryan fought back and caught Reigns with a dropkick.
Bryan went back to attacking Reigns’ arm and leg. Reigns briefly took over, but Bryan fought back. Bryan ran up the corner and charged at Reigns, but he countered with a backbreaker.
Reigns looked over at Edge as he beat down Bryan. He followed up with a suplex for a near fall. Reigns slowed the pace down with a chin lock.
Bryan broke free, but Reigns knocked him to the floor. Reigns beat Bryan around ringside and looked over at Edge again.
Reigns charged at Bryan, but he moved, and Reigns crashed into the corner. Bryan recovered and hit a running dropkick in the corner. He attempted a hurricanrana off the top rope but Reigns reversed into a Boston crab.
Bryan fought back and rolled up Reigns for a near fall. Bryan sent Reigns to the floor and attempted a plancha. Reigns countered into a slam and picked Bryan up.
Bryan slipped out the back and pushed him into the ring post. He followed up with a knee of the apron to regain control.
Bryan hit a missile dropkick for a near fall. He rocked Reigns with a series of kicks, but Reigns backed him into the corner. Reigns attempted a powerbomb, but Bryan reversed into a hurricanrana. He followed up with a kick to the head for a near fall.
Bryan stomped on Reigns face and transitioned into the Yes Lock. Reigns almost made it to the ropes, but Bryan rolled to the middle of the ring and reapplied the Yes Lock.
Reigns broke free and hit a powerbomb for a two-count. Reigns attempted a spear, but Bryan caught him with a kick to the face. Suddenly, the referee was standing directly behind Reigns.
Bryan went for the running knee but Reigns moved, and he hit the referee. Reigns then hit the spear on Bryan. Corey Graves noted there’s no referee. Edge eventually jumped in the ring, but Bryan kicked out.
Reigns and Edge briefly argued. Reigns attacked Bryan, but Bryan reversed into the Yes Lock again. Jey Uso ran out and rocked Edge with a superkick. He caught Bryan with a superkick as well.
Uso grabbed a chair and sent Edge into the ring post. Uso tried to hit Bryan with the chair, but he avoided it. Bryan got the chair and beat down Uso with it. He noticed the referee was down, so he went to hit Reigns with the chair. Reigns moved, and Bryan hit Edge in the shoulder with the chair.
Reigns charged at Bryan, but Bryan applied the Yes Lock again. Reigns eventually tapped out, but there was no referee. Edge grabbed the chair and attacked both Bryan and Reigns.
Edge was furious and yelled that the title shot is his at WrestleMania. Edge stormed off in a rage. Eventually, Reigns crawled over to Bryan and pinned him for the win.
A new match has been confirmed for Sunday’s Fastlane pay-per-view.
On SmackDown tonight, it was announced that Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Seth Rollins will take place at Fastlane. Rollins has been feuding with Nakamura’s tag team partner Cesaro since returning to SmackDown last month.
Rollins cut a promo on SmackDown tonight and claimed that Cesaro is jealous of him. Rollins said Cesaro is jealous of the fact that Rollins is successful at everything he does and is loved everywhere he goes. Rollins said that while he’s a WrestleMania main eventer, Cesaro is an abject failure. Rollins mocked Cesaro and said Cesaro will never disrespect or embarrass him again. Rollins called Cesaro the biggest waste of potential in WWE history.
Nakamura then came out to the ring and confronted Rollins on SmackDown tonight. Nakamura took the microphone from Rollins and told him to shut up. Rollins went to attack Nakamura, but Nakamura dropped him with a kick. Rollins bailed from the ring but was then laid out with a Kinshasa after he went back in.
After Cesaro defeated Murphy on SmackDown last week, Rollins attacked Cesaro and laid him out with two curb stomps. Rollins and Nakamura had a staredown when Rollins went backstage after that attack.
Rollins returned to WWE programing as an entrant in this January’s men’s Royal Rumble match. it was his first appearance since going on paternity leave in November. Rollins (real name Colby Lopez) and Becky Lynch (Rebecca Quin) welcomed the birth of their daughter Roux in December.
Nakamura and Rollins previously faced off against each other at Survivor Series 2018. Rollins defeated Nakamura in that match.
Though WWE has stopped advertising Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon for Fastlane online, that match was still listed when WWE ran down the card for the PPV on SmackDown tonight. Here’s the updated lineup for the PPV:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Daniel Bryan (Edge will be the special guest enforcer for the match)
No holds barred match: Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus
Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler defend against SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair
Intercontinental Champion Big E defends against Apollo Crews
United States Champion Riddle defends against Mustafa Ali
A stipulation has been added to Drew McIntyre and Sheamus’ match at Fastlane.
WWE has announced that McIntyre vs. Sheamus at Fastlane will now be a no holds barred match. McIntyre vs. Sheamus had been made official for Fastlane earlier this week, but the no holds barred stipulation wasn’t announced until now.
Fastlane is airing live on Peacock and the WWE Network this Sunday.
McIntyre and Sheamus faced off in a no disqualification match on Raw last week, but the match ended in a no contest when they were both laid out after charging at each other while wielding steel steps. That no DQ match was made after Sheamus attacked McIntyre during a backstage interview earlier in the night. McIntyre had defeated Sheamus on Raw the previous week.
McIntyre challenging for Bobby Lashley’s WWE Championship is set for WrestleMania 37. Lashley defeated Sheamus on Raw this week but was dropped by a Claymore from McIntyre after the match. McIntyre and Sheamus had a staredown to close the episode.
Here’s the updated card for Fastlane:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Daniel Bryan (Edge will be the special guest enforcer for the match)
No holds barred match: Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus
Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler defend against SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair
Intercontinental Champion Big E defends against Apollo Crews
United States Champion Riddle defends against Mustafa Ali
At Fastlane this Sunday, Shane McMahon will have his first official match since 2019.
WWE has announced that Braun Strowman vs. Shane will take place at this Sunday’s Fastlane pay-per-view. Strowman wasn’t included in last month’s WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match and has been feuding with Shane since then. Shane has mocked Strowman and called him stupid in recent weeks.
On Raw last week, Strowman demanded an apology from Shane. Strowman and WWE authority figure Adam Pearce had lost a Raw Tag Team title match the previous week after Shane urged Strowman to tag Pearce in. Shane initially apologized to Strowman but said nothing else. Later in the show, Strowman went looking for Shane after Shane mocked him. Strowman thought that Shane sped away in a car, but it was revealed that Shane never got into it.
Strowman then challenged Shane to a match on tonight’s Raw. Shane continued to make fun of Strowman and accepted the challenge. But the match never got underway after Shane stalled and Strowman went after him. Strowman went to hit a charge on Shane, but Shane grabbed a cameraman’s camera and used it to hit Strowman. Shane gave Strowman an elbow drop from the top rope through the announce table. Shane then poured buckets of green slime on Strowman.
WWE is also promoting that Alexa Bliss vs. Randy Orton will take place at Fastlane. Bliss said on Raw tonight that if Orton wants Bliss out of his life so badly, he’s going to have to take her out of it. Bliss said Orton will have the chance at Fastlane. Bliss asked him if he’s going to take it. Orton responded later on tonight’s Raw and said kicking Bliss out of his life is exactly what he’s going to do at Fastlane.
Bliss has been tormenting Orton since he defeated “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt in their Firefly Inferno match at December’s TLC PPV.
Here’s the updated card for Fastlane:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Daniel Bryan (Edge and Jey Uso are facing each other on SmackDown this Friday to determine the special guest enforcer for the match)
Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus
Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler defend against SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair
Intercontinental Champion Big E defends against Apollo Crews
Before he challenges for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 37, Drew McIntyre will be in action at Fastlane.
WWE has announced that McIntyre vs. Sheamus will take place at this Sunday’s Fastlane pay-per-view. The show is airing live on Peacock and the WWE Network.
Sheamus turned against McIntyre last month and wanted a one-on-one match for the WWE Championship, but an Elimination Chamber match for the title was instead announced. Sheamus pinned McIntyre to win a gauntlet match leading into the PPV. McIntyre retained the WWE Championship in the Elimination Chamber match but was then attacked by Bobby Lashley. The Miz then cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase to win the WWE Championship from McIntyre. On Raw two weeks ago, Lashley defeated Miz in a lumberjack match for the title.
Also on Raw two weeks ago, McIntyre made his first appearance since Elimination Chamber. He defeated Sheamus in a one-on-one match. McIntyre was attacked by Sheamus during a backstage segment last week, which led to them facing each other in a no disqualification match later in the night. The match ended in a no contest after McIntyre and Sheamus both charged at each other while wielding steel steps.
It was confirmed on Raw tonight that Lashley will defend his WWE Championship against McIntyre at WrestleMania 37.
Here’s the updated card for Fastlane:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Daniel Bryan (Edge and Jey Uso are facing each other on SmackDown this Friday to determine the special guest enforcer for the match)
Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus
Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler defend against SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair
Intercontinental Champion Big E defends against Apollo Crews
An Intercontinental title match has been made official for Fastlane.
WWE announced tonight that Big E will defend his Intercontinental title against Apollo Crews at Fastlane. The pay-per-view is taking place on Sunday, March 21 and will air live on Peacock and the WWE Network.
On SmackDown three weeks ago, Big E was stretchered out as part of an angle where Crews attacked him with the steel steps. Big E had told Crews that he had already gotten enough chances and wasn’t going to get another shot at Big E’s Intercontinental title.
Big E returned to SmackDown tonight for the first time since Crews’ attack. Big E called Crews out and agreed to give him a title match, but Crews didn’t come to the ring. Big E then issued an Intercontinental title open challenge that was answered by Sami Zayn.
Big E retained the Intercontinental title against Zayn but was attacked by Crews after the match. Crews gave Big E two Angle slams and hit him with the steel steps. In a post-show interview, Crews was asked why he didn’t accept Big E’s challenge for a title match tonight. Crews said he doesn’t cater to Big E and will face him at Fastlane instead.
Crews has recently undergone a character change where he’s embraced his Nigerian heritage and has claimed to be a descendent of Nigerian royalty.
Here’s the updated card for Fastlane:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Daniel Bryan (Edge and Jey Uso are facing each other on SmackDown next week to determine the special guest enforcer for the match)
Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler defend against SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair
Intercontinental Champion Big E defends against Apollo Crews
Daniel Bryan is getting another shot at the Universal Championship.
Bryan will challenge for Roman Reigns’ Universal Championship at Fastlane on Sunday, March 21. The pay-per-view will air live on the WWE Network and Peacock.
The Universal Championship match was confirmed for Fastlane when Bryan defeated Jey Uso in a steel cage match in the main event of tonight’s SmackDown. If Bryan lost, he wouldn’t have gotten the title shot and would have had to acknowledge Reigns as the tribal chief, the head of the table, and the best wrestler on the planet.
Bryan and Uso’s steel cage match was made after a match between them on SmackDown last week ended in a double countout.
At last month’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, Bryan won SmackDown’s Elimination Chamber match but then immediately had to face Reigns for the Universal Championship. Reigns broke out of the Yes Lock and quickly won when Bryan passed out in a guillotine.
The winner of Reigns vs. Bryan will defend the Universal Championship against Edge at WrestleMania 37. In storyline, Edge wasn’t happy with Bryan getting a title shot before he faces Reigns. WWE claimed on television that the original plan for Fastlane was Bryan & Edge facing Reigns & Uso in a tag team match.
Reigns vs. Bryan is the second match that’s been announced for Fastlane. SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair will also challenge for Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler’s Women’s Tag Team titles at the PPV.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair are set to team up again on the road to their title match at WrestleMania.
WWE has announced that Banks & Belair will challenge for Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler’s Women’s Tag Team titles at Fastlane on Sunday, March 21. The pay-per-view will stream live on the WWE Network and Peacock.
This is the first match that’s been announced for Fastlane.
Jax & Baszler retained their titles against Banks & Belair at Elimination Chamber last month. The finish of that match was Jax pinning Banks after Banks was distracted by Carmella’s sommelier Reginald. Reginald, who is infatuated with Banks in storyline, tried to give Banks a champagne bottle to use as a weapon, but Banks refused to use it. Jax then gave Banks a Samoan drop to get the win.
Women’s Royal Rumble winner Belair officially declared on SmackDown last week that she’s challenging for Banks’ SmackDown Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 37.
Jax & Baszler are two-time Women’s Tag Team Champions. They regained the titles by defeating Charlotte Flair & Asuka on January’s Royal Rumble pre-show. On NXT this week, Jax & Baszler retained against Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez after WWE authority figure Adam Pearce got involved in the match. Following a ref bump, Pearce brought a Raw referee out to the ring. Despite Kai not being the legal person, the Raw referee called for the bell when she passed out in Baszler’s Kirifuda Clutch.
Naomi & Lana are also in line to get a Women’s Tag Team title shot at some point.
A singles match between Belair and Baszler has been announced for this Friday’s episode of SmackDown.
During Sunday’s Elimination Chamber broadcast, WWE advertised that next month’s Fastlane pay-per-view will be available on both WWE Network and Peacock, indicating the Network might not be migrated over by the original announced March 18th date.
While the Sunday, March 21st event was set to be the first PPV of the Peacock era, the original go-live date for the Network on Peacock was Thursday, March 18th. A further indication of a change in date is WWE’s other Sunday announcement that WrestleMania will be “exclusively” on Peacock.
In late-January, WWE and NBCU announced that the Network was moving exclusively onto the Peacock streaming service in the U.S. Industry reports have the deal at five years and more than $1 billion. All current U.S.-based Network subscribers are to be migrated over to Peacock at $4.99 per month for the service with ads and $9.99 per month for an ad-free version with Comcast and Cox cable subscribers getting Peacock for free.
WWE has officially confirmed an addition to its pay-per-view calendar.
As part of the announcement of Peacock becoming the exclusive home of the WWE Network in the United States starting in March, it was confirmed that Fastlane will take place on Sunday, March 21. The WWE Network is launching on Peacock on Thursday, March 18, with Fastlane being the first PPV of the Peacock era.
The WWE Network-Peacock deal includes all WWE PPVs being available on Peacock live and on demand. “WWE Network, including all PPVs, will be available on Peacock Premium for $4.99 [per month] – a $5.00/month savings-where members will enjoy access to the entire WWE and Peacock catalog, more than 47,000 hours of premium programming. For an ad-free experience, Peacock Premium Plus will be available for $9.99,” Peacock and WWE announced.
Peacock is NBCUniversal’s streaming service.
Fastlane is taking place just three weeks before WrestleMania 37. It was revealed earlier this month that WrestleMania 37 will be a two-night event, with it being held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11.
The Royal Rumble is taking place this coming Sunday (January 31). After that, Elimination Chamber will be held on Sunday, February 21.
After a year’s absence, Fastlane will reportedly return to WWE’s pay-per-view schedule on Sunday, March 21st according to PW Insider.
Set for the Thunderdome in Tampa, Florida, the event would round out the road to WrestleMania that kicks off in two weeks at the Royal Rumble.
On Saturday, WWE confirmed that this year’s WrestleMania will be held over two nights on April 10th and 11th at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, two weeks later than originally planned. On Friday, PW Insider reported that the Elimination Chamber will be held on Sunday, February 21st, a week earlier than planned.
WWE has yet to confirm the Fastlane return or the Chamber date.
Held in February or March since its 2015 inception, the last Fastlane event was in March 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio, headlined by The Shield (Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins) vs. Baron Corbin, Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley.
