2021 WWE Fastlane Review
We’re just one month away from Wrestle Mania and with the “Grandest Stage” looming, tensions are on high for the entire roster for Fastlane 2021.
Pre-Show:
Matt Riddle def. Mustafa Ali to retain the United States Championship.
Rating: 2.5/5
Retribution attacked, then walked out on Mustafa Ali.
Main Show:
Sasha Banks/Bianca Belair vs. Nia Jax/Shayna Baszler (c) - WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships
Fastlane opens with Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks (with some gorgeous matching gear) walking down to the ring to face the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax, along with Reginald.
After a quick video package, the match is underway.
Banks and Belair work together in the early going, but Baszler delivered a huge knee and targeted the signature long braid of Belair to take control.
A scary moment during Sasha Banks’ comeback happened when she hooked a DDT on Baszler with the intention of using Nia Jax as a launch to hit the move. Jax was out of position, therefore Banks had nothing to push off of and Baszler was awkwardly spiked into the mat.
Highlight: Banks has Baszler locked into the Bank Statement, but Jax pushed Belair into the pile, breaking up the submission.
Shayna Baszler picked up the roll-up victory while Banks and Belair were arguing over the earlier moment.
Rating: 2.5/5
Outside of the scary DDT spot, the match was solid with high-paced action. The miscommunication between Banks and Belair is a good way to really get their championship feud underway.
Backstage with Shane McMahon
A photo of McMahon injured in the ring —taken earlier tonight— was followed with McMahon walking out of the trainer’s room on crutches with an ice bag taped around his leg. He’s approached by Elias, who asks for an opportunity to be a part of Wrestle Mania. Shane ponders the possibilities.
Rating: 1/5
Elias is definitely about to wrestle Strowman tonight.
Apollo Crews vs. Big E (c) - Intercontinental Championship
After a great set of promos last week, this match has the build to main event this show if it were necessary.
This Big E is a more aggressive version than we’ve seen in his New Day tenure. Overhead throws, splashes and a spear through the ropes and to the floor all delivered in the first few minutes.
Apollo shows his own power though, with his suplexes doing serious damage. And in case you forgot how athletic Crews is, a frog splash for good measure.
A small package gone wrong ended this match, technically speaking. The referee got to three and rang the bell, but the action continued. Commentary acknowledged but quickly moved on, and the competitors maintained their scheduled bout.
After a further beat down from Crews to Big E, and some confusion, it was declared that Big E has retained his championship in a draw.
Rating: 1.5/5
Despite a really fun, heavy-hitting match between these two, the finish could not have been what was planned for these two. Disappointing.
Braun Strowman vs. Elias
Shane McMahon, Elias and Jaxson Ryker stand in the ring. As Elias begins to play his guitar, Shane cuts him off and tells him that he’ll be taking Shane’s place tonight.
Strowman is dominant early and likely would have dominated throughout if not for the involvement of Ryker. Still, though, Strowman picks up the relatively easy victory.
Rating: 2/5
A decent way to push the McMahon vs. Strowman matchup to Wrestle Mania, though I am still not sure why it’s happening at all.
Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
It’s good to hear “Burn it Down” as Rollins walks down the ramp. It’s even better to see Shinsuke Nakamura’s charismatic self in meaningful singles competition.
These two are known to be two of the best in-ring performers in the entire WWE, and the early action definitely put their talents on display. These two have rarely worked together before, but have great in-ring chemistry.
Rollins attacked the midsection with a myriad of offense, all the while trash-talking in reference to his rivalry with Cesaro. He even attempted to swing Nakamura as Cesaro does.
This match was very back and forth, both superstars showing off their offensive arsenal
After some innovative footwork and a huge curb stomp, Rollins picks up the W.
Rating: 3.5/5
This match very well might have stolen the show, definitely the best match so far.
Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre - No Holds Barred
This 20-year friendship is officially over tonight, with these two warriors finally locking horns on PPV.
McIntyre’s done his face up like William Wallace from Braveheart, painted of Scottish heritage. He’s ready for war.
This match’s stipulation quickly reared its head as the fight went outside and the referee followed, rather than begun his count-out.
Highlight: Drew McIntyre driving a kendo stick into the eye socket of Sheamus after beating him with it.
Sheamus and McIntyre fought all the way into the production area, exploring the vast Thunderdome.
McIntyre used a storage crate to wheel the body of Sheamus back towards the ring area, which I enjoyed.
Highlight: Sheamus hitting white noise off the barricade and through the announce table.
McIntyre picked up the victory with a Future Shock DDT onto a stray piece of announce table, followed by a Claymore.
Rating: 3/5
Although this match was brutal, savage even, it didn’t do all that much different from their previous No DQ match just one week ago. Law of diminishing returns, perhaps.
Alexa Bliss vs. Randy Orton
Here come some shenanigans.
Before Alexa even comes down to the ring, Randy Orton starts spitting up black sludge during his entrance.
Now Alexa makes her way down, and the arena lighting goes purple.
The bell rings, Orton approaches Bliss and is met with fire in his face. Outside of the ring, Orton approaches again, a lighting fixture falls in front of him.
A few minutes in, and these two “competitors” have not yet made physical contact.
Bliss tries to hit Orton with another fireball, but Orton dodged it.
The Fiend’s burnt hand rips through the canvas from underneath and grabs Orton’s ankle. Like a horror film, The Fiend emerges.
The Fiend hits Sister Abigail, and Bliss picks up the victory.
Rating: 1/5
I’d give this waste of time a 0/5, if not for The Fiend’s long-awaited return.
Daniel Bryan vs. Roman Reigns (c) - Universal Championship
Edge is the Special Ringside Enforcer
Main event time, Smackdown’s three biggest stars are here to headline the final PPV before Wrestle Mania. The winner will face Edge at that very event.
Fun Fact: This is actually a rematch from the inaugural Fastlane, where Roman Reigns defeated Daniel Bryan to go on to face Brock Lesnar at Wrestle Mania 31.
With the power advantage leaving in the favor of the champion, Daniel Bryan looks to use his amateur grappling abilities to chain together submissions early on. Reigns, however, manages to use his size and strength to reach the ropes.
Psychologically, Bryan seems to have a major advantage as he toys with Reigns. But some headbutts from Bryan put a stop to that.
And now begins the pounding from Reigns, as Edge looks on.
Some combat on the outside nears a double count-out, with a back and forth ascending to Bryan being sent into the post.
Highlight: Daniel Bryan goes for a top-rope hurricanrana, but Roman stops it by catching Bryan with ONE HAND.
A bit of the over-aggressive “New” Daniel Bryan in some of the offense tonight, specifically with the standing stomps to the head of the champion. Bryan put on an absolute show tonight with his stiff strikes and submissions.
Highlight: Daniel Bryan goes for the running knee, but Roman moves, and the referee is taken out.
Reigns hits the spear on DB, and Edge makes the two-count but Bryan kicks out.
Jey Uso runs down to the ring, hits a superkick on Edge and Bryan. All hell’s broken loose, there are no officially remaining. Uso takes out Edge before eating a knee from Bryan.
DB takes the steel chair from Uso and accidentally hits Edge with it. He then locks Roman back into the Yes Lock.
Reigns taps out. Nobody is there to see it.
Edge hits Bryan with the steel chair, forcing Bryan to let go of his hold. He’s ruined the main event.
A new referee finally emerges. Roman crawls over to the body of Bryan and picks up the pinfall.
Rating: 4/5
What a performance from these two, wrestling for over 40 minutes with the best action of the night. Moving parts, storytelling — it all fell into place in this main event.
Overall
Rating: 2.3/5
This show had its ups and downs. A couple of notches finished mixed in with some really strong in-ring competition. I loved the main event, and I want more Main Event Daniel Bryan.