Welcome to the Fastlane Review for March 11, 2017. For all WWE pay-per-views, I will go over every match, share the highlights and quotes, and look ahead to the next show.
Tye Dillinger & Breezango vs. Mojo Rawley, Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin (Tye Dillinger & Breezango win by pinfall)
The crows was really into this match, a rarity for a kickoff match. There was some comedy and some hard hitting moves as well. Tye Dillinger was the star of this match, the crowd was yelling for him the whole time. The heels played their part perfectly, showing arrogance and finally letting that cost them the match. All of the men in this match, Dillinger needs a spot on Wrestlemania
Highlights: Fandango puts on wrestling headgear to challenge Chad Gable
Gable gets in the armature wrestling ready position. Tyler Breeze rides him like a horse
Grade: 8 out of 10
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Rusev (Nakamura wins by pinfall)
Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev decided on a match just last week. Given the little time for build, no one could have predicted the great match that followed. Rusev played more heel then normal and Nakamura looked at the top of his game. This is a rivalry that should be explored more after Wrestlemania. If this is the Nakamura who shows up in the main event, we might see the match of the year.
Highlights: Nakamura runs right into a superkick
Rusev makes Nakamura wait
Rusev hits a fallway slam
Grade: 9 out of 10
United States Champion Bobby Roode vs. Randy Orton(Orton wins by pinfall to become the New Untied States Champion)
This was a much slower match, but it made up for it by telling a very interesting story. Bobby Roode and Randy Orton seemed to have a counter for whatever the other threw at them. This was about two veterans who had studied each other and the one who would win would hit the big move at the right time. It was Orton, who now has ever title in the WWE. His next challenger will be Jinder Mahl, but Roode’s actions afterwards might be the signal for a heel turn
Highlights: A “Mirror Match” for the first six minutes. Both men hit the same moves on each other.
Orton takes hard chops by Roode
Orton hits a superplex from the top rope
Roode jumps right into a RKO
Roode hit a Glorious DDT on Mahl, and then on Orton
Grade: 8 out of 10
Becky Lynch & Naomi vs. Natalya & Carmella (Carmella and Natalya win by pinfall)
Carmella needed this win. As the holder of the Money in the Bank, she must appear that she has a chance of winning. This match was all about how the two teams would work together. Natalya did a lot of the work, but Carmella was the one who won without any tricks. Becky Lynch and Naomi didn’t need to win to gain any momentum. They are two of the best wrestlers on the blue brand.
Highlights: Carmella pulls Naomi around the ring by her hair
Grade: 7 out of 10
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos vs. The New Day (No Contest)
This was all about the finish. As the New Day and the Usos were putting on their show, The Bludgeon Brothers appeared and began to destroy everything that moved. The New Day and The Usos did not fight back, as they were tired from fighting. The path of destruction left all five men in need of medical attention. Do the Bludgeon Brothers have the next shot at the Usos, or is a Triple Threat in the works?
Highlights: Both teams steal each other moves
The Bludgeon Brothers suplex both Usos, and then Eric Rowan suplexs Luke Harper on top of them
Rowan and Harper power bombs Xavier Woods and the steel steps
Grade: 8 out of 10
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair vs. Ruby Riott (Charlotte win by submission)
This was probably the match of the night up to this moment. Having never seen Ruby Riott on a long match by herself, she impressed everyone. Her moves are not orthodox and that’s what makes her special. She seems to make up moves as she goes along. Charlotte was up to the challenge, and these two gave it their all. After she made Ruby tap out, Charlotte was greeted by Askua. This could be special.
Highlights: Most of Riott’s moves I don’t have a name for
Charlotte is thrown from the top rope onto the floor
Charlotte moonsaults from the barrier
Charlotte takes chest chops, and then shows Riott how it is done
Askua
Grade 10 out of 10
WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. John Cena vs. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler (Six-Pack Challenge Match) (Roman Reigns pinned Braun Strowman to win)
This was proabaly the best six-pack challenge I have ever seen. The action kept going while story lines played out. All six men who almost never in the ring at the same time. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are done being friends. Dolph Ziggler still has a lot in the tank. Baron Corbin needs to be this vicious all the time. AJ Styles deserves to be the main event. And John Cena will be at Wrestlemania, make no doubt.
Highlights: Cena AA’s everyone at the beginning except Styles
All five men descend on Cena
Corbin throws Ziggler threw plexiglass
Styles hits a pele kick on Owens on top of a table
Cena AA’s Styles through a table he was not standing on
Shane McMahon breaks up both Owens and Zayn’s pinning attempt
THE WHOLE DAMN MATCH
Grade 10 out of 10
Final Thoughts: This was a fantastic pay per-view from start to finish. The right people won and the crowd was red hot. Only the biggest stage is left and it’s shaping up to be a classic.
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