Welcome to the Fastlane review for March 21, 2021.
Riddle vs Mustafa Ali for the US Championship
This looked like Ali might have his last chance to avenge his losses to Riddle and add some gold in the process. Ali started off fast against the Original Bro, targeting his mid section. Riddle played a surprising amount of defense in this match, trying to mitigate the damage Ali was doing to him. Riddle hit a flurry of moves, ending with a Bro Derick from the mid rope to retain the US title. After the match, Ali berated Retribution for the last time and the group turned on him.
Riddle pinned Ali to retain US Championship.
Sasha Banks and Bianca Belar vs. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler for the WWE Tag Team Championship
Both teams faced each other last month, but now all four women have issues with their teammates and each other. For the most part, it was Banks and Belar using their strategy against the power of Jax and Baszler. A intervention from Reginald started a tide of miscommunications, ending with Baszler rolling up Banks while Jax stopped Belar from breaking it up.
Jax and Baszler pinned Banks and Belar to remain the Tag Team Champions.
Big E vs. Apollo Crews for the Intercontinental Championship.
It was time to see if Crew’s new attitude translated to new success in the ring. Both men looked revved up as Big E hit a spear through the ropes in the first minutes of the match. Crews waited for the right moment and used a mixture of power and speed to wear E down. At the end, Crews rolled up E, but E managed to shift his weight for the pin. Crews brutalized E after the match , promising it was not over.
Big E pinned Crews to retain the Intercontinental Championship
Brawn Strowman vs Elias.
Shane was injured before the show, so Elias was pushed into service, much to his surprise. Strowman just wanted to fight someone. Jax tried to stop him, but The Monster would not be denied. Elias chopped his knees and hit a flying elbow, but all it got him was a short two. A running powerslam ended things.
Strowman pinned Elias
Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
It’s been awhile since we have seen what Nakamura can do when he is feeling it and the opening parts of this match was a great reintroduction to The Artist. Seth was also feeling himself, attacking Nakamura but talking to Cesaro through the camera. After a great back and forth, Seth Rollins was able to get the pin
Rollins pinned Nakamura.
Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus (No Holds Barred)
These two have had brutal matches in normal matches, so who knows what was going to happen in this one. Both men wanted a piece of each other and soon weapons were brought into the fray. The fight spilled out into Tropicana Field with Drew getting the upper hand. Sheamus responded with White Noise through the announce table. Drew recovered and hit a Claymore for the win.
McIntyre pinned Sheamus
Randy Orton vs. Alexia Bliss
The biggest question mark of the night: What exactly was going to happen here? Randy still was coughing up the black goo, but still wanted to fight. Orton charged her, but Bliss dodged and Orton hit the post. Bliss used some supernatural powers to cause things to try and hit Orton. Suddenly, a charred and demonic looking Fiend rose from the ring and hit Sister Abagail. Bliss coved Orton for the pin.
Bliss pinned Orton
Daniel Bryan vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship (With Edge as Special Enforcer)
Bryan was looking to submit Reigns. Reigns was trying to beat respect into Bryan. Bryan stick and moved, waiting for Roman to make a mistake. Reigns hammered Bryan, but could not put him down. Bryan keep hitting, his speed and power seeming to get stronger as the match progressed. Bryan accidently knocked out the referee and Edge took over his duties. Jay interfered and this led to Roman tapping (unseen) and Edge attacking Bryan with a chair and walking out. Reigns covered Bryan for the pin.
Reigns pinned Bryan to retain the Universal Championship
Match of the Night
Bryan vs. Reigns : For a simple reason. Halfway through this match, I didn’t know who was going to win. And that makes it great.
Now, to Wrestlemania
