Grammar doesn’t count, and neither
do people who like to remind you that wrestling is fake. I’m the new wrestling
guy on The Brief (I think), and I’ll be writing these previews every month to
get our readers ready for every Pay Per View. I’m a life long fan and former
stock holder of the WWE so I’d like to think that my opinions mean something.
Enjoy my ramblings.
Here we are, about a month and a
half away from the Granddaddy of Them All! This coming Sunday, WWE Fastlane will
provide us with the last stop before WrestleMania and we’ll be tuning in to
watch plenty of feuds come to a close so we’ll be going into the home stretch
with a clean slate and plenty of possibilities. So without further ado, let’s
take a look at the card.
Match Order is Not Official…
Kalisto vs. Alberto Del Rio – 2 Out of 3 Falls Match for the
United States Championship
Match Moved to
Pre-Show
Alberto Del Rio’s return peaked at
Hell in a Cell when he was John Cena’s surprise opponent in the US Open
Challenge. In a brief, awkward match designed to free Cena of the belt so he
could go shoot American Grit, Del Rio won the title and a heel run as the champ
looked promising. He then joined forces with Seamus, Wade Barrett, and Rusev to
form the League of Nations (let’s all ignore his brief alliance with Zeb
Colter), and they had a quick moment in the spotlight as a heel faction against
Roman Reigns before they eventually became glorified jobbers to Reigns and
friends.
Eventually, Kalisto got the push we’ve all been waiting for when Sin Cara went down
and Mysterio 2.0 got a shot at the title. These two played a quick game of hot
potato with the belt when Kalisto won it on Raw just to lose it back to Del
Rio on the following Smackdown. Since then, there hasn’t been much storytelling
behind the feud but there have been some matches between the Lucha Dragons (Sin
Cara just returned) with a third partner and the League of Nations.
Prediction: Kalisto
Kane, Big Show, Ryback vs. The Wyatts
There
really isn’t much behind this match except for the fact that all three of The
Wyatt Family’s opponents have feuded with Bray’s Band of Brothers on separate
occasions. I’d expect this match to be a showcase of Bray’s three disciples in
a brawl between six of the biggest guys on the roster. Bray will probably
manage this one from the sidelines, but don’t be surprised if he gets involved
later in the night to pick his next victim. At the end of this match, I expect the Wyatts to be
standing tall over their opponents looking strong heading into WrestleMania.
Prediction: The Wyatts
Sasha Banks & Becky Lynch vs. Naomi & Tamina
The other
week on Raw, Sasha Banks asked for Team BAD’s permission for her to go chase
the Divas Championship. After what seemed like a peaceful agreement, Sasha was
attacked by her former sisters, only to be saved by Becky Lynch. This match
seems like more of a showcase for the plethora of Divas talent, specifically
Banks and Lynch, so expect the newcomers to come out of this one looking ready
for their shots at the Charlotte’s title heading into Mania. What is so big about this match is that we now have two divas matches on the card, which is unheard of considering neither of these are Bra and Panties matches.
Prediction: Sasha Banks & Becky Lynch
Chris Jericho vs. AJ Styles
Anyone else’s
heart still pumping from AJ Styles’ surprise entrance at the Royal Rumble? I
listened to his entrance music more times than I’m proud of. Luckily it’s a DMX
remix so it isn’t that weird to listen to, but I digress.
That
following night on Raw, Jericho and Styles got caught up in their own program
based around their respect for each other as wrestlers who have both fought all
around the world and as competitors who want to get the best of each other.
I’d expect
this match to be a showcase for the WWE newcomer with Y2J and Styles swapping
submission finishers and some big spots. It’ll be a fun match to watch, but
Jericho is here to put Styles over.
Prediction: AJ Styles
Kevin Owens vs. Dolph Ziggler – Intercontinental Championship
Kevin Owens
is helping bring legitimacy back to the mid-card titles. Sadly, his opponents
aren’t. With a depleted roster, the Intercontinental Champion hasn’t exactly
had a diverse group of challengers, that’s why we’re being treated to what
seems like the 87th matchup between these two. Kevin Owens is a main
event talent helping bolster a weak mid-card roster and Dolph always puts on
exciting matches, so it’ll be a good one. But in the end, expect Dolph to lose
the big one just like he always does.
Prediction: Kevin Owens
Charlotte vs. Brie Bella – Divas Championship
I never
thought I would get excited over a Brie Bella championship feud, but here we
are. Charlotte has cut some promos talking trash about Brie’s sister (Nikki)
and husband (Daniel Bryan) and how they’re both banged up pretty badly and what
not. I’m actually more impressed by Brie holding up her end of the deal. She’s
been cutting great promos and putting on some great matches, including a roll
up style victory against the champ on Raw. But with the rumors of Brie retiring this
summer being confirmed, don’t expect another Bella championship run, especially
with WrestleMania in our sights and the numerous other challengers chomping at
the bit for their shot at the title.
Prediction: Charlotte
Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose -- #1
Contender Match
I guess
what’s most exciting about this match is that even though Roman Reigns seems
like the obvious choice here, WWE has been able to add a sense of ambiguity to
the match. There is a believable case for each wrestler to win this match.
Brock is
clearly the most dominant wrestler in possibly the history of sports
entertainment. Paul Heyman cuts unbelievable promos and watching Lesnar ragdoll
opponents doesn’t get old. The build up between Lesnar and Triple H would be
sure to draw ratings and the match would be pretty legendary as well.
Roman
Reigns is the safe pick here. He has feuded with The Authority for longer than
I can remember ever since his former Shield mate, Seth Rollins (come back soon
please), cashed in at last years WrestleMania to become champ. The rivalry with
The Authority really picked up at Survivor Series when Seamus cashed in his
Money in the Bank briefcase to end Roman’s first Reign (hah) as champ at 5
minutes and 15 seconds. After becoming champ again, Roman was forced by The
Chairman of the Board, Vincent Kennedy McMahon, to defend the belt IN the Royal
Rumble where “surprise entry” Triple H eliminated Dean Ambrose to become
the champ.
Which brings me to my Besse’s Be Bolder Prediction of the Night,
brought to you by Butterfinger.
The safe
pick is, and always will be Roman Reigns. Until WWE feels that he is completely
over with the crowd, they will continue to shove him down our throats until we
eventually give in. That isn’t a knock at Roman, I’m actually a big fan, but
that’s the truth. But think about the reasons for Reigns being the obvious
winner here. Triple H and The Authority broke up The Shield. Seth Rollins
screwed him out of his title opportunity. The Authority has screwed him over
time and time again by doing whatever it takes just to keep the belt off of
him. But have those exact things not happened to Dean Ambrose as well? I mean,
obviously The Shield breaking up affected everybody, but let’s not forget Dean
Ambrose’s title shots as well. Remember the Dusty Finish at Elimination Chamber
when Dean pinned Rollins clean in the middle of the ring, just to have the ref
DQ Rollins instead? Or how about the finish to their Ladder Match at Money in
the Bank when Rollins and Ambrose grabbed the belt at the same time and the tie
went to Rollins? Don’t you think Ambrose has been waiting for another shot at
the belt? And let us not forget the end to this years Royal Rumble. It wasn’t
Reigns who was eliminated last by Triple H, was it? No. It was Ambrose, who had
Triple H hanging on for dear life on the apron before he flipped Ambrose over.
Don’t you think Ambrose has been waiting for his revenge? Ambrose is tired of
playing second fiddle to Roman, and he has proven that he isn’t afraid of Brock
Lesnar either. I mean, hasn’t the build up of this Triple Threat match been
mostly about Ambrose and Lesnar anyways? So before you go ahead and crown
Reigns the number one contender, just think about what I have to say.
Prediction (Head): Reigns
Prediction (Heart): Ambrose
P.S. The New Day currently don’t have a match scheduled.
Their only plans for the night are an appearance on Edge and Christian’s Peep
Show, which honestly might steal the show. But as good as these guys are on the
mic, we can’t go through and entire PPV without them defending the belts, so
expect a match to be announced during the Peep Show. The Uso’s are getting a
little stale and I doubt the Lucha Dragons will challenge. I’m predicting an
NXT call up like The Realest Guys, Enzo and Big Cass, to be introduced by Edge and
Christian as an immediate challenger for the titles to help build up a rather
weak tag team division. Bold, perhaps, but not the most ridiculous thing I’ve
ever said.
P.P.S. The Undertaker should be showing up soon for his annual WrestleMania match. Rumors are swirling that his opponent isn't even an active wrestler, so who knows how the build up to the match will go, but don't act too surprised if the lights go out and the Deadman's music plays on Sunday.
That’s all
I’ve got for Fastlane, folks. Agree? Disagree? You can find me on Twitter
@KButter_22 is you want to bully me over my picks or give me credit when Dean
Ambrose is main eventing WrestleMania.
- Little Besse
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