Last PPV on The Road to WrestleMania, Fastlane will also the be last single-branded PPV. After WrestleMania, we’ll come back to a monthly routine 4-hour dual-branded PPVs. The stakes of this PPV are not very high, except for AJ Styles and Charlotte who will have to earn their spot on The Grandest Stage of Them All in multiple-person matches (well, everyone knows Ruby Riott has her own squad to support her…). The VultureHound team made their choices for the last SmackDown Live PPV. Here’s what the team thinks will happen.
Now, this is not to take away from AJ retaining at Fastlane, as previous fans of AJ and Nakamura know that they hold the keys to steal it all at the show of shows. However, John Cena’s appearance in the match is nothing more than a red herring. Dirt sheet rumours aside, the leader of the Cenation vs The Deadman is a licence to print money. And it once and for all puts to bed the never-ending rumour mill of will they, won’t they.
Let’s face it, we all know who is winning the SmackDown Women’s Championship, so I’ll just say that upon Charlotte’s successful defence, Asuka comes out and reveals that she wants her at WrestleMania. Conversely, I have no idea what’s going to happen to the SmackDown Tag Championship, I just hope it leads to The Usos getting to have a match on the main card at The Granddaddy of Them All. Finally. God, I hope they don’t drop the US Title on Orton just before Mania. I was a Orton apologist for a long time, but his feud with Bray last year broke me. But seeing as history follows patterns, I can see him leaving with the gold again. AJ to retain. As he should.
Victoria Tezangi’s Predictions
The match I’m predicting to steal the show this weekend is the tag team bout between the Usos and The New Day. We have seen these two teams deliver amazing match after amazing match and the standard has been set so high. This time round it’s more than the titles on the line, it’s the WrestleMania spotlight and while both teams deserve it, the slot is only big enough for one team. The New Day will certainly fit in some brilliant offense throughout the match and close calls will have fans on the edge of their seats but it’s the Usos for the win.
I’ve just got into single-branded PPVs and now we’re losing them again. With this being the last one, and the last PPV before WrestleMania, I’m expecting some surprises. One in particular. I think Asuka will appear to challenge Charlotte Flair for WrestleMania after Flair beats Ruby Riot. As for the rest – Nakamura over Rusev. Becky Lynch and Naomi to beat Carmella and Natalya. Orton to beat Roode. And AJ Styles to retain the title. Usos versus New Day is a coin toss, but it’s going to be great, again. I’d like the Usos to walk into WrestleMania as champions.
Steph Franchomme’s Predictions
I’m definitely not inspired by this PPV as too many things seem to be already set in stone. Yes, AJ Styles will face Shinsuke Nakamura at WrestleMania and, even if Sami Zayn made a statement on Tuesday, we’ll have our dream match at ‘Mania. Yes, Charlotte will stay Champion and face Asuka at ‘Mania. I suspect a lot of disqualifications as Jinder Mahal, The Riott Squad, Aiden English, Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin could interfere in four of the six matches of the card. I bet on Carmella and Natalya, Shinsuke Nakamura, Randy Orton, The New Day, Ruby Riott and AJ Styles. Even if no titles will change hands that night.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaUFHNkr9V8]