10/06/2023
Fastlane 2023 by Thomas Cacioppo Jr.
Growing up, PLEs (fka PPVs) was always known for where the titles would be defended. Rarely did we see titles being defended on Raw or Smackdown. Nowadays, we barely have every title be defended on a PLE. There was one storyline that Triple H and Stephanie made very clear to one specific wrestler about him being the WWE champion, and that wrestler was Daniel Bryan. They told him he must be able to defend the title every 90 days. If that's the case, multiple wrestlers should of been stripped since they didn't defend the title in said period. Hopefully after Fastlane, that changes. These are the last time the current champions defended their title, unless they are defending it at Fastlane (not counting house shows)
Seth Rollins - defending it Saturday
Roman Reigns - 8/5 against Jey Uso
Gunther - match was removed and put on Raw
Rey Mysterio - 9/29 against Santos Escobar
Iyo Sky - defending it
Rhea Ripley - 9/11 against Raquel Rodriguez
Judgment Day - defending it
Chelsea & Piper - they haven't defended it since they won it (Piper replaced Sonya Deville)
I'm not saying every title should be defended on a PLE, but this card seems like a high end Raw/Smackdown card to go up against MNF or another event that is the same night. This card should be good and very enjoyable, I am very curious on what some of these matches lead too.
John Cena & LA Knight vs The Bloodline
This match I feel is a fill in match with a big name to be on the PLE. I love seeing Cena wrestle again for his short run, but I believe this match has no gain for either team. What's next for Cena/Knight if the win? Maybe a possible future match. And what if the "Bloodline" wins, and yes i put the quotes because I don't consider them the Bloodline anymore. This match seems random but I hope this leads to a Cena/LA Knight match soon.
Winner - Cena & La Knight
Iyo Sky (c) vs Asuka vs Charlotte
This match is going to be great. I believe this match could be match of the night if booked correctly. Charlotte always has to be in the title picture but she is at the point in her career that she could put the other women over. Iyo should retain the title and move on to a new feud. The women's roster is small on Smackdown, but I would love to see a new feud not involving Asuka or Charlotte for Iyo.
Winner - Iyo Sky
Judgement Day (c) vs Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso
The feud between Judgement Day and Cody Rhodes/ Jey Uso/ Kevin Owens/ Sami Zayn has been on repeat every week on Raw for months now. It seems obvious now at this point we will be getting these guys in a War Games match in November. I am not against that match but I hope that match was sooner rather than later. This is also another match where I feel there isn't a "gain" for whoever wins. Judgement Day should not lose the titles, but also why should Jey Uso or Cody get pinned to lose? This match could possibly end in DQ just so no one gets pinned
Winner - by DQ Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso
BUT Judgement Day retains
LWO vs Bobby Lashley & Street Profits
This match I have no interest in watching. Santos and Rey put on a classic on Smackdown which 100% should have been on Fastlane card. After the match, they get jumped by the Street Profits and Bobby Lashley to set up this match. Street Profits being heel was a great move, but partnering them up with Bobby is a bad move. Street Profits don't need Bobby, Bobby needs the Street Profits. This could possibly be a squash match to make the Street Profits and Bobby Lashley look very strong.
Winner - Bobby Lashley & Street Profits
Seth Rollins (c) v Shinsuke Nakamura
This feud and build has been so amazing. The promos in Japanese from Nakamura makes the storyline so much better and having us invested in the feud. Seth Rollins and Nakamura chemistry in the ring is amazing also. This last man standing match is going to be insane. Only way the feud ends is if Seth wins on Saturday night. However, if Nakamura wins, Seth could argue on Raw that he was never pinned for the title to lose.
Winner - Seth Rollins
